After Otago's epic Ranfurly Shield victory over Waikato last night, ODT Online rugby contributor Jeff Cheshire rates the players on their performance.
Tony Ensor 7/10: Made a couple of kicking errors, but was okay other than this taking his high balls and had a hand in setting up the first try. Was unfortunate to have his game ended the way it was after copping a late shot.
Kieran Moffat 7.5/10: Worked hard all night, chasing ball and looking for work, while also looking okay with ball in hand too. His best play came when he ripped the ball straight out of Matt Vant Leven's arms.
Michael Collins 7/10: Had a couple of defensive misses late in the first half, but fixed this in the second half and was important in ensuring the Waikato backline seldom threatened. Tidy enough on attack too.
Peter Breen 8/10: Outstanding on defence, making a lot of tackles and showing he didn't mind playing tougher. Very heady on attack too, kicking very well in field and looked good when forced to go to fullback for the final 25 minutes.
Fa'asiu Fuatai 7/10: Didn't get too many chances on attack but was very good on defence, making a handful of good tackles and the two breaks up his wing towards the end of the first half weren't his fault.
Hayden Parker 9/10: Simply outstanding, didn't miss a kick at goal, steered the team around the field well, made some crucial tackles and even backed up well to score a try.
Fumiaki Tanaka 8/10: A typical sort of performance from Tanaka, providing good, fast ball for his backs to work with and scrapped hard on defence.
Paul Grant 8/10: Became more prominent as the game wore on, making his tackles and running strongly, particularly off the back of the scrum.
Lee Allan 8.5/10: Was into everything in his 50 minutes, making plenty of tackles and supporting well on attack. That he was taken off so early shows the quality of the depth of the loose forwards in this team.
Gareth Evans 9/10: Perhaps the best player of the park, made plenty of tackles, but more crucially was able to effect a handful of turnovers at crucial times, one of which led to a try and one of which probably saved one. Good at lineout time too, while also running strongly with ball in hand.
Tom Franklin 8/10: Safe in the lineouts, winning his own ball and stealing one from Waikato. Made a few runs and went looking for tackles to make in close much like the rest of the forward pack. Gets half a mark for his ‘chip' ahead to Ioane for the second try, which was instrumental in the winning of the game whether intentional or not.
Tom Donnelly 7/10: Worked hard and was more physical in the tight this week. Fell off one tackle but made up for it with plenty of others. Mainly tapped down his lineout ball, but did so accurately so he can't be criticised for this.
Scott Manson 7/10: Strong in close on both attack and defence, while also ensuring the scrum held up okay against a reasonably good pack.
Liam Coltman 9/10: Another who was everywhere, went looking for tackles and made them all. Was strong running the ball and his lineout throwing was good, with only one not straight.
Craig Millar 7/10: Held up in the scrum while also popping up around the field in support and in defence. Is doing exceptionally well considering this was only his second ITM Cup game.
Sam Anderson-Heather 7.5/10: Came on for the final ten minutes and just tackled and did so strongly. Was exceptionally prominent in the final defensive phase and did everything you could ask for from a player coming on in this situation.
Tama Tuirirangi 7.5/10: Got up fast on defence and certainly looked energetic when going into contact. Showed his versatility by scrumming on both sides.
Charlie O'Connell 8/10: Came on and scrapped hard, getting involved on defence and carrying on the work of the starters well.
TJ Ioane 9/10: An absolute menace for 30 minutes once again, strong carrying the ball and made some big tackles. Scored the pivotal try in the 63rd minute, and what's more, this came from a turnover he created 50 metres up the field.
Willis Scott 8/10: Was only on for a few minutes but more four or five tackles in this time, which is all you can ask from him considering the team was hard on defence for this entire period.
Josh Renton: Did not play.
Jayden Spence 7/10: Pretty solid in his return game, made his tackles but did not see too many opportunities to attack.
Team Rating 10/10: They won the Ranfurly Shield, something that no Otago team has done for 56 years, so if ever a 10 was to be given, it surely has to be here. It was as a collective that they excelled, showing great attitude and uncompromising defence, things that everyone was given credit for in their marks for this weeks, along with the fact that they were able to close out the game.
