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Highlanders player ratings vs Reds | Super Rugby Trans-Tasman
Super Rugby Trans-Tasman looked pretty easy for the Highlanders after 35 seconds after some keystone cops from the Reds’ Blyth and Thomas in the first minute. The visitors came back quickly but then found themselves hemmed in to their 22 for long periods of the half as the Highlanders took a couple of chances.
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The Reds stepped up at the start of the second half and played a more cohesive game but the Kiwi team retained its superiority with a final score 40-19.
Here’re the Highlanders’ ratings.
1. Ayden Johnstone – 6.5
We saw him empty the tank at the start of the 2nd half with some busy defence; 12 tackles for the match. The scrums were ugly with some “lost in translation” techniques. Off at 56.
2. Ash Dixon – 7.5
Good outlet pass for the first try and finished the second. The Highlanders also enjoyed success with their attacking rolling maul for the first time this season, as he bagged a brace with one in the trunk. Busy on the other side of the ball as well, with 14 tackles. Off at 59.
3. Siate Tokolahi – 6
Wasn’t quite at his best, slow to roll in the 4th minute to set up the try-scoring opportunity for the Reds then a scrum free kick in the 10th. Seemed to struggle with the big body of Zander at scrumtime. Off at 56.
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4. Paripari Parkinson – 6.5
Has no interest in hitting the ball at pace, he loves to wrestle his way forward with ball in hand. Made a mess of the kick off at the start of the second half and channeled his anger by rag dolling Daunganu in defence but then penalised at a maul a minute or two later. Some good takes at line out time. Off at 56.
5. Josh Dickson – 7
Good solid effort from the lock, 30 metres off 8 carries and good organiser and thief at the lineouts.
6. Hugh Renton – 7
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He is one of the most animated players in NZ rugby. Game for anything; big tackles, carries and hitting rucks like a stick on a piñata. Muffed a try on halftime but his presence at the breakdown was huge for the home team. 3 turnovers and 14 tackles.
7. Billy Harmon – 7.5
You get the sense that Harmon has a good rugby brain. He finds himself at the right place at the right time and bagged himself 24 tackles by good anticipation.
8. Kazuki Himeno – 6.5
Was required for even more carrying this week with Frizell not around. Watching this guy is a real treat, at 13 minutes he hit a hole at pace and then slipped a lovely ball, then 20 seconds later a strong hammer hit to allow Renton a turnover on Stewart. Seemed to tire in the second stanza but stayed on until late.
The Reds couldn’t back up their title-winning Super Rugby AU exploits in their opening Super Rugby Trans-Tasman match, going down 40-19 in Dunedin. Here’s how the Queenslanders rated. #SuperRugbyTransTasman https://t.co/pvVb6kO29S
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 14, 2021
9. Aaron Smith – 8
Really has become the heartbeat of this team again since Fakatava’s injury. Beautiful passing, shifting the attack at pace. The pass he threw to Tomkinson for his try was one of the best you’ll see; in terms of vision, distance and accuracy. Really ups the ante once his team get into the red zone with a real urgency. Off at 75.
10. Mitch Hunt – 7
Some nice touches from the little lieutenant. During the first half I was reminded of that 2015 RWC quarter final where Carter kept the Springboks pegged in their 22. Hunt constantly turned the Reds around and they couldn’t exit effectively. Also improved of the kicking tee.
11. Jona Nareki – 7.5
In the 24th minute the Reds gave him a chance to show his strength and we saw some of the running style that saw him star against the Chiefs earlier this season. 81 metres, some good input through the inside channels and a leader in the tackling stakes. Winner of the most entertaining post match interview. ‘Little Choc Man’ indeed…….
12. Scott Gregory – 6.5
Hanging out on the wing and scored after 35 seconds. I like the way he continues to improve at inside centre, he has no fear of tackling and loved taking on Tupou.
13. Michael Collins – 6
Impressed me with his commitment to run straight lines with ball in hand, most notably in the lead up to the Ash Dixon try.
14. Patelsio Tomkinson – 5.5
Looked ok on the wing, good positioning for his try. Struggled with kick off receipts though , dropping two.
15. Sam Gilbert – 7
Didn’t see him until the 17th minute when he tried to swallow a loose ball but recovered well to reset an attack. In the 32 minute he showed good balance to plough through tackles then narrowly missed chasing down a try. Pushes his body forward hard into contact. Couldn’t cope with Vunivalu in the air in the 46th minute. Lovely topspin pass off the left hand to set Punivai up for the final try.
The Hurricanes have pulled off a major coup by signing former All Blacks prop Owen Franks on a two-year deal. #Hurricanes #SuperRugby https://t.co/mCDv81nqKJ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 14, 2021
Reserves:
16. Liam Coltman – 6
On at 59. Happy to see the line out maul try-scoring option is back and grabbed himself a try.
17. Ethan de Groot – N/A
On at 56.
18. Josh Hohneck – 6
On at 56 and got stuck in at tackle time.
19. Bryn Evans— 6
On at 56, good experienced man to bring on.
20. James Lentjes – N/A
On at 75.
21. Kayne Hammington – N/A
On at 75.
22. Tim O’Malley
On at 75
23.Ngatungane Punivai
On at 61.
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….
77 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.
57 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