Super Rugby Aotearoa: Blues player ratings vs Highlanders
The Blues travelled to Dunedin in round eight of Super Rugby Aotearoa not having won there for nine years.
The Highlanders came off a bye and, of course, the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy was up for grabs which tends to get these two teams invigorated.
Also, a poignant moment as the Aucklanders played their first match after the death of legend Andy Haden.
A last minute change to the Blues line-up saw Tony Lamborn come in for Blake Gibson, while for the Highlanders, Josh Ioane slotted in at first five and Michael Collins at centre.
The Blues power was too much for the southern men and they took a dominant win, 32-21.
Here’re the Blues player’s ratings.
1. Karl Tu’inukuafe – 7.5
Great comeback to the starting line up for Big Karl. The scrum purred with him dictating terms. Off in the 53rd minute.
2. Kurt Eklund – 7
Climbed in boots and all with some stringent runs early on, almost got a rolling maul try moments later but denied by Aaron Smith’s boot. Lost his lineout bearings around 46 minutes for a couple of wobbles. Off at 71.
3. Ofa Tu’ungafasi – 8
It seems as though Ofa may have the inside running for a black number 3 jersey with his form this year. Led a commanding scrum. Great turnover in the lead up to the Faiane try. Well deserved try for himself after a bruising scrum and clean out. Off at 65 but a bonus seven minutes after Mafileo’s yellow.
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c) – 7
A massive supertanker with surgical hands. Early in the second half we saw a lovely backhanded flick to Eklund then seconds later a thundering hit on Collins. Off at the 73rd minute for a well-deserved rest.
5. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti – 7
Just to illustrate that he’s an 80 minute player in the 77th minute he swooped behind some great defensive rucking for a pick up turnover off the ground, awesome skills! Solid tight forward who seems to be back to full fitness.
PLAYER RATINGS ✍️
A couple of admirable displays for the Highlanders in their 32-21 loss to the Blues in Dunedin.https://t.co/tCA2sNE7wJ
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6. Dalton Papalii – 7
The top tackler in the tournament after round seven showed he has pace to burn with his run-away try, which bizarrely was disallowed. Off at 47.
7. Tony Lamborn – 6.5
The last minute call up acquitted himself well. HIA test at 53 minutes but managed to get back for some more robust play.
8. Akira Ioane – 8.5
Enjoyed the fruits of a dominant scrum. Took his chance well for the first try and delivered some karma to Aaron Smith off the back of the scrum that led to the Tu’ungafasi try. Good defensive performance as well; top Blues tackler.
9. Finlay Christie – 8
Popped up all over the place, running the tram lines for his first try and out on the wing to flick an inside ball to Faiane for his try in the 32nd minute. Cocked up his box kick first up in 2nd half but bounced back with a lovely tracking run for his second try a minute later. Off at 65.
10. Beauden Barrett – 7.5
Great vision for the first Christie try with the cross field kick to Clarke. Christie’s second try also owed a lot to the influence of Barrett. A huge hanging kick for the turnover then a looping pass out to Lambourn to create havoc. Off at 71.
11. Caleb Clarke – 8
Finally got some ball with space and made the Highlanders pay. Nice set up for the Christie try; busting runs at the 22nd and 32nd minutes setting off alarm bells in the Highlanders defence.
12. TJ Faiane – 7
His try in the 32nd minute was a good reward for his solid all-round outing. Off at 59.
13. Rieko Ioane – 7
A little quiet but played a great foil role. Great distribution infield to Christie for his first try.
14. Mark Telea – 6.5
Was industrious in the first half but the ball eluded him in the second forty.
15. Matt Duffie – 6.5
The fullback is playing with real courage under high balls and running hard on to the ball.
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SUBS
16. Luteru Tolai – N/A
On at 71.
17. Alex Hodgman – 6.5
On at 53 and continued the scrum dominance.
18. Sione Mafileo – N/A
On at 65 and the poor prop was the victim of a team yellow so had an abbreviated game.
19. Jacob Pierce – 7
Came on as HIA replacement at 53 minutes. Amazing ball playing skills in his 10 minutes, back on at 73 for the skipper. Proved the locking stocks in the Blues are deep.
20. Aaron Carroll – 6.5
On at 47 and buried himself in his duties.
21. Sam Nock – N/A
On at 65.
22. Otere Black – 6.5
On at 59 and a solid outing.
23. Harry Plummer – N/A
On at 71.
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
6 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
6 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments