ODT Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire rates the Highlanders after their 30-12 loss to the Blues in Auckland last night.
Ben Smith 7/10: Was the most lively of the backs, ran the ball back hard on the counter and always made metres, really needs to be used more on attack though.
Richard Buckman 5.5/10: The ball just didn't go his way, was tidy in what he did though. Did well defensively, coming up with a breakdown turnover under pressure.
Malakai Fekitoa 6/10: Pretty solid, read the game well on defence and was safe in that area. Threatened on occasion with the ball, but really didn't see enough chances either.
Phil Burleigh 5/10: Made a handful of tackles, but missed a few too. Was tidy but did not provide any of the spark and punch which was lacking from the attack.
Patrick Osborne 6.5/10: Looked good early on, took a couple of good high balls and did well with ball in hand. Saw less action as the game wore on and was another under-utilised player.
Lima Sopoaga 6.5/10: Kicked well, especially at goal where he slotted two tough shots. Perhaps could have run more, although he wasn't getting a lot of front-foot ball.
Aaron Smith 7/10: Was good other than one bad pass. Generally had a fast pass, ran dangerously at the right times and box kicked well.
Nasi Manu 7.5/10: Carried the ball well, going forward all the time and was one of the most active on defence.
Shane Christie 6.5/10: Came up with a big turnover under a ton of pressure, was fast to shut down the inside channel and defended strongly. Got his hands on the ball a couple of times too and hit one gap well.
Elliot Dixon 5.5/10: Worked hard, making his tackles and getting stuck in, but did not have a huge impact in the loose.
Jarrad Hoeata 6/10: Was particularly prominent in the first half where he made plenty of strong tackles and was one of the best players on the park. Was less so in the second half though and did not stand out in the same way. Deserves credit for a strong scrum on his side.
Brad Thorn 6/10: Physical in contact and made a lot of tackles in his 50 minutes, but gave away a couple of penalties from being too slow to roll away after being warned.
Chris King 7.5/10: Probably the busiest prop in New Zealand rugby, was the team's leading tackler and was one of the better supporters on attack. Strong in a scrum which was dominant.
Ged Robinson 6.5/10: Threw well into the lineouts, with the Highlanders winning all of his throws. Was pretty busy around the park too, making nine tackles in 50 minutes and hit one ball well on attack.
Kane Hames 7/10: Had a quiet game around the field compared to his usual high work rate, but was the star of the show at scrum time, getting all over Charlie Faumuina.
Liam Coltman 5.5/10: Came on to add some energy, but did not make a huge impact. Was solid around the field without being spectacular, although did throw well into the lineout.
Craig Millar 5/10: Came on and carried on the good work in the scrum bar one tighthead, but otherwise was a bit anonymous.
Ma'afu Fia 6/10: Made a couple of tackles and had a run, much better at scrum time this week too.
Joe Wheeler 5.5/10: Tried to get involved, but did not really flourish as an impact player.
TJ Ioane 6/10: Made a good hit and tried to get over the ball in the breakdown.
Fumiaki Tanaka 5/10: Passed well enough, but was not as lively as Smith and did not look to run, albeit without getting much of a chance to.
Hayden Parker 6.5/10: Took the ball to the line a couple of times and made a couple of tackles. Came on at a time when the team needed to chance their arm so was not needed to control the game, but was brave going into contact.
Shaun Treeby 6.5/10: Had a couple of nice touches, including one good run where he hit a gap well. Solid on defence.
