Hurricanes player ratings vs Highlanders | Super Rugby Aotearoa
The opening match of Round 10 of Super Rugby Aotearoa was played out between the cellar-dwellers at Sky Stadium this evening, with the hosts emerging victorious 41-22 in a physical, entertaining but mistake-riddled performance.
The result is exactly what the Hurricanes required after a disappointing campaign to date and the Trans-Tasman competition on the near horizon. There were promising signs for Hurricanes’ fans moving forward.
This is how the Hurricanes rated.
1. Xavier Numia – 6/10
There is plenty to like about this bloke, he played with real intent in all aspects of play and looked far from daunted by the level of rugby he was playing. A robust performance by a player who should be given further development opportunities.
2. Dane Coles – 6.5
He was dangerous! He was a danger to the Highlanders when he wanted to play rugby, and a danger to his own side when he wasn’t and instead focussing on the niggle. Not sure the niggle actually achieved anything at all apart from a slice of cheese and a rest.
3. Tyrel Lomax – 5
Not his best night out. He was dominated by Ethan de Groot in the scrum and despite looking for work in general play, his running lines at were at times lateral. Has better rugby in him.
4. James Blackwell – 6.5
Another workhorse performance on both sides of the ball. When there was an ugly job to be done, he put up his hand time and time again as his team required of him. Topped the Canes tackle count but also dropped off a few. Overall, a really respectable shift.
5. Scott Scrafton – 7
Industrious performance. Lead from the front and really looked to impose himself on the Highlanders which was exactly what his team needed at a time when the match was very much in the balance. The main lineout man for Wellington tonight and generally did his bit.
6. Reed Prinsep – 7
Enjoyed his game. A very credible performance defensively and brought some real physicality in that department despite a range of plays where his side were falling off first-up tackles. He improved the defence when it was needed. Stole a lineout to thwart a Highlanders surge.
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi – 7.5
Had a very good day out with several turnovers and a try after supporting the inside line off a Reuben Love break. Despite this good work, he was prone to the odd error like throwing passes that were not required, but generally a really good night out for him.
This was… certainly bizarre. #HURvHIG #SuperRugbyAotearoahttps://t.co/ZUFlj5oSFj
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 30, 2021
8. Devan Flanders – 7
Was a real handful for the Highlanders on attack. He popped up out wide and in the tight and cashed in finishing off an excellent team try after a short side raid.
9. Luke Campbell – 5
This guy has the talent but his decision making and execution at times tonight really stifled and hampered the Hurricanes. Passes to no one, slow to the ruck at times and made some defensive misreads. He didn’t appear to ever give his side the rhythm and tempo they needed to settle into their work.
10. Ruben Love – 6
What a raw talent. Despite a number of mistakes, including dropping a ball when well on the attack, there was much to like about his performance tonight. Without Jordie Barrett in this side, however, it would take a brave man to suggest that Love could run the offence on his own.
11. Salesi Rayasi – 6
In attack, he was superb – yet he has defensive frailties and, furthermore, his body height going into the ruck is questionable. There is plenty to like about his performance but he is still very much a work-in-progress player.
12. Ngani Laumape – 7
Big night out for the All Blacks second five. He owned that midfield, scoring a wonderful try himself after tracking a Jordie Barrett kick, and set another up for the young flanker Braydon Iose. However, he should give away the short kicking game when on the attack in the opponent’s 22.
13. Billy Proctor – 5.5
Didn’t really get himself into the match individually but linked nicely with those around him.
14. Julian Savea – 5.5
Questionable night defensively, coupled with glimpses of the Julian Savea of yesteryear in attack.
15. Jordie Barrett – 6.5
Not his best night in defence but was the organiser up the back that guided the Hurricanes home with, more often than not, electing the right attacking option when in possession. He was physical into contact and lead the way despite a wayward night with the boot
Huge news out of New Zealand! The @LosPumas and @JaguaresARG captain is returning to #SuperRugby.https://t.co/sFMFQV4Ydh
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 30, 2021
Reserves:
16. Asafo Aumua – 7
Brought all his physicality when he came on – which is what was exactly required of him.
17. Fraser Armstrong – 5
Did his bit and didn’t let his team down but didn’t ignite them as perhaps a sub should.
18. Alex Fidow – N/A
19. Isaia Walker-Leawere – N/A
20. Brayden Iose – N/A
Only on for a short period of time but scored a try that has put the rugby public on notice. Keep an eye on him.
21. Cam Roigard – 6
Played well and played big. His options were far better tonight than that of Luke Campbell and is worth a start in the Hurricanes’ next outing.
22. Peter Umaga-Jensen – N/A
23. Pepesana Patafilo – N/A
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.
9 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.
22 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.
9 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