ODT Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire rates the Highlanders on their performance against the Sharks in Durban this morning.
Ben Smith 8/10: Had a hand in all three tries and was dangerous on the counter attack. Chased everything hard and for the most part kicked well too.
Richard Buckman 7.5/10: Was especially good in the first half where he made a handful of good runs and found space well.
Malakai Fekitoa 7/10: Ran a good angle to score a great try after a short ball from Smith. Kept on running hard for the rest of the game and was good defensively.
Phil Burleigh 6.5/10: Supported well to score the third try and was tidy in everything else he did, facilitating for his outside backs well.
Patrick Osborne 7.5/10: Really came to life in the second half where he was constantly in the game. Made numerous good breaks and threw a brilliant offload to set-up the third try.
Lima Sopoaga 7/10: Played with a positive mindset, running the ball and using his backline. Kicked his goals as he has done all season and cleared the line well under pressure.
Aaron Smith 8/10: Sniped and supported dangerously all day, finding gaps around the fringes and keeping up with the play. Passed well too, particularly considering the pressure the forward pack was under.
Nasi Manu 7/10: Fought hard for the entire game, making tackles and hitting the ball up strongly, just as the man has done so well all season.
Shane Christie 7.5/10: Another huge tackle count and was fast around the field.
Elliot Dixon 6/10: Worked hard and got to a lot of rucks, often the second or third man that goes unnoticed.
Joe Wheeler 6/10: You could not fault his effort, tackling hard and cleaning out well, although was part of a dysfunctional set-piece.
Jarrad Hoeata 6/10: Was probably the most physical of the Highlanders forwards in the first half, playing hard with the obvious intent of emptying the tank by halftime to make way for Tom Franklin.
Chris King 4.5/10: Another whose effort around the field could not be faulted, but was quite simply murdered in the scrums by a powerful Sharks pack.
Ged Robinson 5/10: Did well defensively, tackling well and trying to make a mess of the Sharks ball at the breakdown, but did not throw well and was unable to hook the ball in the scrum as the pack was going backwards.
Kane Hames 5/10: A big effort around the park, scored a try, made ten tackles and kept on popping up. Conceded a few scrum penalties though, a result of the pressure the pack was under.
Liam Coltman 5.5/10: Was probably marginally better than Robinson, threw okay and got involved.
JP Koen 5.5/10: Made a few tackles and added a bit to the scrum.
Tom Franklin 7/10: Was the best of the reserves, adding energy by making tackles and showing his ability in the air.
Josh Bekhuis (No Rating): Came on for the final few minutes when the team was trying anything to get their hands back on the ball.
Trent Renata (No Rating): Like Bekhuis, never really got a chance coming on so late and being on defence for the majority of that time.
Gareth Evans 6.5/10: Made one outstanding run up the middle and was highly involved around the park too, adding good energy 15 minutes into the second half.