Highlanders player ratings vs Hurricanes | Super Rugby Aotearoa
The Hurricanes broke their three-match losing streak in the last round-robin game of Super Rugby Aotearoa with a 41-22 victory over the Highlanders. It was their first win at home for the season.
The match was a niggly affair with some irritating scuffles between passages of skill and spirited play. After a reasonable first half, the Highlanders found it difficult to contain Ngani Laumape and Salesi Rayasi who both ran over 100 metres and as the co-captain Aaron Smith said in the post-match interview, “we’re looking forward to playing someone who is not Kiwi”. The trans-Tasman competition starts in a fortnight.
Here’s how the Highlanders rated.
1. Ethan de Groot – 7/10
The young 22-year-old was strong again. Put in a good effort in the first scrum that yielded a penalty and you could see from the look in his eyes that he was looking forward to his day at the office. Offside in 13th minute but won another couple of scrum penalties. Off at 48.
2. Ash Dixon – 7
Looked energised after the bye. Took some delight in cleaning out barnacles like Du’Plessis Kirifi at the breakdown in the first half. He was still working hard at 58 when he went over for the try and then was subbed.
3. Siate Tokolahi – 7
Some solid tight work, anchoring the dominant scrum in the first half. His eyes must have lit up before he smashed Princep at 47 and led the rolling maul that resulted in Dixon’s try. Off at 58.
4. Bryn Evans – 6.5
Beavered away in the tight, the highlight in the open was the incredible chase of Luke Campbell then got quickly back to his feet for the turnover.
5. Josh Dickson – 6.5
Finished the Highlanders’ first try after a surging attack. Did his core role well with takes and tackles galore, off at 65.
6. Shannon Frizell – 7
In the 17th minute, he really got into top gear alongside Kazuki Himeno to power the Highlanders over for a try to Dickson. His numbers all season have been insane and he can add 18 carries and 14 tackles to the mountain of stats. He’ll be relishing the prospect of bullying some Aussie defensive lines in the month to come.
7. Billy Harmon – 6
A little cute with trying to wind up Dane Coles and was penalised himself at 36 minutes. And that led to the try by who else but Dane Coles. Lovely hot stepping in the lead up to the Sam Gilbert try that was disallowed and in general showed some good ball skills.
The Hurricanes have scored a big win over the Highlanders in Wellington – but was the collective effort better than the individual performances on the night? #SuperRugbyAotearoa #HURvHIGhttps://t.co/U1JmQiwiYu
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 30, 2021
8. Kazuki Himeno – 6
Has been a revelation with strong running and soft hands. Good turnover in the 13th minute and a couple of successful carries in the 18th that led to Dickson’s try. Ended up with 40 metres off 6 carries, that’s a good run rate! Strayed with his discipline at 32 minutes with an offside and a tackle indiscretion. Didn’t start the second half well with a knock-on from the kickoff that led to the Laumape try and then off at 48.
9. Aaron Smith – 7
Good general work around the paddock and a very smart rugby player. When you watch the passages leading up to the Gilbert no-try you could see his expertise in picking out the right runners. Couldn’t beat Laumape in a foot race for his try at the start of the second half. Off at 73.
10. Mitch Hunt – 5.5
He’s such an important cog in the Highlanders machine but he couldn’t dictate proceedings tonight. He added the Coles elbow to his facial beauty regime. Got a massage from Coles in the 16th minute after a slightly high tackle and was yellow-carded himself.
11. Jona Nareki – 6
A magic run and pass in the 8th minute and got himself a try in the 29th, tried some archery with a nice post-try pose and it looked as though it was going to be his night. But like his team, lost his way in the second half and got the dropsies towards the end of the game.
12. Scott Gregory – 5.5
He’s growing into the 12 jersey. A tough prospect to tackle when he runs straight, and a good long pass to Nareki for his try. Missed a tackle on Kirifi that led to the Devan Flanders try and put in an aimless kick at 67 off his left foot that released Salesi Rayasi on a dangerous run.
13. Patelesio Tomkinson – 5
Solid turnover at 14 minutes. Came off second best on Peter Umaga-Jenson’s hip at 63 minutes and off for the night. Looks more suited to second five and hasn’t looked at home at 13.
14. Sam Gilbert – 7
Handy player to have come back from injury at this stage of a long season. Took over the punting duties while Hunt was off for ten minutes. In the 23rd minute, put in a lovely touch finder in open play but spoilt it seconds later with a knock-on from a high box kick. Denied a try from a captain’s referral. Good turnover at 65 and a welcome return to Super Rugby.
15. Nehe Milner-Skudder – 6
In the first minute, he got mashed by Laumape. With all the injury problems he’s had, we all held our breath. He got up. Whew! Lovely one-handed touch in the 23rd minute and glided around the defence at 30 for a half break. Had the unenviable job of trying to take down Rayasi in the 79th but barely laid a hand on him.
This was… certainly bizarre. #HURvHIG #SuperRugbyAotearoahttps://t.co/ZUFlj5oSFj
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 30, 2021
Reserves:
16. Liam Coltman – 4.5
On at 58. The Highlanders tight effort fell away when the bench came on.
17. Ayden Johnstone – 4
On at 48. Looked a little rusty coming off the bench and looked unsure where he should be in the pod at times. Got turned over by Kirifi and Ruben Love scooted past him for the Kirifi try.
18. Josh Hohneck – 4.5
On at 58. Some good tackles and has lovely handling as a pod runner.
19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit – 4.5
On at 65. The Highlanders have some depth at lock and he looked good.
20. Hugh Renton – 5.5
On at 48. Busy in defence and concentrated on turnovers and got three of them. Good battle with Kirifi.
21. Kayne Hammington – 4
On at 73. Spent a lot of time thrashing around on the ground trying to tidy some trashy ruck ball.
22. Michael Collins – 5
On at 63, got a gift pass from Kirifi but couldn’t make anything of it. Had one nice run and is probably a more natural centre than Tomkinson.
23. James Lentjes – N/A
On at 70.
Comments on RugbyPass
You know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
25 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 Go to comments