ODT Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire rates the Otago players after their ITM Cup match win over Southland in Invercargill on Saturday.
Trent Renata 7/10: Threw an early intercept pass, but was good otherwise. Kicked well in behind and had his best game for Otago with ball in hand too. Came into first five-eighth at times and was brilliant in initiating the sequence for the first try.
Jayden Spence 6/10: Did not see too many chances on attack, but ran a good support line to link during the lead up to the first try. Was solid defensively and came up with a big turnover.
Michael Collins 6.5/10: Hardly put a foot wrong, defending well and making few mistakes on attack. Did well to run 80 metres to score an intercept try.
Tei Walden 6.5/10: Another very tidy player who combined well with Collins and did little wrong. Memorably broke a tackle and then offloaded to Fa'asiu Fuatai which led to Josh Renton's try.
Fa'asiu Fuatai 6.5/10: Did well with not a lot of ball, tried to get himself into the game and make an impact, running off Walden well to help set up the third try. Got too narrow and flat early on defence, but after this was fine in this department.
Hayden Parker 7.5/10: Kicked exceptionally well, finding space and giving the team good field position early. Was good kicking for goal too, with his misses being unlucky ones from tough chances. Ran the back line well and got the ball through his hands quickly.
Josh Renton 6.5/10: Seems to be getting better, showed glimpses of a kicking and running game. His main feature was once again his crisp pass, although at times was taking an extra step which was allowing the defence to get up on the ball receiver.
Charlie O'Connell 7/10: Worked tirelessly once again, taking the ball up the middle on attack, supporting play well and staying involved on defence.
James Lentjes 6.5/10: Was good defensively, got around the field well and made his tackles. Wrapped the ball up well to stop a lineout drive close to the line, with help from TJ Ioane.
TJ Ioane 7.5/10: Ran the ball hard and gave the team good forward momentum, especially early on. Was prominent defensively too and was one who scrambled very well under pressure.
Tom Franklin 6.5/10: Showed his strength in contact a couple of times, ripping the ball clean off his opponent at one time, and was very active on defence.
Joe Latta 7/10: Made his tackles and cleaned out well. Added physicality and showed good awareness at the breakdown.
Donald Brighouse 7/10: Stood up well at scrum time and if anything got the better of Jamie Mackintosh. Answered questions about his mobility too, getting through enough work and making a lot of tackles in close in the first half.
Liam Coltman 6/10: Got around the field well and claimed a good turnover under pressure, but was still a bit inconsistent in his throwing, although the Southland lineout competed well so this was not entirely on him.
Aki Seiuli 8/10: Just keeps getting better. Was prominent both as a ball carrier and as a tackler, while also doing well at set-piece. Would be unlucky to not pick up a Super Rugby contract if he keeps playing like this.
Sam Anderson-Heather 7/10: Imposed himself immediately on defence, tackling often and strongly. Really might be worth a start and is another who could be playing himself into a Super Rugby squad.
Hisa Sasagi 6.5/10: Got around the field well and was fairly well involved in the defensive effort in the final 15 minutes. Was under pressure in the scrum, but this was while Franklin was off the park which made a big difference to the scrum.
Jackson Hemopo 7.5/10: Looked really keen when he came on and was both strong and energetic. Tackled well, cleaned up a loose ball and supported well on attack.
Naulia Dawai 6.5/10: Carried on from where Ioane finished, added physicality and made one monster hit. Got through enough work and will definitely be worth giving another run.
Nick Ealey 6.5/10: Had a good snipe and a very accurate box kick. Passed reasonably well, although was under pressure from a Southland team that was creeping up on defence late in the game.
Tony Ensor (No Rating): Another who looked keen. Chased kicks hard and did well on defence in a short amount of time, although did not get any chances to use his pace on attack.
