Super Rugby Aotearoa: Chiefs player ratings vs Blues
The final instalment of round seven Super Rugby Aotearoa saw the Blues host the Chiefs at Eden Park this afternoon.
With the Chiefs’ title aspirations over, the men from the Waikato were playing for respect which can be a dangerous motivator, and defeating any side from Auckland would certainly deliver that.
Warren Gatland’s winless side have had their moments this season and had done just about everything to defeat the Highlanders last weekend, but were thwarted after the 80-minute mark by the relentless Highlanders.
The sting of such a loss no doubt would have been a factor in the Chiefs preparation for this encounter.
In the forwards, Aidan Ross was unavailable due to a calf strain, which allowed Reuben O’Neill to start at loosehead. That allowed 20-year-old Ollie Norris to come onto the bench, with Aucklander Lisita Milo-Harris shadowing Brad Webber.
Finally, Adam Thomson – at 38-year-old – was also named on the bench with 100 Super Rugby caps within his grasp.
The Chiefs threw the ‘Kitchen Sink’ at the hosts but were denied 21-17 in yet another thriller. Here’s how they rated:
15. Damian McKenzie – 7.5/10
Arguably his best performance in Super Rugby Aotearoa. Despite being guilty of running too laterally early on, D-Mac’s class in both attack and defence were on display. Made several try saving tackles and was a handful in possession but also worked hard off the ball to draw defenders onto him. Quality shift.
14. Sean Wainui – 7/10
Wasn’t given much space to work with in attack which is a shame considering his class. Was solid in defence.
13. Anton Lienert-Brown – 8/10
Superb performance by the All Black centre. Made plenty of tough metres and was a fourth flanker in defence, securing multiple turnovers and cleaning out at the breakdown. Good luck removing him from that All Blacks centre position with form like this.
12. Alex Nankivell – 7/10
Solid day out. Was hard in defence and like Lienert-Brown worked hard for yards in the middle of the park. If he can stay fit, he appears to have a big future with the Chiefs.
11. Solomon Alaimalo – 7/10
Was replaced after being injured scoring a good old-fashioned winger try holding his width and depth on the short side to capitalise on a turnover counter attack. Was a solid performer prior to that and nearly stole another earlier in the match by simply chasing a kick and staying in the contest.
10. Kaleb Trask – 6.5/10
Made some errors by not finding touch when required but showed he is a player of the future. Tended to take the lesser option in attack that stifled momentum. Would like to see him take the ball to the line and play flatter as opposed to block plays.
9. Brad Weber – 7/10
Mixed bag from him. On the negative, he can drop off a tackle and was guilty of delivering the odd looping pass that put pressure on the receiver. On the positive, he is such a courageous player and was in the thick of it trying to get his side back into the match.
8. Pita Gus Sowakula – 7.5/10
He has a warrior today for the Chiefs. Made numerous tackles and secured an important turnover to thwart the Blues momentum and give his side a chance at victory. He must have come within millimetres of scoring at the death but it wasn’t to be.
7. Sam Cane (c) – 7.5/10
Another ‘Captain Courageous’ performance and, as always, was in the thick of just about everything. Made 19 tackles, with at least three of those after he received an injury to his left shoulder, yet he stayed in it. Down 14-7 in the first half and points hard to come by, he turned down a sure three-pointer to go for the line. Wasn’t the right option.
6. Lachlan Boshier – 7/10
Didn’t secure any turnovers today which is unlike him, but was still immense at the breakdown and secured himself a try. Didn’t do his All Black selection chances any harm.
5. Mitchell Brown – 7/10
Impressed with his defensive efforts and put in a no-frills lock forwards performance that was required. Dependable player without being spectacular.
4. Tupou Vaa’i – 6.5/10
Solid performance in the lineout and looked to impose himself to his credit, yet was guilty of missing tackles. Still a credible performance by a player with a future.
3. Nepo Laulala – 6.5/10
Worked hard against a quality scrum but was guilty of giving away a couple of penalties, and dropping off a few tackles. An All Black of his experience needed to better in that department.
Heartbreaking for the Chiefs. Should Josh Goodhue have been the one getting penalised? ? #BLUvCHI #SuperRugbyAotearoa https://t.co/OfXjQ2Ypog
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 26, 2020
2. Bradley Slater – 7.5/10
Did so much quality work in tight. Made at least one try saving tackle in the second half and simply didn’t miss the opportunity to impose himself. Solid in the lineout and needs to find a better running game but a quality performance today.
1. Reuben O’Neill – 7/10
Brave player who ran into the heart of the Blues to give his side front foot ball. Was solid in the scrum and worked himself in defence. Prop on the rise.
Replacements:
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 5/10
On in the 64th and did his job.
17. Ollie Norris – 6/10
On in the 68th and brought some physicality. Promising player.
18. Ross Geldenhuys – 5/10
On in the 71st and did his job.
19. Adam Thomson – 5/10
On in the 64th and won his 100th Super Rugby cap.
20. Mitchell Karpik – 5/10
On in the 64th and did his job.
21. Lisati Milo-Harris – N/A
22. Aaron Cruden – 6.5/10
On in the 41st. Almost steered his home side to victory and showed his experience and class in that effort.
23. Quinn Tupaea – 6/10
On in the 48th and looked to impose himself. Secured a turnover. Credible performance.
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