Super Rugby Aotearoa: Chiefs player ratings vs Highlanders
The wait is over, Super Rugby Aotearoa finally kicked off on Saturday under the roof in Dunedin.
A late drop goal by Bryn Gatland sealed the deal for the Highlanders in a penalty-ridden affair as the Chiefs failed to get any flow to their game with some of their star power in the backline starved for go-forward ball and space.
RugbyPass rates the individual performances of the Chiefs:
1. Aidan Ross – 5/10
Not a man for the highlights package, Ross (like his mate Laulala) didn’t get much opportunity to test his power at scrum time but will be disappointed to have been a part of poor execution fighting against the Highlanders driving maul.
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 3
Now the senior hooker in the environment, Taukei’aho disappointed with his lack of accuracy at lineout time early in the game and ultimately never recovered. Poor performance by his standards.
3. Nepo Laulala – 4
In his first outing since January, Laulala went about his work in typical fashion with graft, aggression and composure but had limited scrums to work his real magic.
4. Mitchell Brown – 4
Having to leave the field in the 21st minute due to injury, it brought an early half to a match of some importance for Brown as the senior lock but he did play well in parts, securing a rare lineout win for the Chiefs.
5. Tupou Vaa’i – 6
A very impressive (and very long) debut from the Taranaki big man. Looking strong at the breakdown, Vaa’i was a constant menace for the Highlanders who could’ve been forgiven for thinking they’d have the wood over the Chiefs in this area.
6. Luke Jacobson – 4
Struggling to have much of a say at all on proceedings, Jacobson fell off a few tackles, including one on Shannon Frizell which led to the Highlanders second try. Looks like a man who hasn’t played much rugby lately, which isn’t surprising – it’s been over a year since he had any significant minutes.
7. Lachlan Boshier – 5
Many eyes were on Boshier heading into this match, but his impact was minimal all the while coming up with some handy wins at the breakdown. Looks like the new rules could be tailor-made for Boshier but will need more support from his fellow loosies.
'He has a brilliant mind. A brilliant sporting mind. And his work ethic is relentless. He knows the game of rugby league, he knows it really well.'https://t.co/vu1xDOrpmo
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 13, 2020
8. Pita Gus Sowakula – 6
Putting in some big hits on defence and finding himself with space to run, discipline really let the Fijian No.8 down at key times in the first half, giving away three penalties before the break. With ball in hand, Sowakula found himself with opportunities, carrying metres that rivalled some of the flashy backs.
9. Brad Weber – 6
A quiet night for the skipper, the Highlanders managed to cut down any space Weber had to work his magic and slowed down enough ball at the ruck to keep the passing speed down.
10. Kaleb Trask – 6.5
There is a lot to like about this youngster. For every mistake, Trask bounced back with solid defensive efforts against much bigger opponents. Showing strength with ball in hand, Trask also showed a lack of fear when carrying which can only be positive for a versatile young back.
11. Sean Wainui – 7.5
One of his best in the Chiefs jersey, Wainui’s first half try was just the icing on the cake in a performance where the winger got involved, showed decisiveness, and a good showing of his nifty footwork which has led many to believe there is still much to be met at this level.
The @BluesRugbyTeam will open their #SuperRugbyAotearoa campaign against the @Hurricanesrugby in front of a full house at Eden Park on Sunday.https://t.co/irKVi6yF5Q
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 13, 2020
12. Anton Lienert-Brown – 6
Carrying hard as usual, Lienert-Brown will be disappointed with his work tonight despite getting a score. Handling errors coupled with a lack of space, the All Black midfielder played with all the heart fans are used to seeing but simply didn’t have any room to do much of anything.
13. Quinn Tupaea – 5
Tupaea put in a solid shift tonight, getting involved right from the get go and carrying hard. Like many in the backline, Tupaea was flogged for room but showed the right level of intensity that is fitting.
14. Shaun Stevenson – 6
Strength was a big part of Stevenson’s game tonight, often working his way forward for critical metres in the face of tacklers. Always looked for an offload and always looked dangerous.
15. Damian McKenzie – 8.5
Scoring 17-points on the night, including that late drop goal kick which looked to have sealed it for the Chiefs (if not for Bryn Gatland doing the exact same thing down the other end of the field), McKenzie was the main menace on attack at all times that fans have come to love.
Reserves:
16. Bradley Slater – 3
Had his issues throwing into the lineout as well, enjoying fleeting success but not having the impact in other areas as needed late in the game.
17. Ryan Coxon – 3
18. Ross Geldenhuys – 3
Plenty of paperwork this week at Toulon https://t.co/vmBbqWDfXv
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 12, 2020
19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi – 7
Forced to come on the field in the 21st minute, Ah Kuoi put in another reasonable shift, including a big run ending in a lifting tackle which sent Highlanders fullback Vilimoni Koroi to the sin bin. Into everything, Ah Kuoi is a long term prospect for the Chiefs and showed tonight just some of the skills in his arsenal and appeared to love having more time on the park.
20. Dylan Nel – N/A
21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi – N/A
22. Aaron Cruden – 5
Time just appears to slow down when Cruden has the ball, and tonight he again always looked like making something happen but will be disappointed with a few last touch passes.
23. Etene Nanai-Seturo – N/A
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope WRU cops a 12 month ban.
1 Go to commentsOuch. Pumped. Even Nohamba is a better flyhalf than Ford.
2 Go to commentsI hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
2 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
30 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“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?
13 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.
10 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.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 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.
27 Go to comments