Super Rugby Aotearoa: Highlanders player ratings vs Blues
The final instalment round eight of Super Rugby Aotearoa was fought out between the hardworking Highlanders and the ambitious Blues at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Sunday.
Both sides went into the match with winning form and with the Gordon Hunter Trophy on the line.
The second-placed Blues knew that a loss today would seriously impede their title chances against the Crusaders, who sat comfortably ahead of them with an eight-point buffer before the first whistle.
On the back of a dominant forward pack the Blues were simply too much for the Highlanders and took the match 32-21. The Highlanders to a man did not stop trying, yet poor option-taking and skill execution at pivotal times proved costly.
So, how did the Highlanders rate?
15. Mitch Hunt – 6/10
A fair effort without but not a performance that convinced he is a long-term Highlanders fullback.
14. Josh McKay – 7/10
Didn’t get much opportunity in attack yet applied himself admirably today. He is the type of player that could attract ‘cult-status’ akin to Marty Banks or Richard ‘Barracuda’ Buckman.
13. Michael Collins – 6/10
A quiet day for a quality player. Early in the match was guilty of pushing a pass when the Blues were into the Highlanders offensive line that resulted in a turnover. Looked more comfortable at fullback several weeks ago.
12. Sio Tomkinson – 7/10
Had a difficult task today and gave it a fair crack. He was physical in both aspects of play.
11. Scott Gregory – 6.5/10
Looking more and more comfortable on the left wing. Works hard in defence and assisted in holding up the Blues attack when they were over the line. Had several impressive involvements in attack yet he may not have the pace to truly dominate at this level?
10. Josh Ioane – 6.5/10
A fair shift by him considering he was working off a forward pack that was dominated and outplayed. Would like to see him take on the line more in attack. Again, there were defensive frailties.
The Blues have sent a message to the rest of #SuperRugbyAotearoa as they ended the Highlanders' faint title hopes with a hard-fought 32-21 win in Dunedin.https://t.co/F4u7mGvrg7
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 2, 2020
9 Aaron Smith (co-captain) – 7.5/10
Another quality performance by the All Blacks No. 9. Was busy and dangerous all day and appeared to have ‘miked’ a controversial penalty when tripping over Karl Tu’inukuafe, who appeared to have done everything he could to not involved himself in the play. Credit to his cunningness. His try saving ‘boot-under-the-ball’ early in the match was testament to his rugby prowess.
8. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u – 7/10
A definitive performance in attack that confirmed he is an absolute threat in that aspect of the game, yet if he is going to take his game to the next level, he must become more authoritative in defence.
7. Dillon Hunt – 7/10
Appeared to be lost in the fog in the early stages but in the middle of the second half had several exhaustive efforts in possession and was a handful for the Blues. Built small, played big. One of his better performances this season.
6. Shannon Frizell – 8/10
Try saving turnover, dominant tackles, damaging runs and a try all lead to another reason as to why he is a serious contender for the All Blacks No. 6 jersey this season.
5. Jack Whetton – 5.5/10
His highlight was a lineout win at the back and set a stable platform that lead to a Highlanders try off the subsequent driving maul. Needs to find a way to have a greater impact. Gave away a penalty in his own half to rob his side of possession and put them under pressure. Not convinced he is a player of Super Rugby standard.
4. Pari Pari Parkinson – 7/10
Was the main lineout man for the Highlanders and looked to impose himself on the Blues. Whilst guilty of a couple of infringements, he was one of the better Highlanders forwards today.
3. Jeff Thwaites – 5.5/10
Wasn’t his best day out. While there was effort around the park, he was dominated at the set piece that set the tone for the Blues victory.
2. Ash Dixon (co-captain) – 6/10
As always, he was in the thick of it, yet his option taking today wasn’t always his best. Ran himself when deep on attack when he had numbers outside. Has had better matches this year.
1. Ayden Johnstone – 5.5/10
Like Thwaites he was dominated up front, but that didn’t stop him from putting in a fair effort around the park.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDYCXVJAvag/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Replacements:
16. Liam Coltman – 5.5/10 – on the 58th
Was guilty of a poor throw when his side were deep on attack. Worked hard in tight but overall didn’t bring the impact desired.
17. Ethan de Groot – 5/10 – on in the 68th
Did his job.
18. Siate Tokolahi – 5/10 – on in the 51st
Did his best to secure the set piece but it was not his day.
19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit – 6.5/10 – on in the 51st
Brought some aggression and intent to the Highlanders and may have earned himself a start next week.
20 Jesse Parete – 6/10 – on the 68th
One of his better performances and was a handful at times when operating down the flanks.
21. Folau Fakatava – 5/10 – on in the 72nd
Was busy but his passing is erratic and stifled the attack at times.
22. Bryn Gatland – N/A
23. Jona Nareki 7.5/10 – on in the 57th
Was dangerous from the get-go. Should be starting for the Highlanders.
Comments on RugbyPass
No Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team does not beat the ABs sadly
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
18 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
18 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to comments