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Highlanders player ratings vs Brumbies | Super Rugby Trans-Tasman
The Highlanders travelled to the Australian capital, Canberra, to take on the might of the ACT Brumbies on Friday evening with the locals eager to claim their second Kiwi scalp in as many weeks. The Highlanders entered the match with history on their side, winning their last five encounters with the Brumbies, ensuring the clash would be a willing affair.
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That ascendency remained after a physical encounter that saw the Highlanders take the match 33-12, giving themselves a chance at making the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Final.
This is how the Highlanders rated:
1. Ethan De Groot – 7/10
A performance that gave us a greater insight into the emerging talent this man is. He was strong at the set-piece and physical in defence, as one would expect, yet his ability to play as a receiver and distributor was also on display. Despite a discipline lapse he put in a very credible shift.
2. Ash Dixon – 7.5
Does he know how to play a bad game? Industrious, aggressive, determined – all terms that apply to his performance in Canberra. Deserved his try. Quality shift by a quality leader and player.
3. Siate Tokolahi – 7
Was a real handful in the set-piece tonight against a seasoned Wallaby veteran. Yet there more to his effort than just his scrumagging and showed he is more than a simple one-dimensional player.
4. Bryn Evans – 7.5
Playing some wonderful rugby at the twilight of his career. It is a real credit to see how he has adapted his body and game to still be such a relevant player in 2021. Was a real thorn in the side of the Brumbies at the lineout.
5. Pari Pari Parkinson – 7
Main man for the Highlanders lineout, delivering quality possession. Enjoyed his work around the park and was held up over the line on a raid in the first half. Probably not as effective in defence as he has been but that aside, a real contributor all-round.
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6. Hugh Renton – 7
Diligent in his duties without being spectacular. Appears to have removed the ‘bluff and bluster’ from his game and simply got on with the work required. Rewarded with two turnovers tonight for his efforts.
7. Billy Harmon – 6.5
A decent shift by the openside, topped off by securing a nice team try off a lineout set play. Was guilty of infringing at times but generally won plenty of shoulder battles in tight and did his bit as any good 7 should.
It was likely the last game for a number of Hurricanes players – including superstar Ngani Laumape. Who were the team's best on the night? #SuperRugbyTT #HURvREDhttps://t.co/TLl4wIRyNk
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 12, 2021
8. Kazuki Himeno – 6.5
Worked his way into the game after appearing a little absent in the opening exchanges. A handful with the ball in hand and worked well around the recycle with his fellow back-rowers.
9. Aaron Smith – 8
Point-of-difference player tonight scoring two tries but they were just rewards for a consummate performance by the All Black No 9. As always, his ability to make the most effective decisions on both sides of the ball sets him apart, a couple of dicey box kicks aside.
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10. Mitch Hunt – 6
Not his greatest night, being exposed defensively at times, but still showed he is the right man for the 10 jumper for the Highlanders as he doesn’t go into his shell if things don’t go his way. A real fighter and we saw that in spades against the Brumbies.
11. Jona Nareki – 6.5
Was dangerous at times and threatened to take the game apart but didn’t take that next step.
12. Scott Gregory – 6
A fair effort and re-aligned his teams attack nicely. Was exposed a few times with defensive misreads but all things considered, he did his bit.
13. Michael Collins – 6.5
Made some really good decisions with the ball in hand but was also prone to not respecting possession at times and took low percentage options. Like his centre partner he did his job and kept a potent Brumbies side honest.
14. Patelesio Tomkinson – 6
Mixed bag for him. Deserved a try but wasn’t always on the right side of the effort on defence.
15. Josh Ioane – 6
Had moments and didn’t look out of place at 15, but was clearly second to the Brumbies Tom Banks in the battle of the fullbacks.
Was a sin-binning appropriate, or should the Hurricanes have been punished more severely for this tackle? #SuperRugbyTT #HURvREDhttps://t.co/TccAHF7en5
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 12, 2021
Reserves:
16. Liam Coltman – 6.5
Come on and brought a bit of spark, ensuring the Brumbies didn’t edge their way back into the match by using his experience to help bring the Highlanders home.
17. Ayden Johnstone – 6.5
Thought he scrummaged well at times and really caused the Brumbies a few issues there.
18. Josh Hohneck – 6
Gave away a silly penalty but the match was won by then.
19. Josh Dickson – 6
Contributed nicely and kept the momentum.
20. James Lentjes – N/A
Didn’t see enough.
21. Kayne Hammington – N/A
Came on for the final seconds of the match.
22. Sam Gilbert – 6
Involved himself defensively but should have enjoyed more time.
23: Teariki Ben-Nicholas – N/A
Didn’t see enough.
Comments on RugbyPass
I’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
4 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
6 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
8 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
8 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
4 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to comments