Highlanders player ratings: All Black’s brilliance comes ‘too late’ after pack overwhelmed by physical Blues
Timoci Tavatavanawai and Adam Lennox in action for the Highlanders against the Blues.
Following a 47-40 defeat to the Blues in the Super Rugby Pacific clash at Eden Park on Friday, here are the player ratings for the Highlanders.
15 Taine Robinson: Struggled to impact the game and went off early in the second period. Can play fly-half but there was some poor kicking from the back. 4
14 Caleb Tangitau: Such a shame his day only lasted just over half-an-hour following a nasty head shot from Zarn Sullivan. Had just created a try with a magnificent break before he was taken off. 6
13 Tanielu Tele’a: One of the Highlanders‘ better starters with the powerful centre always a threat with ball in hand. Touched down twice and really came into his own later on as the visitors threatened a remarkable comeback. 8
12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc): One breakdown steal highlighted his brilliance over the ball but Tavatavanawai was not as influential ball-in-hand as they would have liked early on. However, played a full part in their response in the final quarter with some barnstorming runs. It just came a bit too late. 8
11 Jona Nareki: A talent who rarely lets the team down but it was not his best day on Friday as Nareki failed to make much of an impression against the Blues. 5
10 Cam Millar: Struggled with Robinson as his playmaking partner but thrived when Finn Hurley came onto the field. Millar was being outplayed by Beauden Barrett but then helped the Highlanders to throw a few shots in the last 25 minutes. 6
Shining light
9 Adam Lennox: The sole reason the Highlanders were still in the game thanks to his two individual tries. Lennox’s box-kicking needs a lot of work but you cannot deny his influence on this game thanks to his threat around the fringes. 8
8 Nikora Broughton: An outstanding shift and was the game’s top tackler with 18 but that ‘Landers back-row was completely outplayed by the Blues loose trio. Broughton and co. were outmuscled for most of the match. 5
7 Veveni Lasaqua: Usually a ubiquitous presence but was swamped by the opposition loose forwards with his best work coming in defence, but even then he was often sent into reverse. 5
6 Sean Withy: When you compare the units the Blues had in their back-row, the visitors simply lacked a bit of size and it showed. Withy toiled but without much success and was replaced early in the second period. 5
5 Mitch Dunshea: Like his team-mates, you couldn’t fault his work ethic but the lineout struggled throughout the 80 minutes – they didn’t lose loads but it certainly wasn’t clean ball – and there were some soft moments close to the ruck. 5
4 Te Kamaka Howden: Just lacking in some of the fundamentals. Won a few lineouts but it was not a solid platform and his missed tackle for Anton Segner’s second try was a shocker. 4
One of the few positives
3 Angus Ta’avao: The All Blacks prop was also involved in that defensive error for the Segner score, but he did make up for it somewhat with his performance in the scrum. Alongside Lennox, it was the Highlanders’ only positive area for 60 minutes. 6
2 Jack Taylor: Struggled in the lineout but did work hard around the field, even if they were physically dominated. 5
1 Ethan de Groot (cc): The odd error but probably his side’s best starting forward. Dominated in the scrum and got through a heap of work in the loose, lasting over an hour before being replaced. 7
Replacements: Not a hugely experienced or proven bench, but they showed their talent late on. Lucas Casey was magnificent in the loose – despite butchering one try – while Hurley, in his first game of 2026, and Xavier Tito-Harris, on debut, were excellent. Folau Fakatava also added tempo as they came so close to rescuing a draw. 9