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Highlanders player ratings vs Crusaders - Super Rugby Aotearoa
Super Rugby Aotearoa is back for another year with the Highlanders falling to the Crusaders 13-26 in the opening match of the season.
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Across the first twenty minutes, the Highlanders played all the rugby but the Crusaders scored all the points.
Two tries in three minutes to Codie Taylor and Bryn Hall saw the reigning champions run out to an early 14-0 lead, before the hosts struck back 10 minutes later through Shannon Frizell. But even though the Highlanders got close, the Crusaders were just too good.
The Highlanders can still take plenty of positives out of the match though, with wingers Connor Garden-Bachop and Jona Nareki particularly standing out. Here’s how the Highlanders rated against the Crusaders at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
15. SOLOMON ALAIMALO – 7/10
Playing his first Super Rugby match for the Highlanders, Alaimalo put in a solid shift. Every time the fullback got his hands on the ball, he looked a chance of creating something, but was instead pretty well contained by the Crusaders defence – held to just 19 metres run (all stats according to ESPN).
14. CONNOR GARDEN-BACHOP – 8
Garden-Bachop is an exciting young prospect, who took his chances when they were given to him. He crossed for the hosts’ second try of the night, and his first in Super Rugby. All he had to do was run in support of his teammate, and then back his pace. He had run the most metres of any Highlanders player at half-time, and had the most carries of any player on the night.
13. NGATUNGANE PUNIVAI – 6
At half-time, Punivai had made 0 tackles from two attempts. He had also conceded a turnover. At the time he had also run just one metre from a single carry. Considering the possession that the hosts had in the first-half, it wasn’t a great showing from the 22-year-old. His second-half was a little better though, finishing with 10 metres run from four carries.
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12. PATELESIO TOMKINSON – 6.5
While he made more of an impact in the second-half, Tomkinson was also off on Friday night in my view. His work rate was great, but he couldn’t quite make anything happen.
11. JONA NAREKI – 8.5
For me, it’s not even a question – Nareki was the best Highlander on ground. He kicked well when called upon, and was powerful whenever he got his hands on the ball – constantly looking threatening. Nareki made the Highlander’s second try of the night, breaking through the Crusaders defence before sending Garden-Bachop over for a score.
The Highlanders have opened Super Rugby Aotearoa with a bang by performing a haka ahead of the first match of the new season. #SuperRugbyAotearoa #HIGvCRU https://t.co/7Fm7s43knu
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 26, 2021
10. MITCH HUNT – 7
Arguably a controversial selection to see Hunt picked ahead of Josh Ioane in the starting side, but his leadership and patience in attack (at times) mostly justified his selection. He did kick plenty of ball away, opting for cross-field kicks on a couple of occasions. It was excellent play from the pivot that led to Garden-Bachop’s try, with a perfectly timed short ball to Nareki.
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9. AARON SMITH – 7
Round one wasn’t Smith’s best showing in a Highlander’s jersey, but that’s not to say that he didn’t have his moments. Let’s start with the bad; at times during the first-half in particular, he lacked composure, making a few errors with his passing game. But on the flip side of that, a trademark pass from the scrumhalf got the Highlanders back into the contest. Down 14-0, a fast and accurate pass saw Frizell cross for a try – there was nothing the Crusaders could do about it, the try was practically all but scored as soon as the ball left Smith’s hands.
8. MARINO MIKAELE TU’U – 7.5
When he went off, the 23-year-old had had the most carries of any player with nine – his work rate was impressive. The number eight laid the platform for Frizell’s try with some work off the back of the scrum. He drew Crusaders players right with a run off the back, before Aaron Smith sent the ball the other way with a great pass. Generally he was threatening in attack. Still, one tackle made and another missed, as well as two turnovers conceded, didn’t make for a great night defensively.
7. BILLY HARMON – 7
The former Crusader was reliable for the Highlanders in the opening round of the new season, especially in defence where he made a team high 11 tackles. With the hosts down 5-14, and the Crusaders hot on attack five minutes before the break, Harmon won a pivotal penalty at the breakdown – a key moment at that stage.
6. SHANNON FRIZELL – 7
Frizell may have crossed for a try in the 26th minute, but he wasn’t near his best overall. He ran for just three meters from three carries, made six tackles and conceded two turnovers. But with that try, he still had some work to do to cross so that can’t go unrecognised.
5. JACK REGAN – 6.5
The Irishman struggled to make a significant impact on the contest. He ran for 0 metres from two carries, and made just four tackles.
The Crusaders have opened their Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign with a tightly-contested 26-13 victory over the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin. #SuperRugbyAotearoa #HIGvCRU https://t.co/Q7LhwyT1rP
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 26, 2021
4. JOSH DICKSON – 7.5
There’s a reason why Dickson was rated by five RugbyPass writers as being one of the top 10 locks in Super Rugby at the moment – he’s a pivotal cog to the Highlanders machine. The 26-year-old was the primary option for the hosts at the lineout, and really impressed with his work rate – constantly in and around the play, especially during the first-half.
3. SIATE TOKOLAHI – 6.5
While the Highlanders struggled at scrum time against the Crusaders, Tokolahi was still impressive. In defence he made his mark with six tackles, including a near try saver against Crusaders winger Sevu Reece. In the 48th minute, he was caught one on one with the proven try scorer only a couple of metres out from the line. It was a sensational effort from the prop that was millimetres away from stopping Reece.
2. ASH DIXON – 7.5
Playing in his 100th Super Rugby match, Dixon did his job to a very high standard against the Crusaders. The Highlanders co-captain was perfect throwing into the lineout, with the hosts winning 10 lineouts from 10 off his throws.
1. DANIEL LIENERT-BROWN – 6
With names like Moody, Taylor and Alaalatoa in the Crusaders set-piece, it was always going to be a tough test to overcome at scrum time for the Highlanders. For the most part they were outclassed, which can’t reflect well on the tight five. While Lienert-Brown did get his hands on the ball and do his job in defence, the set-piece is largely a reflection of his performance for me.
RESERVES
16. LIAM COLTMAN – 6.5
17. JOSH HOHNECK – 5.5
18. JEFF THWAITES – 5.5
19. BRYN EVANS – n/a
20. LIAM SQUIRE – 7
It’s great to see Liam Squire back in Highlanders colours, for the first time since 2019. He had a chance to score late but couldn’t’ quite reel in a cross-field kick. Ran for 25 metres off then bench, and made four tackles – considering he was subbed on with just over 15 to play, it’s not a bad effort from the flanker.
21. FOLAU FAKATAVA – 6.5
22. JOSH IOANE – 6.5
23. HUGH RENTON – 6.5
Comments on RugbyPass
It couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
44 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
58 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to comments