Player ratings - Highlanders v Chiefs

Ben Smith of the Highlanders after recieving a pounamu mere in recognition of his 100th Super...
Ben Smith of the Highlanders after recieving a pounamu mere in recognition of his 100th Super Rugby match during the round 16 Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Chiefs in Invercargill. Photo by Getty

ODT Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire rates the Highlanders after their 36-9 win over the Chiefs in Invercargill on Saturday night. 

Ben Smith 6.5/10: Had a quiet game by his usual standards, but did well to score his try and kicked well for the most part.

Waisake Naholo 7/10: Was dangerous whenever he touched the ball and supported well at the breakdown too. Scored an outstanding solo try in which he found a gap between the lineout and defensive line, before using straight speed to beat the cover.

Malakai Fekitoa 6.5/10: Defended well and was good in support at the breakdown, particularly early on where he kept on cropping up. Did not get too many chances on attack although he made one good break.

Richard Buckman 7/10: Tough on defence, making plenty of tackles and disrupting ball at the breakdown. Was tidy on attack and got himself wide enough to finish off the third try.

Patrick Osborne 7/10: Got more involved as the game went on and became a handful for the defence in the second half, forcing them to commit players to him. Beat three men to score his try, which really was the difference between the teams in the first half.

Lima Sopoaga 6.5/10: Kicked well, getting good height and allowing his chasers to contest, which the Chiefs did not handle well and kept the game down the right end of the park. Kicked well at goal too, in particular knocking over one from nearly halfway.

Aaron Smith 8/10: Was the mastermind behind three of the Highlanders four tries, as he manipulated the defence through switching direction and hitting the right runner. Passed well and kept popping up on defence.

Dan Pryor 7/10: Got through plenty of work, getting to plenty of rucks on attack and making a handful of tackles on defence.

John Hardie 7/10: Tackled well and was good in the loose, forcing a couple of turnovers and cleaning up some loose ball.

Elliot Dixon 6.5/10: Filled the role of ranging up the right wing and did reasonably well, being especially noticeable late in the first half. Showed good urgency on both attack and defence.

Tom Franklin 7.5/10: Probably the best of the forwards, got involved on defence and was never far from the play on attack.

Alex Ainley 6.5/10: Another who was strong in the tight, while also making one exceptionally good tackle in the open after a Chiefs break.

Josh Hohneck 7/10: Was physical around the park and made plenty of tackles. Had a reasonable night in the scrum too, particularly when you consider what the Chiefs did last time they played the Highlanders.

Liam Coltman 7.5/10: Seems to just carry on playing the same game every week at the moment. Never stopped tackling and was always close by in support at the ruck.

Brendon Edmonds 5.5/10: Gave away a few too many penalties and loses a point for that. Otherwise he worked hard and was part of a set-piece which held up well.

Ash Dixon (No Rating): Came on for the final six minutes and was part of the build up which saw the Highlanders secure their bonus point.

Dan Lienert-Brown (No Rating): Came on at the same time as Dixon and was pretty similar in that he did not get much of a chance, but helped in securing the bonus point.

Ross Geldenhuys (No Rating): Another who came on with six minutes to go and did nothing wrong.

Joe Latta (No Rating): Showed great urgency to dive on a loose ball shortly after coming on with six minutes to go. Otherwise was similar to the reserve front rowers.

Gareth Evans 6/10: One of two reserves who was introduced halfway through the second half. Did not do a lot wrong, although did not get too many chances to stand out either.

Fumiaki Tanaka: Did not play.

Marty Banks (No Rating): Came on at the same time as the tight forward reserves and was fairly tidy.

Jason Emery 6/10: Was solid although hardly got any chances, only touching the ball once in 25 minutes.

Add a Comment