ODT Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire rates the Highlanders players after their win over the Stormers at Forsyth Barr Stadium yesterday.
Ben Smith 7/10: Outstanding under the high ball both in-field and from kickoffs. Ran dangerously, kicked with good distance and was brilliant in cover defence.
Waisake Naholo 7.5/10: Made things happen, as he tends to, scoring two tries to turn the game, while also being a handful with the ball.
Malakai Fekitoa 7/10: Defended exceptionally well, especially early on where he tackled well and blocked the Stormers passing lanes well. Went on a few searching runs on attack and was drew defenders.
Shaun Treeby 7/10: Similar to Fekitoa, but more direct on attack.
Patrick Osborne 6.5/10: Went looking for the ball and made some good metres close in despite his lack of touches in open space.
Lima Sopoaga 7/10: Kicked well and was dangerous running and taking the ball to the line. Had a great pick up in the build up to the first try and had a strong game defensively.
Aaron Smith 7/10: Sniped well and showed great awareness to score a try on the base of the posts. Had one of his better passing games, comfortably passing well in excess of 20 metres to stretch the Stormers defence regularly.
Nasi Manu (No Rating): Left the field in the 19th minute and did not return, although was in the thick of things on defence until he went off.
James Lentjes 6.5/10: Played in the same way he did for Otago last year. He was a terrier on defence, making plenty of tackles, while also getting to the breakdown quickly.
Elliot Dixon 7.5/10: Went one better than Manu's 18 tackles from last week, coming up with 19, many of which were fairly solid too. Was never far from the action on attack and was hugely prominent in the outstanding defensive efforts.
Joe Wheeler 7/10: Another hard worker on defence who was also went looking for the ball on attack, throwing a couple of passes and hitting it up well.
Tom Franklin 7/10: Played in a similar manner to Wheeler, tackling well, carrying the ball and providing good, quick support at the breakdown.
Josh Hohneck 7/10: Struggled in the scrum a bit early on, but came right as the Stormers pack tired. Was physical in contact and got through plenty of work around the park.
Ash Dixon 6/10: A bit quiet, but still made a good run and secured a breakdown turnover to make up for a poor lineout throw directly before.
Brendon Edmunds 6/10: Supported play well on attack, often being paired with Tom Franklin in the midfield. Was physical in contact, putting one crunching hit in on fullback Cheslin Kolbe.
Liam Coltman 7.5/10: Absolutely outstanding in his line speed and work rate on defence. Added spark to the forward pack and never took a step back.
Daniel Lienert-Brown 6.5/10: Was much improved on last week, making a difference when he came on in the scrum and was busy on both attack and defence.
Pingi Tala'apitaga 5.5/10: Pretty quiet, but did not do a lot wrong in finishing the game off.
Mark Reddish 6/10: Was predictably physical and relatively tidy in what he did.
Dan Pryor 7/10: Defended well in the loose and ran strongly in the open.
Fumiaki Tanaka 6/10: Passed reasonably well, although with less width than Smith, while applying good pressure to the opposition first five-eighth well.
Marty Banks (No Rating): Pretty quiet, solid not spectacular.
Jason Emery 7/10: Carried on from Treeby in his two stints on the park, tackling well and looking keen on attack.
