ODT Online rugby correspondent Jeff Cheshire rates the Highlanders after their 20-17 victory over the Chiefs in Hamilton last night.
Ben Smith 7/10: Came into the line well and always made a metre in contact. Strong defensively, coming up with a huge tackle-turnover play as the last defender on Brad Weber.
Waisake Naholo 6.5/10: Did not see a whole lot of ball, but looked dangerous when in space. Nearly sparked something brilliant with Malakai Fekitoa in the dying stages.
Malakai Fekitoa 8/10: Brilliant on defence in his reads, tackles and breakdown work. Was superb in his support play too, so often being used as the first cleaner and being effective in the role. Played tighter on attack, but ran hard when he did get the ball and made a couple of breaks.
Shaun Treeby 6/10: Looked after the dangerous Chiefs midfield well and made an opportunistic break which led to a try in a situation which probably saved one at the same time.
Patrick Osborne 7/10: Was dangerous in space and took good options, although erred in running out upon covering the ball in the first half.
Lima Sopoaga 6/10: No more than solid, although admittedly did not see much ball.
Aaron Smith 6.5/10: Passed well and was excitably vocal. Made plenty of tackles, particularly a couple of covering ones early on.
Nasi Manu 6.5/10: Strong on defence and continued in his new attacking role, which sees him play tighter as a cleaner as opposed to a ball runner.
Elliot Dixon 6.5/10: Added physicality out wider and came up with a couple of big defensive plays, including tying up a maul along with Ash Dixon in desperate circumstances.
Gareth Evans 6/10: Played pretty tight and did well at the ruck.
Joe Wheeler 6.5/10: Got yellow carded in what turned out to be a costly move, although made plenty of tackles and also came up with an important breakdown turnover.
Mark Reddish 7/10: Was highly involved, being the team's leading tackler despite only playing 49 minutes. Safe at the lineout once again and hit everything hard.
Ma'afu Fia (No Rating): Left the field early with injury and did not appear to be in good shape.
Liam Coltman 7/10: Prominent on defence, getting involved in close and leading the chasing line well too. Threw well into the lineout and went forward with ball in hand.
Josh Hohneck 6/10: Struggled a bit at scrum time, but got through a ton of work in the first half.
Ash Dixon 7/10: Took off where Coltman finished, bringing physicality and combined with Elliot Dixon to tie up a maul which seemed headed for a certain try.
Brendon Edmunds (No Rating): Came on late and finished the game off well.
Ross Geldenhuys 5.5/10: Under pressure at scrum time, while being fairly loose on attack. Made a couple of good runs in the wider channels and supported play well.
Tom Franklin 6/10: Added some spark to the forward pack and got around the field well.
Dan Pryor 7.5/10: Outstanding as a terrier who was everywhere in the loose. Was strong in contact, active on defence and made a couple of good runs. Surely must push for a starting spot after three top performances.
Fumiaki Tanaka 6.5/10: Did well under pressure towards the end, providing good service and not trying to do too much.
Marty Banks 7.5/10: Tidy in general play and made two clutch kicks at goal to win the game.
Jason Emery 6/10: Pretty solid, got the ball into the hands of the dangerous runners towards the end when the game loosened up.
