ODT Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire rates the Highlanders after the 21-14 victory over the Hurricanes which netted them the Super Rugby title.
Ben Smith 9/10: Was dangerous coming into the line and made a few good runs. In a key moment in the game, he made a tackle on Blade Thompson up the right wing and then got up to intercept an offload.
Waisake Naholo 9/10: Defended exceptionally well, hauling in Julian Savea a couple of times when he got on the outside. Snaffled a breakdown turnover too, chased everything hard, looked dangerous with ball in hand and did a great job to finish off the second try.
Malakai Fekitoa 9/10: Brought bundles of energy, running hard at the line and usually committing at least two defenders. Was very good with his breakdown work, particularly in support and was solid on defence.
Richard Buckman 9.5/10: Absolutely outstanding. Looked after a very potent Ma'a Nonu, reining him in every time he looked like getting through. Ran dangerously too and had a couple of good touches. Must be close to the most underrated player in the country.
Patrick Osborne 9/10: Came into the line and went looking for work on attack. Was threatening with ball in hand and was relentless with his kick chase.
Lima Sopoaga 9/10: Kicked well, putting the team into a strong position at half-time with two penalties and a sideline conversion. Put the ball in behind the Hurricanes defence well too, while also running dangerously and taking good options.
Aaron Smith 9.5/10: Considering the pace this game was played at, it is near unbelievable that Smith got to every ruck and was always one of the first there. Passed well, put Elliot Dixon into space for his try, made ten tackles and did so much more that there really is not room here to go in to.
Nasi Manu 9/10: A performance typical of the man in his final game for the Highlanders. Got around the field so well, was physical in contact, whether it be at the ruck, providing go-forward with ball in hand, or making one of his 13 tackles.
James Lentjes 8.5/10: Was fast around the park and made a handful of tackles. Has done phenomenally well to step up to the pace and physicality of this level at such short notice.
Elliot Dixon 9.5/10: Had a superhuman night in his 50th match. Made more tackles than anyone with 16 and was constantly in support at the ruck. In the defining moment of the game he picked off a lineout and then a few phases later carried four Hurricanes over the line to score an incredible try. Also rolled a Hurricanes player onto his back early in the first half, which combined with a great effort from Aaron Smith, saved a try.
Alex Ainley 9.5/10: Another near superhuman performance. Got around the field so quickly and was impressive in both the tight and the loose. Tackled Milner-Skudder and Nonu in the open, along with plenty of others in the tight. Was fast to the breakdown in support and just seemed to keep popping up.
Mark Reddish 9/10: Worked hard in the tight, was fast around the park, made some good tackles and supported well at the breakdown.
Josh Hohneck 9/10: Similar to the other tight forwards, got around the field well, was always quick to get back in the game after doing something, made plenty of tackles and was rock solid at set-piece.
Liam Coltman 9/10: Did not stop tackling, making more than everyone except Elliot Dixon and only played 50 minutes. Was on the money with his lineout throwing, worked hard in support, won two turnovers and was strong carrying the ball.
Brendon Edmonds 9/10: Steely on defence, bringing huge intensity around the fringes and getting up fast. Ran strongly with ball in hand and was another who was fast around the field and in support.
Ash Dixon 8.5/10: Carried on the intensity, made a handful of tackles and was physical and direct.
Dan Lienert-Brown 8.5/10: Probably his best performance in a Highlanders jersey. Got around the field at a great pace, made a couple of good tackles, was accurate at the ruck and the scrum remained strong when he came on.
Ross Geldenhuys 8.5/10: Made a handful of tackles, was strong in the scrum and made the key play to come around and take the ball carrier after the Hurricanes attempted-maul.
Joe Wheeler 8.5/10: Strong in the tight, made his tackles and was prominent towards the end in closing out the game.
Gareth Evans 8.5/10: Made an immediate impact with a fast kick chase which forced a dropped ball. Had a good lineout take and made sure he was involved for the final ten minutes.
Shane Christie 8.5/10: Replaced Lentjes at half-time and was prominent. Made seven good tackles and got his hands on the ball a few times. Exceptionally good for someone who missed nearly the whole season with injury.
Fumiaki Tanaka: Did not play.
Marty Banks 9/10: Was composed and closed the game well. Kicked a drop goal, nearly set up a try after ghosting past multiple Hurricanes defenders on what was initially supposed to be a drop goal attempt, while also recovering well on another drop goal attempt which had to be bailed on.
Team Rating 10/10: Ultimately it was the way everyone stepped up and played out of their skins in a game that was a level up from anything we have seen this year that was the difference. There was no one who did not have an outstanding game and it was that consistency across the board, for a third week in the row, that was so important. Not only did they perform well as individuals, but they gelled together as a team and all did their jobs within that, which in the end was crucial. A ten implies the ultimate performance and really you could not ask for a more ultimate performance than this one.
