Super Rugby Aotearoa: Chiefs player ratings vs Blues
The Chiefs returned home to the Waikato after their gripping 28-27 loss to the Highlander’s last week in Dunedin and were keen to atone for their fervent fans.
Warren Gatland’s men went into the match as favourites despite the Blues’ impressive defeat of the Hurricanes in round one of Super Rugby Aotearoa.
In the absence of skipper Sam Cane, the effervescent Brad Webber led the Chiefs with winger Shaun Stevenson celebrating his 50th cap for the franchise.
The team remained largely unchanged with Naitoa Ah Kuoi coming off the bench to pair up with Tupou Va’ai in the locking engine room of the scrum, while veteran All Blacks fly half Aaron Cruden moved back into the starting line up to guide his side around FMG Stadium Waikato.
With a persistent drizzle from the heavens and referee Ben O’Keefe providing a literal interpretation of the laws the match struggled to find its rhythm in the first half with the Blues being heavily penalised. The Chiefs failed to cherish possession and their option taking was questionable in the conditions.
The ‘New Blues’ came out in the second half and ground down the inexperienced and mentally vacant Chiefs to secure their first win in the Waikato since 2011.
So, who were the Chiefs’ best in the traditional North Island grudge match:
15. Damian McKenzie – 5.5/10
Kicked the points he should have and looked dangerous at times but guilty of kicking poorly in general play. Plenty of effort but decision making and execution let him down too often.
14. Shaun Stevenson – 5/10
Didn’t see much ball. Silly penalty to start second half. A forgettable performance in his 50th.
13. Quinn Tupaea – 6.5/10
Solid over the ball and pilfered deep in the Blues’ half early in the match. Has the makings to be a special player but can drop off a tackle.
12. Anton Lienert-Brown – 7.5/10
Found his way into the game without fuss. Consummate professional didn’t let his side down. Was staunch in defence and in possession.
11. Sean Wainui – 7/10
Wonderful running game and attacked the high ball well and chased his kicks, yet guilty of poor passing at times putting his side under pressure. Despite that one of the better players for the Chiefs.
10. Aaron Cruden – 7.5/10
Under played himself in attack early on and looked better when he took on the line later in the match. Kicked fairly well and made a number of crucial tackles and didn’t shirk to dirty work. A committed professional performance from the veteran.
9. Brad Weber (captain) – 4.5/10
A really questionable performance. His option taking and execution was substandard despite his efforts. Somewhat absent as a leader on the night hooked at the 64th minute.
8. Pita Gus Sowakula – 6/10
Carried well and defended well. The big man was industrious throughout with fellow backrowers but lacked the extra punch through the midfield that was required.
7. Lachlan Boshier – 7/10
A comprehensive performance and frustrated the Blues over the ball as expected. Failed to link with his backs when attacking opportunity presented but best Chiefs forward on the park.
6. Luke Jacobson – 6.5/10
Worked exceptionally hard in tight yet later in the match he was guilty of infringing around the breakdown that cost his side momentum and points.
5. Naitoa Ah Kuoi – 6/10
A mixed bag. Talent and inexperience both on display but liked his attitude. Had a crack and was in just about everything. Has the makings of a very good tight forward.
4. Tupou Va’ai – 6/10
Similar to his locking partner. Worked hard but for every positive impact there was a negative. Did not look out of place at this level but still so raw.
3. Nepo Laulala – 7/10
Very solid performance by the All Black. Hands let him down at times but he worked tirelessly at set piece and in the tight. Chiefs scrum solid when Nepo was at the cornerstone.
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 6.5/10
Lineout needs some work but had some strong carries and was committed to the cause. Much to like about his performance but requires focus and discipline if he is to take his game to the next level.
1. Aidan Ross – 6.5/10
Had some quality moments in tight in both attack and defence. Scrummaged well against a quality opponent.
Replacements:
16. Bradley Slater – 6/10
Provided some impact and his lineout work on a slippery night was okay.
17. Reuben O’Neill – 6.5/10
Has some game about him. Carried well and made a good tackle in cover defence.
18. Ross Geldenhuys – 6/10
The veteran threw himself into it in his cameo yet the Chiefs scrum struggled with him, Slater and O’Neill on the park.
19. Adam Thomson – 5/10
If he was there to help bring the Chiefs with experience in the later stages of the match Thompson didn’t offer that tonight. Still has the quality to do that job but will need to bring it next time around.
20. Dylan Nel – 6/10
Didn’t see much of him but that is not a criticism. Did work hard to lift the tempo and crashed fearlessly into the Blues in attack.
21. Lisati Milo-Harris – 6/10
Toiled away and showed he can play at this level but needed to really martial his troops more.
22. Kaleb Trask – N/A
23. Solomon Alaimal0 – 5.5/10
Worked away but didn’t impose himself on the match.
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
4 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
4 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt 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.
26 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….
26 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….
84 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!
4 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?
45 Go to comments