Super Rugby Aotearoa: Hurricanes player ratings vs Highlanders
The Hurricanes have finished their Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign off with a disappointing display against the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium, losing 38-21. The Canes were the better side in the first half, and could’ve piled on more points but were unable to execute when it counted.
Jamie Booth was the best player on the park throughout the first forty-minutes, running in support to finish or prolong a couple of counter attacks from his side. Booth ran in support of Jordie Barrett five minutes in, a play that started 30-metres out from the Canes line, but finished with Vince Aso crossing in the corner.
The two sides headed into the sheds at the half-time locked at 14-all.
The home side took control in the second and the Hurricanes had no answers, with the Highlanders going on a 24-0 run to secure the win. Hurricanes number eight Ardie Savea was yellow carded with just under 25-minutes to play, and a penalty try was also given which gave the Highlanders all the momentum.
While the Hurricanes were impressive in the first and that does have to count for something, it’s an 80-minute game. Here’s how the Hurricanes rated in the final match of Super Rugby Aotearoa:
1. Ben May – 5.5/10
In his final match in Super Rugby, the experienced loosehead prop was largely ineffective against the Highlanders. While the Canes had a stable scrum, he made the fewest tackles of any starting forward and only had three carries as well.
2. Dane Coles – 5.5
It was a frustrating night for the All Blacks hooker. While he was accurate in his few opportunities throwing into the lineout, he didn’t get much of an opportunity to shine in either attack or defence.
3. Tyrel Lomax – 6
In a poor Hurricanes display, Lomax managed to reach double figures in defence. He also got involved a few times in attack but his impact is still not quite there.
4. James Blackwell – 7
Blackwell is probably the hardest working guy in the Hurricanes side. When the going got tough on Saturday and the Canes were down by a big score, the second rower was constantly getting busy in both attack and defence.
5. Scott Scrafton – 7.5
In a losing side, Scrafton was at times a shining light for the Hurricanes. He created the break for the opening five-pointer of the match with a brilliant cut-out, bounce pass to Jordie Barrett. The lock also nearly sent Prinsep over for a try later in the half had it have not been for a forward pass. Most impressively, he was regularly a nuisance for the Highlanders lineout during the dominant first half. He had less of an impact after the break with his side on the back foot, but he still did his job.
6. Reed Prinsep – 6.5
Prinsep worked really hard against the Highlanders, both with brave runs and tough defence. He thought he’d scored a try in the fast half, running a direct line off Scrafton that saw him run through the Landers defence and under the posts from 40m; but the play was called back for a forward pass. Strong night in defence, especially around the breakdown, finishing with 12 tackles. Even when the scoreboard began to tick for the Landers, Prinsep didn’t stop, putting in a solid shift.
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi – 7
It was a quiet night in attack for the 23-year-old, who didn’t really get a chance to run in space. But the scoreboard could’ve been a lot uglier for the men from the capital had it not been for the flanker’s defensive performance – finishing with the most tackles of any player in the match with 18.
8. Ardie Savea – 6.5
Every time Savea gets his hands on the ball, he looks dangerous; constantly crossing the gain line with defenders hanging off him. Had a moment to forget that cost his dearly in the 57th minute, when he was yellow carded and gave away a penalty try for infringements around a Highlanders driving maul close to the line.
Of course this was going to happen in the final match of the competition ? #SuperRugbyAotearoa #HIGvHURhttps://t.co/AURMOtgcdg
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 15, 2020
9. Jamie Booth – 8
Even though the Hurricanes were well outplayed in the second half, they were the better team in the first and Jamie Booth was a large reason as to why that was. Coming in to replace co-captain TJ Perenara, Booth was the Hurricanes best player on Saturday afternoon. He both helped his side maintain their fast tempo and ran the ball with effectiveness while he was on the park. The scrumhalf also contributed heavily to the opening try, and scored a try of his own later in the first.
10. Jackson Garden-Bachop – 6.5
His organisation and leadership is probably his best traits on the rugby field, and that was clear throughout the first half, setting up the break that led to Jamie Booth’s try. Obviously Garden-Bachop struggled in the second as did his teammates, so there’ll be plenty of lessons learned heading into the Mitre 10 Cup season.
11. Chase Tiatia – 6.5
Every time he got the ball, it was an injection of energy for his side but he was unable to do anything with due to the Highlanders strong defence. Tiatia had a try ruled out 10-minutes into the second half for obstruction.
12. Peter Umaga-Jensen – 7
Switching to inside centre for this week, Umaga-Jensen still managed to score a try late in what’s been an impressive Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign for the 22-year-old. Didn’t have as much space to roam though and struggled at times because of it.
13. Billy Proctor – 6
Despite his energy, Proctor wasn’t able to make an impact against the Highlanders with limited carries.
14. Vince Aso – 7
It wasn’t a surprise to see Aso, a proven try scorer, cross over for the first try of the match; finishing off what might’ve been the try of the season. He was millimetres from a second later in the half, but he stepped into touch bizarrely without a defender pressuring him to do so.
15. Jordie Barrett – 6.5
Barrett has really stood up as a playmaker this season, and showed that again in the first half; he nearly set up Aso for his second try had the winger not stepped into touch. Some tough hits in defence as well, so it’ll be fun to see where, how and if he fits into representative plans going forward.
Solid showings from the Highlanders all-round – especially after they sprung to life in the third quarter of the match. #SuperRugbyAotearoa #HIGvHURhttps://t.co/9cgBtldteY
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 15, 2020
Reserves:
16. Ricky Riccitelli – 5.5/10
17. Tevita Mafileo – 6.5/10
Was effective when he got his hands on the ball.
18. Pouri Rakete-Stones – 5.5/10
19. Liam Mitchell – 5.5/10
20. Devan Flanders – 6/10
21. Jonathan Taumateine – N/A
22. Danny Toala – N/A
23. Salesi Rayasi – N/A
Comments on RugbyPass
Pot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
19 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
4 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
2 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
15 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
19 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
19 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
3 Go to comments1. True, if that “free” ticket means access to all but the prized exhibit - EVIP only. SA cannot host semis, even if they’ve earned it (see Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne at… Twickenham Stoop). 2. Why no selective outrage over Lyon doing the exact same thing a week earlier? Out of all the countries France send the most “B teams”, why nobody talking about “disrespect” and “prioritising domestic leagues” and “kicking them out”? 3. Why no mention of the Sharks fielding all of their Springboks for the second rate Challenge cup QF? No commitment? 4. Why no mention of all the SA teams qualifying for respective euro knock out comps in the two seasons they’ve been in it? How many euro teams have qualified for KO’s in their history? Can’t compete? 5. Why no mention of SA teams beating French and English giants La Rochelle and Saracens? How many euro teams have done that in their history? Add no quality? The fact is that SA teams are only in their second season in europe, with no status and a fraction of the resources. Since joining the URC, SA has seen a repatriation of a number of players, and this will only grow once SA start sharing in the profits of competing in these comps, meaning bigger squads with greater depth and quality, meaning they don’t have to prioritise comps as they have to now - they don’t have imports from Pacifica and South America and everywhere else in between like “European” teams have - also less “Saffas” in Prem and T14, that’s what we want right? 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in' True, and we have to ensure we give them the same status and resources as we give everyone else to do just that. A small compromise on scheduling will go a long way in avoiding these situations, but guess what, France and England wont compromise on scheduling because they ironically… prioritise their domestic comps, go figure!
19 Go to commentsthe success of the premiership can be summarized by : only 10 teams. It makes a huge difference with the overcrowded top 14 (let us not talk about Leinster and URC…)
1 Go to commentsGood for him. The ABs were fooling around again with converted fullbacks that had a penetration of a marshmallow. Laumape or as Aki has shown for Ireland, go forward is important in the centres. If it had been DMac - Aki- Aumua - Ioane- Telea- Jordan in France the final result would have been different.
4 Go to commentsDan Carter a apporté son professionnalisme, des méthodes de travail, un esprit qui manquaient à l’USAP. Son influence, même une fois blessé a été énorme. Et pour citer une anecdote, certains soirs il venait de lui-même à l’entraînement des jeunes pour dispenser ses conseils. On ne peut pas compter ce qu’il a apporté au club en heures de jeu sur le terrain. Est-ce que le club en a eu pour son argent ? Avec la publicité sur son nom et le titre, je suppose que oui.
1 Go to commentsThe SA sides are suffering from a bum rap here. There isn’t a side anywhere in the world that would do things differently in their shoes. They’ve been set up to fail in the EPCR comps by vested interests, with last minute intercontinental travel requirements that costs an arm and a leg to book in advance just on the possibility they might be required. And the total nonsense that denies any chance of home venues is entirely biased and absolutely unsporting. Either EPCR, the Top14 & the Gallagher Premiership get it sorted on a fair and equitable sporting basis for ALL participants or expect the ridicule to continue. Right now, these comps are a joke!
19 Go to commentsSA sides should do the right thing and leave the champions cup, they are lowering the standard with completely one sided games, not up to the right level. The greatest club tournament in the world is being banjaxed by the weak SA sides.
19 Go to commentsCouldnt agree more. SA sides need to show more committment and really have a go at the Champions Cup. Its quite possibly the most prestigious title in Europe and SA sides need to respect that prestige and serve up their best. EPCR needs to do more to ensure that sides from South Africa and sides travelling to and from SA have a better chance in this competition. The Bulls were put in a really difficult position of having to travel there and back in one week. One could argue that this is what the SA sides signed up for and that La Rochelle didnt complain or send out weakened sides despite having to travel to SA and back and play on successive weekends but surely the situation is also unfair on La Rochelle as well and so EPCR needs to think about successive gameweeks and the travel effect of the competition
19 Go to comments