Peter Breen 5.5/10: Was tidy for the most part, but never really looked like threatening and didn't kick particularly well. Would be better to move back closer in where his play-making ability comes into play.
Kieran Moffat 6.5/10: Chased everything hard and was physical in contact. Not a player who is going to threaten, but worked hard all day and came up with some big plays on defence.
Jayden Spence 6.5/10: Did some good work on defence, making some good tackles and even secured a breakdown turnover. Solid rather than spectacular on attack, but supported Paul Grant well to score the first try which he deserves some credit for.
Michael Collins 6/10: Tackled well and chased hard, but like Spence, didn't really look like creating a lot on attack.
Hayden Parker 6.5/10: Missed a few kicks but was fairly good otherwise. Cleared well under pressure and was dangerous running.
Fumiaki Tanaka 6.5/10: Passed well as always, applied good pressure around the fringes too. He was the one who was beaten by Ihaia West for the decisive try, although maybe this just showed the class of West.
Paul Grant 7.5/10: Outstanding, particularly in the second half where he ran strongly and was prominent on defence. Never stopped trying and was arguably Otago's best player.
Lee Allan 7/10: Made plenty of tackles and tried to get over the ball where he could at the breakdown.
Tom Franklin 7.5/10: Made his tackles, got his hands on the ball and made some good runs, while being generally good at lineout time. Not much else you could ask from a lock really.
Tom Donnelly 6/10: Physical in contact, making some good tackles and a few strong runs. Loses a mark for being slightly behind the line on defence late in the first half, which led to a missed tackle and the first Hawkes Bay try.
Scott Manson 6.5/10: Was strong in close but also made a few tackles out wider, while also doing enough at scrum time if not excelling.
Liam Coltman 7.5/10: Immense on defence all day, making tackles and getting his hands on the ball. Had a couple of wonky lineout throws, but other than this you can hardly fault his performance.
Craig Millar 6.5/10: Got around the field well, making tackles and supporting well on attack. Did okay at scrum time, especially considering he was going up against Ben Franks in the second half.
Tama Tuirirangi 6.5/10: Carried on the work of Manson, gained parity at set-piece and popped up around the field.
Charlie O'Connell 7/10: Was outstanding upon his introduction, was a crucial support player in the first try, made his tackles, won a few lineouts and made his share of tackles.
TJ Ioane 7/10: A beast running the ball, always committing multiple players and even then not always being stopped. Loses half a mark for a loose offload which left the team under pressure.
Willis Scott (No Rating): Not on long enough to get a rating but was energetic and never far from the ball.
Josh Renton 6/10: It was a big ask to come on when he did, but he delivered and did not look out of place. Organised the team well and showed his good pass, although it would be better if he could do this straight off the ground without having to take a couple of steps. Didn't shy away from contact either, making a handful of tackles and ran on a couple of occasions.
Fa'asiu Fuatai 6/10: Didn't get too many chances, got caught flat-footed on defence on the final try but that wasn't really his fault. Was tidy enough and at times showed glimpses of the flair we have seen him possess at lower levels.
