ODT Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire rates the Highlanders on their performances in the Super 15 semifinal win over the Waratahs on Saturday night.
Ben Smith 8.5/10: Threatened well from the back. Ran dangerously when he decided to take the line on and kicked well to get the ball in behind the Waratahs defence.
Waisake Naholo 9/10: Scored a sensational try which was pivotal, but made a huge impact on defence, chasing the kicks hard to cut down the Waratahs space and then making that count by making 12 tackles.
Malakai Fekitoa 8/10: Ran hard when he got his chances, although was another who made a huge impact on defence with his chasing and ability to line up opposition runners and knock them over. Comprehensively outplayed Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Richard Buckman 8/10: Scored an outstanding try after creating something from nothing, while being solid on defence aside from one miss on Michael Hooper.
Patrick Osborne 8/10: Saw more ball this week and made the most of it. Chased hard, ran dangerously and came into the line on occasion. Timed his run well and put on a good left foot step to score his try.
Lima Sopoaga 8.5/10: Was key in the kicking game that was so successfully employed. Stayed calm and got the ball in behind the Waratahs well, while also looking dangerous when he did run and making a few tackles.
Aaron Smith 8.5/10: Passed quickly and gave flat ball, while finding space when he kicked. Was threatening running from the base once more and made a great read to get the intercept to score the first try.
Nasi Manu 9/10: Took the game by the scruff of the neck and got the team on the front foot with some strong runs. Outstanding on defence too, making 12 tackles and was strong in contact.
James Lentjes 8/10: Did not stop tackling all night and was at least the equal of Michael Hooper around the park. Pretty impressive considering his lack of experience at this level.
Elliot Dixon 8/10: Brought intensity on defence, getting up quickly and cutting down the Waratahs' space. Worked hard all night and hardly put a foot wrong.
Mark Reddish 8.5/10: Keeps getting better and better. Did not stop working, was fast around the field and got to rucks quickly, while tackling well too. Outstanding at lineout time.
Alex Ainley 8.5/10: Similar to Reddish, outstanding in the lineout and worked tirelessly in the tight to get to rucks and tackling in close.
Josh Hohneck 8/10: Another who just worked the whole game, got around the field well and was highly involved in the tight. Strong at set-piece too.
Liam Coltman 8.5/10: Played like he had a point to prove after not being selected in the All Blacks. Led the defence in getting up fast and making the tackle, connected with some exceptionally good throws at lineout time and had one barnstorming run with ball in hand.
Brendon Edmonds 8/10: Just like the other tight forwards, worked hard to get around the field quickly, making it to rucks and also being active on defence. Really was a game where you could have said the same thing about the whole tight five they were that good as a unit.
Ash Dixon 7.5/10: Took over from Coltman and slotted straight in. Was physical and mobile, getting to rucks and supporting play well.
Dan Lienert-Brown 7.5/10: Was solid around the park and maintained the scrum strength that was evident from the starters.
Ross Geldenhuys (No Rating): Played the final ten minutes and closed the game out well. Did well in the scrum prior to the final try, when the Highlanders got the Waratahs on to the back foot.
Joe Wheeler (No Rating): Came on at the same time as Geldenhuys and claimed a lineout steal near the back. Did not get a chance to make an impact but great to see him back out on the field.
Gareth Evans 8/10: Made an immediate impact after coming on. Had a crucial lineout steal at the front from pure explosiveness, while also making a handful of tackles and getting his hands on the ball.
Shane Christie 8/10: Played his first game of the year and went well. Made the crucial run which led to the sequence in which the Highlanders were able to get into position to score their penalty try.
Fumiaki Tanaka: Did not play.
Trent Renata (No Rating): Was fairly tidy when he came on to replace Sopoaga briefly in the first half.
