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Super Rugby Aotearoa: Highlanders player ratings vs Crusaders
The Highlanders were back at home for their Saturday night clash with the undefeated Crusaders, having been tipped up by the Blues in Auckland last weekend.
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While it was a cool night in Dunedin, a little bit of dew on the field was all the two sides had to cope with thanks to Forsyth Barr’s roof – and both teams took the opportunity to spin the ball wide and play with plenty of depth.
Although the Highlanders have been on a run of good form against their northern neighbours for the last few years, the first Super Rugby Aotearoa clash between the two teams fell the way of the visitors, who romped to a 40-20 victory after scoring two tries in the final five minutes to blow out the score.
Who were the best performers for the defeated Highlanders?
1. Daniel Lienert-Brown – 4
Didn’t quite excel in the open like we’ve sometimes seen and was monstered at scrum time by Michael Alaalatoa. Conceded the first penalty of the night for not rolling out of a tackle. Off in 40th minute and won’t have threatened Ayden Johnstone’s starting spot.
2. Liam Coltman – 6.5
One early yip with the lineouts but otherwise was accurate as necessary. Busy tackler but not as influencing in the breakdowns. Did manage an important turnover early in the second half after the Crusaders had amassed 15 phases on attack. Off in 47th minute.
3. Jeff Thwaites – 4
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Didn’t cop the scrum penalties that Lienert-Brown did but was probably equally at fault – destroyed by Joe Moody. Like Lienert-Brown, didn’t offer much in the open and his performance of his core duties was left wanting. Off in 40th minute.
4. Pari Pari Parkinson – 5
Very hand in open play, showed deft hands at times, but didn’t offer too much on defence. Deserved to be yellow-carded after committing an egregious tackle off the ball early in the second half. Plenty of potential and has the measurements to be a great lock but clearly not yet the complete package.
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5. Josh Dickson – N/A
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Penalised for (pretty clearly) going off his feet at the breakdown which handed the Crusaders their first attacking opportunity inside the Highlanders’ 22 and, ultimately, their first 3 points of the game. Left the field on a stretcher 5 minutes later. Replaced in 17th minute.
6. Shannon Frizell – 8
Handy at kick-offs. Brilliantly powerful run, carrying five defenders with him to score the Highlanders’ first try. Stripped the Crusaders’ carriers on more than one occasion and was one of the busiest defenders on the park. Will have reminded the All Blacks selectors that they don’t necessarily have to blood any new talent in the 6 jersey.
7. Dillon Hunt – 7.5
Possibly his best performance on a rugby pitch since he made his All Blacks debut back in 2018. Disruptive at the breakdown and was more damaging on attack than we’re used to. Massive shift on defence, too, topping the tackle charts with 18 to his name.
8. Marino Mikaele Tu’u – 7
Didn’t quite light up the world as we’ve come to expect but a tidy shift nonetheless. Managed to hold on to Codie Taylor from an untidy Crusaders lineout which temporarily stopped the Crusaders’ momentum. Penalised for an illegal breakdown steal but was a little bit hard done by. Made up for that indiscretion with some excellent work to earn a breakdown penalty late in the game which kept the Highlanders in with a chance when the Crusaders were threatening. Off in 76th minute.
9. Aaron Smith – 9
The best performer of the night – on either team. Accurate flat passes right on the advantage line gave his side the momentum they needed to knock the defending Crusaders back. Brilliant break and then quick delivery to create the Highlanders’ second try of the night and his quick passing was the starting point for everything good the Highlanders did. Even made a clutch tackle on Taylor to stomp out a certain Crusaders try early in the second half. Off in 72nd minute.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCKBA-egv1V/
10. Mitch Hunt – 7
Some good footwork and reliable goal-kicking kept the Highlanders in the contest. Earned plenty of metres for the Highlanders when he challenged the line. Put up one too many uncontestable high balls and was guilty of handing possession back to the Crusaders.
11. Jona Nareki – 5
Added attacking impetus early on to get the Highlanders over the gain line and into an attacking position in Crusaders territory. Missed twice as many tackles as he made and looked uncertain about his positioning at times but clocked up the most metres on attack of any of the Highlanders. Docked a point for not giving the final pass when the Highlanders had an easy scoring opportunity. Game-defining moment.
12. Sio Tompkinson – 7
Big effort on defence, making 10 tackles and missing just two, but couldn’t find any gaps in the Crusaders line. Good work over the ball to get an early turnover – but then his centre partner threw a clanger of a pass.
13. Rob Thompson – 6.5
Showed some good acceleration on attack and almost made a couple of half breaks. Had to make many a tackle in the crowded midfield and was rarely found wanting. Tracked across the width of the field and somehow almost managed to prevent the first Will Jordan try but couldn’t quite get enough of the Crusaders wing.
14. Ngane Punivai – 5
One well-taken try in the 25th minute but had little time to really make a mark on the game and was taken off in 35th minute for a HIA but never returned.
15. Michael Collins – 5.5
Had little impact on the game as a whole – which is probably a step up from what the Highlanders have had to deal with in the season to date. Wasn’t peppered with high balls but was safe when called upon an threw the last pass for Punivai’s try.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCMn1E_AKAD/
Reserves:
16. Ash Dixon – 6
On in 47th minute. Full of vigour and typically accurate.
17. Ayden Johnstone – 5
On in 40th minute. Faired slightly better than the starting Highlanders props – slightly. Busy on defence.
18. Siate Tokolahi – 5
On in 40th minute. Also clocked up his fair share of tackles but offered nothing on attack.
19. Jack Whetton – 6
On in 17th minute. Took over the lineout calling from Josh Dickson. Busy in the breakdowns. Swam around the maul to stop a dangerous Crusaders attack in the final quarter.
20. Teariki Ben-Nicholas – N/A
21. Kayne Hammington – N/A
22. Bryn Gatland – N/A
23. Vilimoni Koroi – 5
On in 35th minute. Like the man he substituted, didn’t have too much work to do on the right wing. Probably needed to go looking for work more.
Comments on RugbyPass
I question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
2 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
2 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to commentsBilly's been playing consistently well for 2 - 3 seasons now and deserves a look in at the top level. Ioane and ALB are still first choice but there needs to be injury cover and succession. His partnership with Jordie gives him first dibs you'd think. Go the Hurricanes.
4 Go to comments