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Super Rugby Aotearoa: Blues player ratings vs Highlanders
The rampant Blues took on the Highlanders in Round 3 of Super Rugby Aotearoa. The southern men came off a bye and a last gasp victory vs the Chiefs while the home team were sitting on 6 wins from their last 6 outings.
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The persistent rain stopped before kick-off but right from the get-go, it was apparent the Eden Park surface was very greasy. After a few early slips, the players coped well.
In the end, the Blues scraped through 27-24 after a brave comeback from the Highlanders in the second half.
Here’s how the Blues players performed.
1. Alex Hodgman – 7.5/10
Got put on his bum on his first carry but moments later punching through straight as an arrow to set up the Caleb Clarke try. The fact he lasted until the 68th min before being subbed was a testament to his hard work, topped the tackle count for his team.
2. James Parsons – 6.5
Continued his error-free professional play in 1st half but missed an important tackle on Pari Pari Parkinson early in the 2nd half that led to Mitch Hunt try, then missed a line out throw moments later. Sneaky little grubber at 57 to garner a penalty, then unselfishly slipped the ball to Dalton Papalii off the line out maul that led to a try.
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3. Ofa Tu’ungafasi – 7
Gave Sam Gilbert a warm, shuddering welcome after 8 mins and was solid at set-piece.
4. Patrick Tuipulotu – 6.5
Not as influential as previous weeks, but put in some big hits – notably one chassis shaker on Parkinson in the 31st minute.
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5 Josh Goodhue – 6
Good solid performance but taken off at halftime with a wrist injury
6. Akira Ioane – 5
The fear that Akira might not be up for the work rate expected at 6 didn’t surface last week but appeared against the Highlanders. Outplayed by Frizell and dragged at 55.
7. Dalton Papalii – 7.5
Great player with good game sense and power, he made a reasonable fist of 7. Rewarded for a solid chase to score try in 24th minute after a Hoskins Sotutu charge-down and a second at 58 minutes off the line out maul. Some bruising runs down the right flank defying the cover defence to stay in play.
8. Hoskins Sotutu – 7
Some lovely touches during the game. An energetic chase and charge down for the first Papalii try. Outplayed by Tu’u in the open but crucial defensive play for maul turnover as Highlanders pressed in 78th minute.
9. Sam Nock – 6
Some nice touches in the first half including some heady cover defence to deny Jona Nareki in the 18th minute. After halftime, he had two little slips that led to Mitch Hunt’s try and was pulled after 59 minutes.
It's always a little perplexing when the biggest controversy to kick off a match has nothing to do with what actually happens on the field ? #SuperRugbyAotearoa #BLUvHIGhttps://t.co/dhAGZQi6SA
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 27, 2020
10. Otere Black – 6.5
Some really good wipers kicks into the corners in the first half that created pressure that led to points. Placekicking a little askew, he’ll be looking over his shoulder with Dan Carter getting up to match fitness.
11. Caleb Clarke – 8.5
Take a google of some video of Bryan Williams from the 70s and the resemblance is starting to get uncanny. Every game he looks more and more like the great All Black; the thighs, the sidestep and the acceleration! Power personified to score the first try at 6 minutes, amazing run in the 28th min to set up Rieko Ioane.
12. TJ Faiane – 6
Mils Muliaina described him as methodical pre-kickoff; he is crucial in the balance of the Blues backline.
13. Rieko Ioane – 5.5
Had the good finish, running a great line of the Clarke break but other than that, found it hard to break through the Tomkinson and Thompson midfield defensive screen.
14. Mark Telea – 5.5
Maybe the opposition has seen more tape of him since the start of the season but he seems to be struggling to continue to make the yards in open play.
15. Beauden Barrett – 8
Taunted Scott Gregory with his kicking game and inserted himself into the game well.
The Blues have dangerous runners across the park but their kicking game is really coming to the fore in #SuperRugbyAotearoa. Could it be DC's influence? ? #BLUvHIGhttps://t.co/Vs26N0jLnF
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 27, 2020
Reserves:
16. Kurt Eklund – N/A
17. Marcel Renata – N/A
18. Sione Mafileo – N/A
19. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti – 5.5
On at halftime for Goodhue and didn’t seem to be up to speed. Caught out a couple of times in defence as Highlanders surged back with two tries after halftime.
20. Tony Lamborn – 6.5
On at 56 and made a big difference at the breakdown.
21. Finally Christie – 6.5
On at 59 and upped the energy.
22. Harry Plummer – N/A
23 Joe Marchant – N/A
On in the 67th minute for his last hurrah before his return to England. Interesting to see how his experience at the Blues translates into his Harlequins performances.
Comments on RugbyPass
“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
3 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.
2 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…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 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)
3 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?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments