Highlanders player ratings vs Drua | Super Rugby Pacific
Just when the injury woes for the Highlanders looked to be easing, four players go down in the 24 hours before theri round five match kicks off. An entirely new midfield combination was needed as well as a new lock and No 8.
The Fijian Drua are likely the last team you want to face when you’re depth is being tested by injury and this match was certainly a test of all players’ physicality and fitness. The game was rapid in the opening 40, line breaks regularly resulted in 50-meter runs and there were tries galore.
Young players filling in for the Highlanders stepped up across the park while the Fijians provided some typical magic moments. The Highlanders survived the early back and forth to take a commanding halftime lead of 33-12.
The second 40 was more of an arm wrestle, points were a little harder to come by which meant the tries that were scored were even more impressive. Despite being down, the Drua looked dangerous throughout and always pose a comeback threat so Highlanders coach Clarke Dermody will be pleased to see some young Highlanders make the plays to keep a lid on the game. Fulltime score: 57-24.
Here’s how the Highlanders rated:
1. Ethan de Groot – 7.5
Perhaps lucky once or twice at scrum time but otherwise enjoyed dominance in that contest. Produced a strong finish through two Fijian defenders to score the Highlanders’ second try. His physicality stood up well against the tough Fijian pack.
2. Leni Apisai – 8
Made some strong runs and really asserted himself on the match, almost to the point of injury but the Super Rugby veteran played through the pain and put in a huge shift. Got through 12 tackles.
3. Jermaine Ainsley – 7.5
Showed great timing and positioning to score the Highlanders’ first try. Ainsley stood up physically and performed well at scrum time. He made himself known in the rolling mauls, dragging his men forward and holding off Fijian disruptors.
4. Pari Pari Parkinson – 7
The injury-prone Parkinson looked to have taken another knock in this one but soldiered on past halftime, maintaining his strong work in the lineout and set piece.
5. Will Tucker – 7.5
One of the late call-ups for this match, Tucker got through a mountain of work defensively with 15 tackles.
6. Sean Withy – 8
A huge effort from Withy, equalling Will Tucker’s mark of 15 tackles but without a miss to his name. He was involved around the wider fringes on attack too, showing his agility to facilitate the winger’s runs and kept up with the plays well to secure the ball. Put in a number of big hits at key moments.
7. Billy Harmon (c) – 7.5
A mixed performance from the captain, with some great work on defence and some lacklustre moments. Was penalised three times. Keeping a team composed and firing against the Drua is a tough ask and Harmon deserves plenty of credit for that.
8. Nikora Broughton – 8.5
An early knock-on but found some great lines to run and made a massive amount of meters, playing a huge role in many of the Highlanders’ scoring opportunities. Had some strong moments in defence but also was caught out by some Fijian plays. A chip-through for Cam Millar’s try showed the skillset and instincts that has Higlanders fans so excited for Broughton’s future.
9. Aaron Smith – 9
Smith’s ability to be so dominant regardless of the style of game is truly special. He made the frantic nature of the match look natural and pulled the strings of his attack superbly throughout. A sniping run off the ruck five meters out saw him beat three players to score.
10. Mitch Hunt – 6.5
Hunt’s skillset for game management didn’t find much influence over such a wild match, but the No 10 still managed some class touches. Defensively, Hunt’s size was targetted by the Drua and he struggled in a number of interactions.
11. Jonah Lowe – 7.5
Lowe managed to contribute some playmaking in the match, running around players in field and putting his side in good positions. Even his indecision payed off for the Highlanders as he darted left and right behind th breakdown and eventually set up Cam Millar’s try.
12. Jake Te Hiwi – N/A
An energised start was unfortunately cut short, off in the 11th minute.
13. Fetuli Paeab – 8
Was tested in defence early by the explosive Fijian backs but Paea was up to the challenge, managing his distance well to make the tackles. Continued his strong work throughout and made some big plays, especially on the defensive end.
14. Martin Bogado – 8
The Argentine’s physicality came into its own against the Drua. Bogado kept his composure in the face of some heavy defence and imposed himself on the match, limping over for a well-earned try.
15. Sam Gilbert – 9
Gilbert got plenty of practice off the tee in this one and managed a decent success rate. He spent just ten minutes at fullback before being moved up into the midfield and didn’t skip a beat. An unorthodox charge down led to a great effort try. Won a turnover to start the second half.
Replacements:
16. Jack Taylor – 6.5
17. Daniel Lienert-Brown – 7.5
18. Saula Ma’u – 7
19. Josh Bekhuis – 7
20. James Lentjes – 7
21. Folau Fakatava – 7.5
22. Cameron Millar – 7
Some bright moments and some mistakes for the youngster, but he’ll remember the match for his try.
23. Connor Garden-Bashcop – 8
On early and quickly had a positive influence on the match. Was unfortunate to be yellow-carded in the 30th minute. Was darting around with his typical enthusiasm and intent making the most of the opportunities in front of him.
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’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.
11 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.
24 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.
10 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…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 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?
5 Go to comments