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ODT Online rugby contributor Jeff Cheshire rates the Otago players after their win over Auckland.
Left the field with injury just ten minutes in so did not get a lot to do, but made a good tackle in the corner in the first minute.
Buxton Popoalii 6/10: Blew hot and cold, capable of brilliance such as his well-taken try and his kick-tackle-turnover effort, but also rushed up and missed a tackle and made a handful of other mistakes.
Kieran Moffat 6/10: Pretty solid, put a couple of good hits in and was generally tidy on attack, although he was perhaps guilty of holding when he should have passed at times.
Jayden Spence 6.5/10: Made a few good runs and was safe on defence, notably making a good tackle and getting up to secure a turnover which led to Popoalii's try. He looked okay once he went onto the wing too.
Matt Faddes 6/10: Looked dangerous at times, particularly in the second half, but didn't have a whole lot to work with.
Hayden Parker 7.5/10: Ran dangerously and threw some good passes to his outsides. Kicked well too, other than his fourth minute shocker that led to Auckland kicking a penalty.
Fumiaki Tanaka 7/10: Passed well and did a good job of drawing defenders running a few steps across the field from the ruck at the right times.
Paul Grant 7/10: Worked hard, making his tackles and running strongly with ball in hand. Made an impact in the contact situations and won his lineout ball too.
Was everywhere once again, making a lot of tackles and getting his hands on the ball a bit.
Gareth Evans 6.5/10: Was strong on defence and worked hard, getting around the field quickly. Competed well at the front of the lineout.
Charlie O'Connell 6.5/10: Another who just never stopped, tackling all day and was reliable when called upon at lineout time.
Tom Donnelly 7/10: Tackled well out wide, did well in the lineout and scored a good try from a Parker crosskick.
Scott Manson 7/10: Kept getting better as the game went on, was fairly strong on defence and got a good turnover. Gets credit for a scrum which improved, after being under pressure early on.
Liam Coltman 8/10: Was everywhere, making tackles and being used as a forward runner off the ruck. His throwing was generally good and he pushed Donnelly over the line for his try on the crosskick.
Tama Tuirirangi 5.5/10: Did well around the field making tackles, but was under pressure in a scrum that improved after he went off in the 30th minute.