ODT Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire rates the Otago players after their loss to Hawkes Bay in their Ranfurly Shield challenge in Napier yesterday.
Trent Renata 2.5/10: Terrible defensively. Was hung out to dry on a couple of occasions, but got run through a few too many times after simply not being committed enough in the tackles. Got stood up so badly by a forward he did not even get a hand on the ball carrier.
Jayden Spence 4.5/10: Probably the most lively of the backs, which is not saying much. Got caught out up the wing a few too many times, although this had a lot to do with the narrow defence Otago were using.
Kieran Moffat 3.5/10: Fell off a tackle which led to a try and was ineffectual on attack. Got better in the final 20 minutes, but dropped a ball in a prime attacking position.
Tei Walden 5/10: Guilty of missing the odd tackle too, but at least provided a bit of direction on attack and was one of the better backs defensively.
Fa'asiu Fuatai 3.5/10: More or less ineffectual as well.
Hayden Parker 5.5/10: Did not have much to work with and was tidy, but hardly sparked anything either. Good effort on defence.
Josh Renton 3/10: Got pushed off a cover tackle after going too high for a second game in a row. Was still taking an extra step when passing and only once did he really looked threatening from the base.
Charlie O'Connell 6/10: Worked hard and made his tackles, but could not get his running game going, had a bad day at the back of the scrum and was just out-muscled by the bigger opposition.
James Lentjes 7.5/10: The one bright spot for Otago. Lentjes was outstanding, into everything and made a ton of tackles, while also doing well at the breakdown. Set up Otago's best try scoring chance after hitting the ball at a nice line. Only mistake came in dropping the lineout five metres out.
TJ Ioane 7/10: Was the only one who really provided any go-forward. Did not stop fighting and was aggressive carrying the ball and tackling.
Tom Franklin 5/10: A bit quiet, although did make a couple of good runs.
Joe Latta 5/10: Made his tackles, but was not the physical presence he normally is.
Mike Mata'afa 5/10: Had a good run and offload close to the line. Not too shabby in close and at times was okay in the scrum.
Liam Coltman 6/10: Got stuck in, made his tackles and supported play well.
Aki Seiuli 6.5/10: Solid at set-piece and was pretty active on both attack and defence, although fell off the odd tackle.
Sam Anderon-Heather 5.5/10: Came on at a tough time when there was not much to play for. Got a breakdown turnover and threw himself around.
Donald Brighouse 6/10: Held up well in the scrum and made a few tackles in the tight.
Jackson Hemopo 6/10: Got involved, making a few tackles and taking a couple of lineouts, but made the odd mistake too, including a lineout slap-back close to the line which put the team under pressure.
Lee Allan 5/10: Another of the reserves who came on and was tidy without really making an impact.
Hugh Blake 6/10: Got his hands on the ball and tried to create something on attack, but otherwise did not get too many chances.
Nick Ealey 4/10: Had his better moments, but took some wrong options and his service was not as good as in previous games.
Peter Breen 5.5/10: Another who came on and tried to create something, but never really did anything outside his own half.
