Super Rugby Aotearoa: Highlanders player ratings vs Chiefs
There was plenty of anticipation leading into the inaugural match of Super Rugby Aotearoa, played under the roof of Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, and the fast-paced derby between the Highlanders and the Chiefs did not disappoint – though there were a few too many penalties for most people’s liking.
With both sides known for their attacking games, it’s no surprise that the two teams kept the ball in hand and minimised kicking – chalking up plenty of running metres in the process. Both sides struggled for continuity, however, due to the decreased leniency at the breakdown, which prevented any momentum from really being built.
The home side, who entered the match as outside favourites, started strongly and took a 6-point lead into the break – and held the same lead entering the final 10 minutes of the match. A flurry of drop goals in the final minutes ultimately gave the Highlanders a narrow two-point win.
1. Ayden Johnstone – 7/10
Safe in the scrums and on defence, beavered around the park and may well have enjoyed the stop/start nature of the game. Off in 52nd minute.
2. Ash Dixon – 8
Safe as houses – more than justified his selection ahead of Liam Coltman. At the back of an excellently constructed maul for the Highlanders’ first try. Off in 56th minute. (1 try, 17th min)
3. Siate Tokolahi – 6
Not called upon much to carry but was reliable on defence. One of many Highlanders to fall victim to the ref’s whistle. Off in 52nd minute.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBXqlJOAM8N/
4. Pari Pari Parkinson – 7.5
A strong showing in return from injury – a pest in the lineouts. Copped a few penalties related to the new law interpretations and adjustments but it’s a bit tough moving such a sizeable body out of the dark spaces. Off in 73rd minute.
5. Josh Dickson – 7
Reliable in the lineouts. Big presence that probably helped put the Chiefs’ lineout throwers off their games.
6. Shannon Frizell – 7
Menacing presence on kick-offs and ranged wide on attack. Struggled with the new breakdown clampdown but who didn’t?
7. Dillon Hunt – 8
Big effort on defence, making 15 tackles – almost twice the number of the next busiest Highlander. Made a good steal in the 57th minute to shut down some quick Chiefs ball.
8. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u – 8
Deceptively elusive. Forced a good penalty in the 38rd minute which ultimately paved the way for the Highlanders to take back the lead before halftime.
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
9. Aaron Smith – 8
Slick passing all night, including (and especially) for the Highlanders’ second try. Was hampered a little bit by the slow pace of the game and probably made the mistake of trying to speed up via a quick tap. Made a perfectly timed tackle on Brad Weber (at least according to the man in the middle) to prevent a certain try.
10. Mitch Hunt – 6.5
Found good distance with his kicks but made a bad error immediately after Vilimoni Koroi’s yellow card, sending the kick-off out on the full. Never really threatened at first receiver then shifted to fullback when Bryn Gatland joined the fray. Kicked his goals, missing just one conversion. (2 penalties, 2 conversions, 4/5 goal kicks)
11. Jona Nareki – 5.5
Great cover tackle to keep Shaun Stevenson out early. Looked like he could cause some problems for the Chiefs but needed to get more ball. Carelessly barged into Damian McKenzie in the air and rightfully received a yellow card.
12. Patelesio Tomkinson – 6.5
Nice support line off Rob Thompson’s shoulder to score in the 22nd minute. Called upon to make a huge number of hit-ups in the midfield. Not quite as safe as needed to be on defence but wasn’t made to pay. Off in 73rd minute.
It’s been a challenging time for a number of reasons but fans across the New Zealand – and seemingly around the world – finally have some rugby to get excited about. #SuperRugbyAotearoa https://t.co/zOTTcDbjoo
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 13, 2020
13. Rob Thompson – 6
Gave the final ball for Tomkinson to score the Highlanders’ second try after running an excellent angled line. Made a poor call to cut in on defence which handed the Chiefs a numbers advantage and gifted them their first try.
14. Sam Gilbert – 5.5
Covered kicks well, monstered by Pita Gus Sowakula at one point. Tidy debut.
15. Vilimoni Koroi – 5
Dangerous – but probably not in the way Highlanders fans would have hoped. Not the best debut but certainly showed a few signs of promise. Off in 60th minute.
Reserves:
16. Liam Coltman – 7
On in 56th minute. Continued Dixon’s accurate work at the lineout, hitting targets at all distances.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBVGmIcAkTU/
17. Dan Lienert-Brown – 7
On in 52nd minute. Carried on good work of starters – strong in the breakdowns.
18. Jeff Thwaites – 6
On in 52nd minute.
19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit -N/A
On in 73rd minute.
20. Teariki Ben-Nicholas – N/A
Did not play.
21. Kayne Hammington – N/A
Did not play.
22. Teihorangi Walden – N/A
On in 73rd minute.
23. Bryn Gatland – 11/10
On in 60th minute. Absolutely clutch drop goal – not a high quantity of involvements, but the quality was sublime.
Comments on RugbyPass
smith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
36 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.
9 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.
36 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.
2 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
36 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 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
36 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.
36 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.
17 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.
17 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.
36 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
36 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
36 Go to comments