Ben Smith 8/10: Made a handful of threatening ones, most of which he kept the ball alive off, throwing some dangerous offloads. Also came up with a couple of crucial defensive plays under pressure.
Waisake Naholo 8.5/10: Ran dangerously all night, scored two tries and looked like making a break every time he touched the ball.
Malakai Fekitoa 7.5/10: Exemplified the desperation in defence the whole team showed, while also making good reads and tackled well. Strong with ball in hand, usually gaining forward momentum despite being well-covered.
Richard Buckman 8/10: Hardly did a thing wrong all night. Took good options on attack, keeping a level head when things needed to settle down, but making a couple of good breaks too. Strong on defence, making 11 tackles and missing none.
Patrick Osborne 7/10: The ball did not go his way much, but what he did he did well, chasing kicks well and running hard when he did get the ball. Came up with one big tackle to save a potential try. Probably unlucky not to be awarded a try too.
Lima Sopoaga 7.5/10: Kept a cool head all night and took good options. Slotted all but one of his kicks, which was a tough one, and did a good job of directing things.
Aaron Smith 9.5/10: Was tempted to give him a ten. Quite simply he carried the team and then some. The best halfback performance at any level for many years and possibly the best individual performance ever by a Highlander. Brought bundles of energy, sniped well, was on point with his kicking, sprinted to the rucks to provide quick ball with his crisp, flat pass and made 11 tackles, primarily on forwards. Brilliant.
Nasi Manu 7.5/10: It was hard to believe he had not played in a month. Set the tone early on, bringing physicality in contact and never stopped working until he was replaced after 52 minutes.
Dan Pryor 8.5/10: Made plenty of tackles and worked hard in support play to get to the breakdown almost instantly when a Highlander went to ground. Will be a huge loss next week.
Elliot Dixon 8/10: Ranged up the right wing as per usual, but saw plenty of action as much of the game was played down that side. Tackled relentlessly and supported play well.
Mark Reddish 8.5/10: Had his best game of the season, going from strength to strength throughout. On defence he kept tackling and did so with plenty of strength, while hitting rucks hard and getting his hands on the ball a few times on attack. Good in the lineout and got around the field at the speed you would expect from a loose forward.
Alex Ainley 8/10: Hugely prominent in the defensive effort over the final 30 minutes. Got around the field in a similar way to Reddish and just kept on working in the tight.
Josh Hohneck 8.5/10: Another who got around the field exceptionally well, showing speed to get into positions to tackle and then making a big impact when he made them. Strong in the scrum and did well to play 80 minutes, something you do not often see at this level any more.
Liam Coltman 7.5/10: Very prominent in the first 20 minutes and pretty good thereafter too. Typical performance in which he kept working in the tight, tackling well, carried the ball and got to rucks.
Brendon Edmonds 7.5/10: Held his own against a much bigger opponent at scrum time in Ben Tameifuna, while also working hard in general play. Made a handful of tackles and secured a loose ball while under pressure at an important stage of the game.
Ash Dixon 7/10: Came on and kept up the intensity of the starters. Tackled well and closed the game out.
Dan Lienert-Brown 7/10: Made a big tackle not long after coming on to force the Chiefs on to the back foot while they were threatening. Was solid otherwise and like Dixon, closed the game out well.
Ross Geldenhuys: Did not play.
Joe Latta 7.5/10: Typical performance from Latta, brought intensity, got involved in the tight, hitting rucks and making a couple of tackles.
Gareth Evans 7.5/10: Took over the ranging role when he came on and did so effectively. Made a good tackle straight away and stayed involved for the rest of the game.
Fumiaki Tanaka: Did not play.
Marty Banks: Did not play.
Shaun Treeby: Did not play.
Team rating 9/10: As these ratings will suggest, everyone turned up in a game that they needed to play out of their skins. No one played poorly and in fact, no one did not play well. That sort of consistency across the board is rare. As a collective the intensity was evident, playing at a frenetic pace, supporting well and showing great desperation to scramble on defence.
