Chiefs player ratings: ‘Possible All Blacks bolter’ shines in one-sided victory over Moana Pasifika
Leroy Carter and Cortez Ratima (inset) both scored hat-tricks for the Chiefs against Moana Pasifika.
After their 85-7 victory over Moana Pasifika in their Super Rugby Pacific encounter at the FMG Stadium in Hamilton, here’s how the Chiefs squad performed on Saturday.
Backline brilliance proves decisive
15 Shaun Stevenson: The one-Test All Black proved a real handful to Moana’s defence as he gave his side good momentum from the back with several outstanding line breaks. 8
14 Emoni Narawa: The All Blacks flyer showed some deft touches during the game’s early stages but was forced off in the 16th minute when he failed a HIA after a head knock. Replaced by Gideon Wrampling. N/A
13 Daniel Rona: The 25-year-old thrived on attack as he also crossed for one of his team’s 13 tries and was solid on defence throughout. 8
12 Quinn Tupaea: Continued with his excellent form as he caught the eye with a superb attacking display, while he also impressed on defence. Scored a well-taken try in the opening half. 8
11 Leroy Carter: The rookie flyer was arguably his team’s best player as he delivered an outstanding attacking performance and was rewarded with a hat-trick of tries for his efforts. Came close to scoring a fourth five-pointer late on but couldn’t control the ball behind the try-line. He has now scored nine tries in Super Rugby Pacific this season and could be a possible All Blacks bolter. 9
10 Damian McKenzie: The diminutive fly-half was at his brilliant best as he once again pulled the strings in the Chiefs backline during a superb attacking performance. Finished with a 23-point contribution after crossing for a try and nine conversions. 8
9 Cortez Ratima: Like Carter, the All Blacks scrum-half also crossed for a hat-trick of tries after catching the eye with his brilliance on attack. He also provided a slick service to his outside backs and was brave on defence. 8
Back-row
8 Wallace Sititi: The All Blacks star drew a lot of defenders with a strong run in the build-up to Stevenson’s try and continued to be influential as the match progressed. Made his presence felt with further superb carries and some deft offloads on attack. Replaced by Samipeni Finau in the 55th minute. 8
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7 Luke Jacobson: The Chiefs skipper led his troops well and delivered a solid performance on attack while also doing well on defence, where he thwarted several Moana attacks. 7
6 Simon Parker: Won a crucial turnover early on and continued to be influential as the match progressed. Delivered an outrageous offload in the build-up to one of Ratima’s tries and put in a big shift on attack and defence. 8
Pack power
5 Tupou Vaa’i: Continued with his excellent form as he was a valuable source of lineout possession, but also shone in general play. Caught the eye with a charge down of a Patrick Pellegrini clearance kick deep inside Moana territory, which led to one of the Chiefs’ tries and also crossed the whitewash himself. 8
4 Naitoa Ah Kuoi: The former New Zealand U20 representative did what was expected of him in the lineouts, was a willing ball carrier and put his body on the line on defence. 7
3 George Dyer: The Chiefs held the upper hand in the scrums with Dyer dominating his direct duel against Tito Tuipulotu while also defending well during a 54-minute shift. 7
2 Samisoni Taukei’aho: The All Blacks hooker was a willing all carrier during his 54 minutes on the field and was rewarded with a try for his efforts. He also competed ferociously at the breakdowns and impressed on defence. 8
1 Ollie Norris: Like the rest of the front-row, he was on the field for 54 minutes before being replaced, but made a big impact during that time, especially at the scrums where he got the better of Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou. 7
Replacements: The Chiefs’ reserves continued with the good work of the players they replaced, with the likes of Samipeni Finau and Josh Jacomb bringing plenty of energy off the bench. Meanwhile, the back-up front-row of Brodie McAlister, Aidan Ross and Reuben O’Neill and Lord continued with the good work of the players they replaced in the tight phases. 8