Highlanders player ratings: ‘Upsetting’ scenes as All Blacks hopeful’s Test dreams potentially ‘wrecked’
All Blacks hopefuls Caleb Tangitau and Timoci Tavatavanawai in action for the Highlanders.
Following a 42-12 defeat to the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Pacific clash at FMG Stadium Waikato on Friday, here are the player ratings for the Highlanders.
15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens: One of the better backs for the visitors as Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens did all he could to get his side back into the game. Finished well in the second period and was a constant threat after the break. 7
Sad sight
14 Caleb Tangitau: We sincerely hope his injury is not too bad. It was upsetting to see Tangitau on the stretcher after seemingly picking up a knee injury late on in the contest. Before that he looked threatening without truly breaking free, but the big concern will be the severity of the issue he suffered, which could wreck his All Blacks dream for this season. 6
13 Taniela Tele’a: Had his moments with the centre looking abrasive in contact, but they were few and far between as the Chiefs defence handled the Highlanders attack relatively comfortably for the most part. 6
12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc): Not a great time to have one of his worst games of the season with All Blacks selection looming. Tavatavanawai didn’t lack for effort, making 21 carries, but that only yielded 34 metres which showed how well the hosts did to shackle him. There were also a few errors in what was a forgettable day for the co-captain. 5
11 Jonah Lowe: Generally looked threatening for the most part, running for almost 70 metres, as they created enough opportunities out wide. Lowe was powerful in contact and did what he could to get the Highlanders on the front foot. 7
10 Cameron Millar: The kicking game was the big difference between the teams and it was no surprise to see Millar go off at the break. Also played slightly too deep at times and ultimately struggled to get the backline moving. 4
9 Adam Lennox: Has great ability around the fringes and his delivery from the base is fine, but the option-taking from the half-backs were not the best. The Chiefs’ playmakers simply had more nous, although it would be hard to say that Lennox was an issue when he contributed plenty during his time on the field. 6
8 Nikora Broughton: Played the first 10 minutes before going off due to injury. N/A.
Best player on the field
7 Lucas Casey: Absolutely magnificent and was probably the best player on the park. The Highlanders may have been smacked by 30 but it would have been much higher had it not been for Casey, who was the top tackler, carrier and made the most metres – with over 100 – in the game. A breakthrough performance from the back-rower, who will be in Dave Rennie’s thoughts after this. 9
6 Sean Withy: Put himself about on both sides of the ball in what was a fine shift, but couldn’t quite match the Chiefs loose trio physically. 6
5 Mitch Dunshea: Went the distance but the lineout was mixed. Couldn’t fault his effort but the locks were outplayed by the Chiefs duo. 5
4 Tomas Lavanini: It has been common sight over the years seeing the Argentinian leaving the field after an indiscretion and that happened again with yet another stupid yellow card for a pull off the ball on Wallace Sititi. Was hooked minutes in the second period. 4
3 Angus Ta’avao: Solid scrummaging performance while he made plenty of tackles during his stint on the field. Ta’avao did his job but no more. 5
2 Jack Taylor: Was prominent in the first half, making a number of decent carries into the heart of the Chiefs defence, while the lineout was effective enough while he was on the field. Was taken off in the second period and they missed him in truth. 6
1 Ethan de Groot (cc): The class of the front five in many ways, perhaps unsurprisingly, but a few errors impacted his score. One dumb penalty particularly stood out while there was the odd handling issue. Dominated the scrum and was busy in the loose, but execution was ultimately lacking. 6
Replacements: Veveni Lasaqa was a real presence after coming on for Broughton but he was the only one that stood out. The rest were below par with the half-backs, Folau Fakatava and Taine Robinson, particularly dreadful. Robinson was far too deep on phase play and that hampered them severely in attack. 3
READ MORE: Chiefs v Highlanders: Result, match details, stats, line-ups