ODT Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire rates the Highlanders after their loss to the Waratahs in Sydney.
Ben Smith 6.5/10: Was the most lively of the Highlanders backs and made a couple of good breaks despite getting few opportunities.
Richard Buckman 6/10: Did well defensively, limiting the damage up his wing, but like the other outside backs he had precious few chances with the ball in space.
Malakai Fekitoa 5.5/10: Also did a few good things defensively notably a couple of good spot-tackles, but could not get his attacking game going and made a couple of mistakes.
Shaun Treeby 4.5/10: Had the unenviable stat of missing more tackles (five) than he made (four), although this had as much to do with how good the Waratahs were as how bad he was.
Patrick Osborne 5/10: Made a few tackles, but like the others just did not get any space to threaten on attack and was well-contained by a tenacious defence.
Lima Sopoaga 4.5/10: Was admittedly under a lot of pressure, but did not kick especially well and threw some shaky passes. He also missed three tackles while only making one.
Aaron Smith 5.5/10: Got yellow carded after getting into an awkward position early. Was okay without being spectacular other than this, possibly threw some passes a bit flat.
Nasi Manu 7/10: The only Highlander to really get any consistent go-forward, was the leading tackler and the best ball-carrier.
Shane Christie 6.5/10: Tackled well and was good at the breakdown in the early stages, but had a tough job as the openside flanker in a team that was under pressure all day.
Elliot Dixon 6/10: Pretty tidy, worked hard, making his tackles and chasing hard, while also having a couple of good runs.
Joe Wheeler 6.5/10: Supported well at the ruck and worked hard until he was subbed at in the 52nd minute.
Tom Franklin 6/10: Good at the lineout and got through some work, although quieter than normal.
Chris King 6.5/10: You have to wonder why he was taken off, the scrum was operating well with him on and he was solid in what he did around the park.
Brayden Mitchell 4.5/10: Left the field early with an injury, but was off the mark with his lineout throwing on two of his three throws.
Kane Hames 7/10: Probably the best performing Highlander for the second week in a row. Strong in the scrum for the most part and got through plenty of work.
Ged Robinson 6.5/10: Far better throwing to the lineout and was pretty tidy defensively.
Matias Diaz 3/10: Was murdered in the scrum, which went from dominant to awful with his introduction.
JP Koen (No Rating): Came on for Diaz in the last five minutes so did not get too much to do, although the scrum looked better with him in it.
Josh Bekhuis 5.5/10: Came on at a tough time and never really got in the game. Made a few tackles and got a turnover.
Lee Allan 7/10: One of the better Highlanders on show, came on and added energy, attacking the ball aggressively and snaffling a couple of turnovers.
Fumiaki Tanaka (No Rating): Came on late, distributed well.
Hayden Parker 5.5/10: Took the line on a couple of times well, but like Sopoaga, was under a lot of pressure.
Phil Burleigh (No Rating): Put a couple of nice kicks in behind, the second of which led to a good individual try, which was the only thing to write home about in a terrible second half.