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Super Rugby Aotearoa: Highlanders player ratings vs Hurricanes

By Mike Rehu
(Photo by Masanori Udagawa/Getty Images)

On a Sunday afternoon showdown at Sky Stadium in Wellington, the Highlanders and Hurricanes had the chance to drag themselves back to a 50% record in Super Rugby Aotearoa.

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The Hurricanes had lost two at a row at home and the Highlanders last victory at the Caketin was in their Super Rugby final victory in 2015.

The Hurricanes made the most of their dominance 10 minutes either side of halftime and came away with the victory 17-11.

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Roger Tuivasa-Sheck playing for Blues U18

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Roger Tuivasa-Sheck playing for Blues U18

Here’re the Highlanders player ratings.

1. Ayden Johnstone – 6

Solid in the set piece but can give up any dreams to play on the wing after van Wyk glided past him halfway through the first half. Off at 48

2. Ash Dixon – 7.5

Workaholic and led from the front, 12 tackles and continued his sterling line out throwing. A career in darts beckons? Off at 63.

3. Siate Tokolahi – 6.5

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Scrummed well and was strong at the breakdown. Off at 63.

4. Pari Pari Parkinson – 7

Really getting his carrying game back and always an excellent source of line out pill. Off at 67

5. Jack Whetton – 7

Good play from Whetton who got a starting chance after Josh Dickson’s injury. 10 tackles, stopped Ardie Savea 5 metres out from his line in the 16th minute then a big hit led to a Dillon Hunt turnover. Off at 48.

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6. Shannon Frizell – 5.5

Solid but not the spectacular, dynamic performance that the southern men needed. Shrugged off a big hit from Aumua with a strong run at 33 minutes. Three carries and 5 tackles not a great day at the office.

7. Dillon Hunt – 6.5

Lively from the openside. Good save to force a 22 after an attacking grubber at 20 minutes. Had a great battle with Kirifi and snaffled some turnovers. Shoulder and eye injuries saw him off at 46 minutes.

8. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u – 6

As with Frizell the Highlanders needed some yards and go-forward from their quality loosies but the Hurricanes were on to them.

9. Aaron Smith – 7

Good showdown with TJ Perenara and tit for tat tries. Put his body on the line with a tackle count in double figures.

10. Mitch Hunt – 7

The game really came to Hunt and he didn’t miss his opportunities. Ripped a hole in defence

for the Aaron Smith disallowed try early on. Top running metres in the match and had Aumua smash him a couple of times but the tough little nut got up and carried on. A couple of black marks either side of halftime pulled his rating back for me. The missed touch off a penalty just before half-time, and then failing to exit off the second half kickoff.

11. Jona Nareki – 6

Quiet early on but finally got some space in the last quarter.

12. Patelesio Tomkinson – 7.5

Did some real grunt work with top tackles for the match with 15. Gutsy, physical effort.

13. Rob Thompson – 5

Got his first carry at 76 minutes. Bizarrely quiet, just couldn’t get involved.

14. Scott Gregory – 5.5

Seems to be learning about positional play both at fullback and wing. Loads of potential and seems to be more of a mid-fielder but hard to get time there at the Highlanders.

15. Michael Collins – 5.5

Again couldn’t get involved in the match. Three carries for 7 metres eerily quiet for a fullback.

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16. Liam Coltman – 5

On at 63, sadly the smooth running line out lurched to a halt after Coltman entered the fray.

17. Daniel Lienert-Brown – 6.5

On at 48. Two scrum penalties against ex-Highlander Lomax would have been satisfying.

18. Jeff Thwaites – N/A

On 63

19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit – 6

On at 48. Gave his team some impetus at the line out and a great first play holding Ben Lam up and creating a maul turnover.

20. Jesse Parete – N/A

On at 67

21. Kayne Hammington – N/A

On at 71

22. Bryn Gatland – N/A

On at 71

23. Teariki Ben-Nicolas – 5.5

On at 48 and like his big bopper loose forward mates couldn’t make a dent in the Hurricanes defence.

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Trevor 15 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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