Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Highlanders player ratings vs Hurricanes | Super Rugby Aotearoa

By Mike Rehu
(Photo by Dianne Manson/Getty Images)

The Highlanders came off the bye to host the Hurricanes and celebrate Aaron Smith’s 154th cap, breaking Ben Smith’s record for the most games for the southerners; Pari Pari Parkinson and Freedom Vahaakolo joined the starting XV for the first time this season.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Hurricanes were excited about a veteran as well. Dane Coles was back and they were looking for some starch and leadership from him after three losses to start 2021.

The Highlanders had a glut of territory and possession but they just could not convert the abundance into points. Jordie Barrett was immense with all of the Hurricanes’ 30 points as they garnered their first victory of the season 30-19.

Video Spacer

Highlanders co-captain Ash Dixon speaks to media ahead of Hurricanes clash

Video Spacer

Highlanders co-captain Ash Dixon speaks to media ahead of Hurricanes clash

Here’re the Highlanders’ ratings.

1. Ethan de Groot – 6

He’s developing quickly and played well. Had a good period in the second quarter. Earned a scrum penalty in the 23rd minute, a bunting run at 28 and smart defensive work at the lineout in the 32nd minute which led to the reversed penalty. Off at 48.

2. Ash Dixon – 5.5

Technically adept but was out-passioned by Coles. Has lost a bit of his swagger as oppositions have worked out the Highlanders’ lineout mauls.

3. Siate Tokolahi – 6.5

He’s having a good season. In the last two games he’s been an ox disrupting opposition scrum ball and getting round the paddock. Off at 54.

ADVERTISEMENT

4. Bryn Evans- 6.5

The old-timer may look like an extra out of Deliverance but that character and experience really adds some heft in this young squad. He’s a go-to lineout option, loved his smart reposition at the maul in the 33rd minute to go over for try.

5. Pari Pari Parkinson – 6.5

Strong comeback performance. There’s a lot to love with his puncturing of the line but also his soft hands in tight spaces. Off at 48.

6. Shannon Frizell – 7.5

ADVERTISEMENT

Gargantuan effort from the big bear. Top metres from either team and went to beast mode in the 17th minute as he man handled several defenders aside but typical of the team’s performance made a meal of the touchdown.

7. Billy Harmon – 5.5

Accurate performance but a bit like Ash Dixon was out-passioned by his opposite who looked like he wanted it more. Brilliant cover tackle on Laumape in the 43rd minute but couldn’t tag Jordie moment later on the way to his third try. Off at 73.

8. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u – 4

Subdued outing, missed a couple of tackles, blew a try they desperately needed running behind Tomkinson. Lost the ball in the 37th minute in contact. Off 48 and Himeno looked good.

9. Aaron Smith – 6

As he conceded this week, he’s missing the zip he displayed last year. Caught out and a little discombobulated on Jordie’s second try with Rayasi’s magic ball. Sparked the team at the start of the last quarter with a quick tap that led to Garden-Bachop’s 5-pointer and that was his game at 63 minutes. Emotional times pre and post match; what a legend!

10. Mitch Hunt – 4.5

Must take some of the blame after the team’s profligacy but showed some good skill at times. Great run and pass to Vahaakolo in 29th minute but questions around some of the failures to exit, then a hash up under high ball in the 42nd minute that led to a crucial Hurricanes try.

11. Connor Garden-Bachop – 5.5

Energetic athlete with quick feet and solid ball-playing skills. Good finish for the try. I’m checking his family tree as Nisbo the commentator reckons he’s Graham’s brother. Maybe nephew….

12. Patelesio Tomkinson – 4

Nailed Laumape in the 8th minute but couldn’t snuff out the attack which led to lineout and Jordie’s first try. Missed a load of tackles.

13. Michael Collins – 4

Seemed to have a target on his chest as he ran into the train that is Tyrel Lomax in the 4th minute, then ten minutes later got hammered by Proctor. Off at 54.

14. Freedom Vahaakolo – 5

His performance was indicative of the Highlanders outing. Tons full of natural ability but lacking in game savviness and wise option taking. He looked good with ball in hand and some lovely skill with a clever touch-finder. Pulled in to Proctor’s dummy cut and couldn’t get out to stop Jordie from scoring his first try. Failed to stretch out and score at 29 minutes after being brought down in the corner. In the 47th minute he passed to a Hurricane with the line in sight. And offside at the lineout at the 56th, coming inside the 15 before the lineout was over. Will get better.

15. Josh Ioane – 7

Enjoyed the licence at the back and spurred a number of attacks from the backfield.

Reserves:

16. Liam Coltman – 4.5

On 63. Quiet.

17. Ayden Johnstone – 5.5

On at 48 and did some handy work around the field, especially in defence. The last scrum penalty wasn’t flash.

18. Josh Hohneck – 3.5

On at 54 and smashed out a scrum penalty first up. Then was penalised a couple of times himself, the error at 64 when he came in the side off the ruck on attack was a coach killer.

19. Josh Dickson- 5

On at 48 and money at the lineout. Gave away a silly penalty napping in a ruck.

20. Kazuki Himeno – 7

On at 48 and underlined his ability. Great play at 58 minutes with a big tackle on Laumape and then a turnover on Walker-Leawere 10 seconds later. Led the rearguard action with a bundle of carries to Garden-Bachop’s try.

21. Folau Fakatava – 6

On 63. Brought some urgency with quick taps and go forward.

22. Thomas Umaga-Jensen – 6.5

On at 54 and showed the starting centres how to run straight and direct. Opened up like the Red Sea for his try in the 75th minute.

23. James Lentjes- N/A

On 73.

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

J
Jon 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

This is the problem with conservative mindsets and phycology, and homogenous sports, everybody wants to be the same, use the i-win template. Athlete wise everyone has to have muscles and work at the gym to make themselves more likely to hold on that one tackle. Do those players even wonder if they are now more likely to be tackled by that player as a result of there “work”? Really though, too many questions, Jake. Is it better Jake? Yes, because you still have that rugby of ole that you talk about. Is it at the highest International level anymore? No, but you go to your club or checkout your representative side and still engage with that ‘beautiful game’. Could you also have a bit of that at the top if coaches encouraged there team to play and incentivized players like Damian McKenzie and Ange Capuozzo? Of course we could. Sadly Rugby doesn’t, or didn’t, really know what direction to go when professionalism came. Things like the state of northern pitches didn’t help. Over the last two or three decades I feel like I’ve been fortunate to have all that Jake wants. There was International quality Super Rugby to adore, then the next level below I could watch club mates, pulling 9 to 5s, take on the countries best in representative rugby. Rugby played with flair and not too much riding on the consequences. It was beautiful. That largely still exists today, but with the world of rugby not quite getting things right, the picture is now being painted in NZ that that level of rugby is not required in the “pathway” to Super Rugby or All Black rugby. You might wonder if NZR is right and the pathway shouldn’t include the ‘amateur’, but let me tell you, even though the NPC might be made up of people still having to pull 9-5s, we know these people still have dreams to get out of that, and aren’t likely to give them. They will be lost. That will put a real strain on the concept of whether “visceral thrill, derring-do and joyful abandon” type rugby will remain under the professional level here in NZ. I think at some point that can be eroded as well. If only wanting the best athlete’s at the top level wasn’t enough to lose that, shutting off the next group, or level, or rugby players from easy access to express and showcase themselves certainly will. That all comes back around to the same question of professionalism in rugby and whether it got things right, and rugby is better now. Maybe the answer is turning into a “no”?

34 Go to comments
j
john 3 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

But here in Australia we were told Penney was another gun kiwi coach, for the Tahs…….and yet again it turned out the kiwi coach was completely useless. Another con job on Australian rugby. As was Robbie Deans, as was Dave Rennie. Both coaches dumped from NZ and promoted to Australia as our saviour. And the Tahs lap them up knowing they are second rate and knowing that under pressure when their short comings are exposed in Australia as well, that they will fall in below the largest most powerful province and choose second rate Tah players to save their jobs. As they do and exactly as Joe Schmidt will do. Gauranteed. Schmidt was dumped by NZ too. That’s why he went overseas. That why kiwi coaches take jobs in Australia, to try and prove they are not as bad as NZ thought they were. Then when they get found out they try and ingratiate themselves to NZ again by dragging Australian teams down with ridiculous selections and game plans. NZ rugby’s biggest problem is that it can’t yet transition from MCaw Cheatism. They just don’t know how to try and win on your merits. It is still always a contest to see how much cheating you can get away with. Without a cheating genius like McCaw, they are struggling. This I think is why my wise old mate in NZ thinks Robertson will struggle. The Crusaders are the nursery of McCaw Cheatism. Sean Fitzpatrick was probably the father of it. Robertson doesn’t know anything else but other countries have worked it out.

15 Go to comments
A
Adrian 5 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

15 Go to comments
T
Trevor 8 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Diamond demands law change while accusing Tigers of illegal activity Diamond demands law change while accusing Tigers of illegal activity
Search