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Highlanders player ratings vs Blues | Super Rugby Pacific
The winless Highlanders were looking to get their season going against Blues on Friday at North Harbour Stadium. Besides competition points, the two teams were contesting the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy.
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The Highlanders hung tough in the first half to go in ahead at halftime. In the second stanza, the game opened up, as the Blues lifted their intensity when Taine Plumtree scored back-to-back tries. The Blues pulled further ahead and the Highlanders were not able to fire a shot besides a late try from Shannon Frizell.
It was an extraordinary end to the game with each team chasing an elusive bonus point. The game went for 90 minutes with the Blues surviving a last-ditch effort from the Landers.
Here’s how the Highlanders rated:
1. Ethan De Groot – 6.5/10
The All Blacks rookie formed a handy partnership with Jermaine Ainsley to hold up the scrum and set the platform for the Highlanders outside backs. Big wraps on this kid.
2. Liam Coltman – 5.5
The veteran hooker toiled away in the rucks and helped out at scrum time. Bottled a Highlanders lineout five metres out from the Blues line right on half time. Blues stole three lineouts when he was on the field.
3. Jermaine Ainsley – 7
Going from strength to strength every game. He was powerful in the scrum and gave the Landers opportunities to launch their attack from set-piece.
4. Manaaki Selby-Rickit – 6
Was targeted in the lineout a few times. Was in everything at breakdown time to support his forwards. Replaced by Bryn Evans.
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5. Josh Dickson – 6
Put in the hard yards and lasted for the full 80 minutes and more. Was tireless around the park and made himself a regular target at the lineout with his big frame, securing the pill three times.
6. Shannon Frizell – 7.5
Was strong over the ball to win the Highlanders some important penalties. Showed nice skills by breaking the line and getting the ball away to his support. Busted right through the middle to score in the 73rd minute.
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7. Gareth Evans – 7
Playing at openside flanker, Evans was influential at the breakdown, with three turnovers. A big body in the Highlanders backrow, he made his presence field across the park. Could make the move to the side of the scrum permanent.
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8. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u – 7
Showed his physicality all night and got through a mountain of defensive work. Wasn’t as dynamic as we know he can be, but a good performance from the back of the scrum.
9. Aaron Smith – 7.5
Captaining the side, he brought the tempo from the opening kickoff. It’s nothing less than what we have come to expect from the veteran Highlander. Saved a certain try by stripping the ball from Caleb Clarke as he was going over to score. As hard as he tried, he couldn’t drag his team to win.
10. Mitch Hunt – 5.5
Was well contained by the Blues rush defence which shut down his options out wide and didn’t allow him to click into gear. His kicking options were poor and it culminated in his final two kick-offs not going ten metres.
11. Mosese Dawai – 6.5
Was solid in defence on the left wing but didn’t find himself in space very often. There were glimpses of his power and pace when the match opened up a bit in the second half.
12. Thomas Umaga Jensen – 7
Showed plenty of strength and power by busting through the line on numerous occasions. Attacked the Blues 10-12 channel for the Landers and was a handful for the opposition. Unfortunately went off injured and the Landers missed him.
13. Scott Gregory – 5
Didn’t offer much impact in the midfield. Was dogged in defence but a few lapses in judgement went against him. A poor clearing kick set up Plumtree’s second try, and that seemed to open the floodgates for the Blues.
14. Liam Coombes Fabling – 5.5
Following a match to forget against the Canes, he redeemed himself by injecting himself where he could and was solid under the high ball. Had a tough assignment marking Caleb Clarke. Was replaced by Marty Banks shortly after halftime.
15. Connor Garden Bachop – 6
Was solid at the back but wasn’t able to inject himself as much as he would have liked. Moved to the wing in the second half to accommodate Banks at fullback.
Reserves:
16. Andrew Makalio – N/A
17. Daniel Lienert-Brown – 6.5
Got on the field in the second half and carried hard with ball in hand.
18. Josh Hohneck – N/A
Got plenty of minutes in the second half. Played his role admirably.
19. Bryn Evans – 6
The wily veteran joined his brother in the 60th minute.
20. Hugh Renton – N/A
Came on to pack down on the side of the scrum.
21. Folau Fakatava – N/A
Got on the field in the 75th minute and immediately kicked possession back to the Blues. Still had plenty of minutes to make something happen with the game going into extra time.
22. Marty Banks – 6.5
Came on after halftime to inject an extra playmaker into the game. Slotted into first receiver to combine with Mitch Hunt. Peeled off a massive kick into the corner to set up the Highlanders but they couldn’t capitalise on it.
23. Ngatungane Punivai – 7
Punivai returned from injury to add some impact of the bench. Carried hard through the middle of the field to give the Highlanders momentum late in the second half.
Comments on RugbyPass
Ardie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
11 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
11 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
11 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
11 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
11 Go to comments