Jason Rutledge was the workhorse of the Highlanders Development team.
He proved that he still has what it takes and played a key role in the Highlanders' nine-try, 63-10 romp over Japan A at Forsyth Barr Stadium last evening. He kept sniping away and hunted the ball at the breakdown, made ground with the pick-and-go and his tackling stopped the Japanese in their tracks.
The other key player in the Highlanders front row was tighthead prop Bronson Murray with his work in the scrum and his spot tackling.
Openside flanker Hugh Blake, with his speed and quick reactions at the breakdown, also featured. He put pressure on the Japan backline with his tackling and was instrumental in shutting down their attacks behind the advantage line.
The Highlanders led 21-3 at the break.
Highlanders No 8 and captain Paul Grant set the pattern for the six-try second spell by breaking down the middle from his own 22m a minute into the half.
First five-eighth Hayden Parker and Jayden Spence in the midfield impressed among the backs.
Parker was promising two years ago and good last year. He is now a seasoned player and brings a lot of maturity into his game. His spatial ability has developed and he can now sense where the opportunities lie. His long pass creates space for his outsides and he used a judicious tactical kick inside the 22m that led to a try by flying wing Tony Ensor.
Parker was ''dead-eye Dick'' with his goal kicking and landed nine conversions from the nine tries from all angles.
Spence was a strong tackler and showed strength in breaking the line to score two tries.
Fullback Trent Renata and Ensor were good finishers and both scored two tries.
The Japanese played with lots of passion but achieved little in results. They expended a lot of energy but it was more sound and fury instead of calculated attacks on the Highlanders line.
They attacked from set pieces too far out instead of choosing their moment.
When the Highlanders attacked from inside their own 22m it was from the unexpected, a breakdown or a breakout.
Japan was more effective when launching attacks from inside the Highlanders half and Issei Shige scored his side's only try from a sustained attack inside the Highlanders 22m late in the game.
The best Japanese players were No 8 Kyosuke Horie, flying wing Kenki Fukuoka and the inside pairing of Takahiro Ogawa and Takuya Yamasawa.
The Japanese players will have gained valuable experience from their tour of Australia and New Zealand. Their next match, the last of the six games, is against the Hurricanes Development team on Sunday.
