Highlanders player ratings vs Chiefs | Super Rugby Aotearoa
For the first time in the history of Super Rugby Aotearoa, a match has been decided by golden point. In a crucial contest in the context of both teams’ seasons, the Highlanders lost a thriller against the Chiefs 26-23 in extra time.
Both teams scored one try each in the first-half, with the Highlanders try being arguably the pick of the two. Flanker James Lentjes scored off a well worked set-piece play. But as the match went on, the Chiefs seemed to be in control.
But the Highlanders didn’t give up. After trailing by 10-points late, replacement Josh Ioane scored all the points needed to draw the two teams level, and eventually send the sides into extra time. Ioane then missed a drop goal in the 84th minute which would’ve won the match for his side.
In the end though, a long-range Damian McKenzie penalty decided the match.
Here’s how the Highlanders rated.
1. Ethan de Groot – 6.5/10
The Highlanders were solid at the scrum against the Chiefs, and Ethan de Groot’s rating is somewhat a reflection of that. While the prop had three runs and made five tackles, he made his mark at the set-piece in my opinion. His opposite, Angus Ta’avao, was penalised in the 18th minute for going down at the scrum – with the Highlanders loosehead applying great pressure.
2. Ash Dixon – 7.5
As he often is, Dixon was one of the standouts for the Highlanders this week. Not only did he hit all but one target when throwing into the lineout, he also impressed with his efforts around the park. The co-captain had made a team-high nine tackles by the time he was subbed off after 58 minutes, and also had four runs.
3. Josh Hohneck – 6.5
In his first start for the Highlanders this season, Hohneck was reliable both at the set-piece and in defence. When he was subbed off in the second-half, the tighthead prop had made six tackles, which was equal third for the hosts at the time. Also, as mentioned in de Groot’s rating, the Highlanders also performed well at the scrum.
The Chiefs have edged the Highlanders 26-23 in the first Super Rugby Aotearoa match to enter golden point extra-time. #HIGvCHI #SuperRugbyAotearoa https://t.co/Zr39l1qfG3
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 10, 2021
4. Bryn Evans – 7
As well as being one of the primary options at the lineout for the Highlanders, Evans was generally impressive around the field. The lock passed a short ball to Shannon Frizell, which led to Aaron Smith’s try early in the second half. His work rate around the field also deserves some praise.
5. Pari Pari Parkinson – 6.5
Parkinson returned from a length injury spell a couple of weeks ago, and has impressed since. But unfortunately for the 24-year-old, it seems like he’s hurt again. The second-rower went down injured in the 24th minute, but stayed on the park. Parkinson won a crucial penalty for his side in the 39th minute, getting over the ball at the breakdown with the Chiefs five metres out from the try-line. But following this, he looked worse for wear and was replaced soon after.
6. Shannon Frizell – 8
In my opinion, Frizell was the best player for the Highlanders against the Chiefs, in fact, it’s not even a debate. As well as proving to be a reliable option at the lineout, he got busy around the park. The blindside flanker had a team-high 12 runs (for 27 metres), and he made 10 tackles which was the equal most for the game alongside Chiefs flanker Mitch Brown. Frizell also had a try assist early in the second-half, sending Aaron Smith over for a score.
7. James Lentjes – 7.5
Lentjes was one of the standouts for the Highlanders against the Chiefs. Most notably, the flanker crossed for his sides first points of the match 10 minutes into the contest, scoring off a sublime set-piece play. Overall, he ran for 28 metres, and made an impressive eight tackles – which was the second most tackles made of any Highlanders player when he was subbed off.
The Highlanders forward pack have worked in tandem to fool an All Blacks star and pull off a wonderful set piece try against the Chiefs. #HIGvCHI #SuperRugbyAotearoa https://t.co/dmzgZB98dV
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 10, 2021
8. Kazuki Himeno – 7.5
Himeno was one of the hardest working Highlanders players on Saturday night. He had the second-most runs of any player on the night with nine (for 32 metres), and the Number Eight also made five tackles.
9. Aaron Smith – 7.5
In game number 156, the scrumhalf was once again a top performer. Not only was his passing quick and reliable – but seriously, when is it not – but he also crossed for a try early in the second-half. Smith sent the ball wide right, then ran a line in anticipation of a potential line-break. Frizell broke through and offloaded the ball to Smith, who helped bring the two teams level at that stage.
10. Mitch Hunt – 7
It was a tough night for goal kickers at Forsyth Barr Stadium, so unfortunately for Mitch Hunt, my rating of him somewhat reflects that. He did, however, knock over one conversation and one penalty. Other than that, he kicked well enough out of hand and helped lead the Highlanders in attack. Hunt had six runs for 53 metres, 11 passes, and made five tackles.
11. Jona Nareki – 6
Unfortunately, Nareki didn’t get the chance to replicate his heroics from the last time these two teams met, where he scored a hat-trick. Instead, he had three runs for no metres, but passed the ball six times. Nareki did kick well out of hand though.
12. Scott Gregory – 7
Lining up at inside centre this week, Gregory struggled to make an impact in the first-half. But in the second-half, he was a lot better. Not only did he have a lineout reception in the 42nd minute off an intentional overthrow – which led to Aaron Smith’s try, but he also got busy in attack and defence. He finished with four runs for 23 metres, and made six tackles.
13. Patelesio Tomkinson – 6.5
While the ball didn’t seem to come Tomkinson’s way too much (three runs for six metres), he made some effective tackles which deserves some credit. He made the most tackles of any back on the night, with seven, by the time he was subbed off.
14. Ngatungane Punivai – 6.5
The ball just didn’t seem to come the wingers way in the first 25-minutes. His first notable involvement appeared to be a lineout reception in the 26th minute, with Ash Dixon aiming for him beyond the lineout. While he had another reception in the 50th minute, that’s not his core job. As the match went on, he got more chances, eventually finishing with six runs for 11 metres.
15. Connor Garden-Bachop – 6.5
While he didn’t get many opportunities to impress on Saturday night in my opinion, I was impressed with the courage Garden-Bachop showed under the high ball. He also passed and kicked well enough, in what was another solid showing from the rookie sensation.
Reserves:
16. Liam Coltman – 6
17. Ayden Johnstone – 6.5
In the 49th minute, the replacement prop won a major penalty with the Chiefs only a few metres out from the line.
18. Siate Tokolahi – 7
Made seven tackles off the bench, which was better than 11 Highlanders starters.
19. Josh Dickson – 6.5
20. Billy Harmon – 6
21. Kayne Hammington – N/A
22. Josh Ioane – 7
With the Highlanders trailing by 10, Ioane came off the bench and scored a crucial try in the 70th minute. A penalty from Ioane in the 77th minute eventually saw the teams locked at 23-all, and sent the match into golden point. Had the chance to win the match in extra time though, but missed the attempt in the 84th.
23. Hugh Renton – 6
Comments on RugbyPass
The shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
56 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
8 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
61 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to comments