Ratings are out of a possible 10.
Ben Smith: Quality player who broke the line at least once every game. Shame many of those runs came to nothing. 7.5
Kade Poki: Not quite as electric as last year and had issues with injuries. Lost a bit of pace. 6.5
Hosea Gear: Ran hard and straight but was heavily marked by many teams. Number of times he got the ball in space could be counted on one hand. 7
Kurt Baker: Hardly got a look-in. 5
Telusa Veainu: Unseen. Made little progress in two years and his future employment prospects look dim in the South. No rating.
Buxton Popoali'i: Got plenty of game time for a wider squad member. Electric but flighty to go with it. 6.5
Tamati Ellison: A class act, who kept getting better throughout the season. Solid defender and also impressive on attack. 7.5
Siale Piutau: Season never really got under way due to an ankle injury picked up before Christmas. Off to chase the yen. 6
Kendrick Lynn: See above, but because of a neck injury suffered in the first pre-season game. Future unknown. 6
Phil Burleigh: Looked at home initially at this level. But faded and lacks that yard of pace. 6
Colin Slade: Injury again ruined his season. Needs to go away and get his body completely right. 5
Lima Sopoaga: See above. 5
Chris Noakes: Has improved from when he was last in the South but still not completely decisive and a yard too slow at times. 6.5
Jimmy Cowan: Fine effort to reach 100 games for the franchise but a season too far perhaps. Never really got over a botched pass in the first game of the year. 5.5
Aaron Smith: A non-stop energiser in the No 9 jersey. His long, assured pass gave those outside the chance to get over the advantage line. Deserved All Black call-up. 8
Nasi Manu: Another solid effort from the Canterbury man. Hardly made any mistakes. 7
Elliot Dixon: Picked on potential two years ago and has not delivered. Injured too often. 4
John Hardie: Looked great in first four games before a broken toe ended his season, Big loss for team. 7.5
Doug Tietjens: Many asked whether he was the same player who just scrapped into Otago B a few years ago. Could not be adequately answered as he injured knee when needed. 5
Adam Thomson: As has been the usual story, started out like a house on fire. Mirrored the team somewhat as slowed down in second half of season. Still a class player at this level. 7.5
Jarrad Hoeata: That difficult second season made all the harder by a nasty chest injury. Did not get on to the paddock until mid-season and gradually found some form. 7
Josh Bekhuis: Brought up 50 games and did little wrong. But looks worn out and may need a few months out of the game. 6
Culum Retallick: Solid if not very spectacular. 5.5
Ma'afu Fia: Not a huge specimen. Took a while to adjust to the game at this level but eventually came into his own. Has promise. 6
Jamie Mackintosh: Captained the side well and got round the paddock. Scrummaging issues remain and needs to make more impact when he runs the ball up. 6.5
Bronson Murray: A versatile player who never got a start. 6
Andrew Hore: Experienced campaigner who never took a backward step. Not seen as often stealing turnovers at the breakdown as in previous years. 6.5
Jason Rutledge: The ideal man from the bench, who got on the field in every game. Interesting to see if he is asked back. 6.5
