Chiefs player ratings: All Blacks star ‘shows his class’ with hat-trick in triumph over Highlanders
Chiefs and All Blacks lock Tupou Vaa'i.
After a 41-24 win over the Highlanders in their Super Rugby Pacific encounter at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, here’s how the Chiefs squad performed on Friday.
Chiefs player ratings v Highlanders
15 Shaun Stevenson: The one-Test All Black had a solid outing at the back as he was also safe under the high ball and had some good moments on attack although he made little headway in the latter department. 6
14 Leroy Carter: Although he did not cross the whitewash this week, the 26-year-old continued with his impressive attacking form but was kept in check by the Highlanders’ defence. Impressed in the execution of his defensive duties with nine tackles made. 6
13 Daniel Rona: He was on the field for 69 minutes before being replaced by Cortez Ratima but gave a good account of himself as he was solid on attack and set up Samipeni Finau with a superb offload for the opening try. 7
12 Quinn Tupaea: The All Blacks midfielder showed some deft touches during the early stages when the Chiefs were dominating but was forced of in the 27th minute due to a head knock. Replaced by Josh Jacomb. N/A
11 Etene Nanai-Seturo: The former New Zealand Sevens representative was only on the field for 40 minutes but impressed during that period as he gained 61 attacking metres before Manasa Mataele replaced him. 6
10 Damian McKenzie: As usual, he was pulling the strings on attack and created several try-scoring opportunities for his team-mates while also impressing with his goal-kicking and finished with an 11-point contribution after slotting four conversions and a penalty. 8
9 Xavier Roe: The nippy scrum-half came into the starting XV and gave a good account of himself as he impressed on attack and crossed for a well-taken try just after half-time. He also did well on defence where he made nine tackles. 8
8 Wallace Sititi: The 22-year-old continued with his fine form since returning from injury a few weeks ago as he put in a big shift as a ball carrier while also doing well on defence where he made 11 tackles. 7
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7 Luke Jacobson (c): The Chiefs captain made his mark with a fine performance either side of the ball as he gained 22 attacking metres and finished with 12 tackles made. 7
6 Samipeni Finau: The 26-year-old returned to the run-on side and hit the ground running as he crossed for the opening try early on and continued to impress as the match progressed. He eventually gained 36 metres and made eight hits. 8
Fine all-round display
5 Tupou Vaa’i: The All Blacks star showed his class with a fine all-round display, especially with ball in hand, and was rewarded with a hat-trick of tries. Vaa’i also did brilliantly on defence, finishing with a match-high 14 tackle completions and won his fair share of lineout balls. 9
4 Josh Lord: Gave good support to Vaa’i in the lineouts as he was a valuable source of possession at the set-piece but less prominent in other areas and was replaced by Naitoa Ah Kuoi in the 57th minute. 6
3 Reuben O’Neill: Had a moment of madness when he was yellow carded for a reckless cleanout of Jack Taylor at a ruck during the latter stages of the first half. That proved costly as the Highlanders scored a try during that period. Was solid in the execution of his core duties. 5
2 Bradley Slater: Came into the run-on side for this match as he gave a good account of himself on either side of the ball before Samisoni Taukei’aho replaced him after 53 minutes. Slater finished with 20 metres gained and eight tackles made. 7
1 Jared Proffit: He did what was expected of him as he was solid in the scrums and got through plenty of defensive work – especially at close range – and made 11 hits. 7
Replacements: Most of the Chiefs’ back-up players impressed when they came on with the likes of Taukei’aho and Ollie Norris leading the way up front while Mataele and Ratima had some good moments amongst the backs. 8
