ODT Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire rates the Highlanders after their 18-16 win over the Hurricanes last night.
Ben Smith 6.5/10: Made a couple of good breaks towards the end of the first half which got the team in position for a penalty kick. Covered well on defence.
Richard Buckman 7.5/10: So tidy in everything he did, took a couple of great high balls and covered Julian Savea well.
Malakai Fekitoa 7.5/10: Did not cut up like normal, but still was a handful for the defence. Made a couple of brilliant try-saving tackles on Julian Savea and came up aggressively on defence.
Shaun Treeby 6.5/10: Another who was rock solid on defence, looked after the attacking threats through the midfield well and was tidy on attack.
Jason Emery 6/10: Had a couple of good breaks early up the left wing and came into the line well once towards the end of the first half.
Hayden Parker 8/10: His kicking was crucial in the end and hit his second sweet drop goal in as many weeks. Passes well too, getting the ball through his hands quickly to give the runners a split second more room to work with.
Aaron Smith 6.5/10: Passed the ball beautifully off the ground, even more so than usual. Had a few issues at the back of the scrum, but was under all sorts of pressure and most halfbacks would have struggled. The conceded try was more unlucky than bad play.
Nasi Manu 9/10: Absolutely colossal once again, had by far the most carries and was the main source of go-forward on attack. Lots of tackles too and it was extremely worrying when he was struggling with a sore shoulder. Would be a huge loss if he misses any games.
Shane Christie 7.5/10: Was busy on defence and made some good tackles, snaffled three turnovers early too. Made a couple of good runs and was fast around the field.
Elliot Dixon 7/10: Worked hard the whole game, got to the defensive breakdown well to disrupt the ball and carried strongly. Came up with a big steal towards the back of the lineout too and took a couple on their own throw too.
Joe Wheeler 7/10: Made the most tackles of any Highlander and was physical in the contact situations. Worked hard in support on attack, clearing out well and keeping with the ball carrier.
Jarrad Hoeata 7/10: Toiled away hard for 45 minutes, providing good physicality and was prominent in the first half defensive effort.
Ma'afu Fia 7.5/10: No one worked harder in the first half and has easily his best game of the year. Was hugely prominent on defence and set the ball well a couple of times. Unlucky to be replaced as early as he was.
Liam Coltman 6.5/10: Another hard grafter through the first half, made 11 tackles in the first 40, although was perhaps a bit quiet on attack.
Kane Hames 6.5/10: The scrum was under pressure, but he came up with a big time play to earn a penalty under pressure, getting underneath his man and forcing him up. Tackled well.
Ged Robinson 6.5/10: Carried on Coltman's work, made his tackles during a period where the team was under a lot of pressure and had little ball.
Matias Diaz 6/10: Was under pressure from Ben Franks at scrum time, but made his tackles and got over the ball well at the breakdown.
Tom Franklin 7.5/10: Made seven tackles in his 35 minutes which is a great rate and worked hard in the same vein as Hoeata.
Gareth Evans (No rating): Out-jumped Victor Vito, the best No. 2 lineout jumper in the country, for a crucial take late in the game when it needed to be closed out. Was his only real impact, but it was a hugely significant one in the context of the game.
Phil Burleigh 6/10: Did not get too many chances as the team was on defence and at times stretched and under pressure while he was on, but was tidy and did not do much wrong.
