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Chiefs player ratings vs Hurricanes | Super Rugby Pacific
By Ned Lester
This match promised to be a ripper, two in-form sides battling it out for the top of the table on a sunny Wellington afternoon.
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It was a back-and-forth battle early, the Chiefs struck first with some spectacular counter-attacking before the Hurricanes responded with some X-factor of their own.
Some uncharacteristic ill-discipline and poor execution started to leak into the Chiefs’ game as the first half progressed, something rarely seen from the Waikato side before their bye week. Halftime score 17-8.
The Chiefs tidied up their game in the second 40, executing better defensively and taking their opportunities to add points. The Hurricanes couldn’t execute in the latter stages and will rue their scoreless second half as the Chiefs landed 25 points in the same period. Fulltime score: 33-17.
Here’s how the Chiefs rated:
1. Aidan Ross – 7/10
The Chiefs own the second most dominant scrum in the competition and Ross was sure to see that record continue. The scrum was solid as a rock throughout the match, providing clean ball for both sides. Ross contributed more than a handful of tackles and hit a couple of balls at pace when Brad Weber called his number.
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 9
Taukei’aho’s injections in the match were destructive and accurate. one of the few players in World Rugby who can wrap up Ardie Savea on a leg drive and drive him backwards. His post-contact metres were huge and he won every contact he was involved in.
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3. George Dyer – 6
Dyer was quiet outside of his strong scrummaging, he kept the foundation solid opposite up and comer Xavier Numia.
4. Brodie Retallick – 8.5
A few shaky moments at lineout time didn’t amount to much as the Chiefs ultimately claimed all of their throw-ins. Retallick was penalised a couple of times, which in most games wouldn’t be worth mentioning but the Chiefs needed their leaders like Retallick to be setting a clean example, especially early in this one.
In all other facets of the game, Retallick was his usual sublime self. His work ethic was immense, hitting a huge number of breakdowns, making his presence felt in the tackle and the carry, logging double digits in both.
5. Tupou Vaa’i – 6.5
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Vaa’i was one of the Chiefs who looked just a step behind coming off the bye week and his ill-discipline cost his side early. He found his feet as the game wore on and made his presence known in the contact while providing safe hands in the lineout.
6. Pita Gus Sowakula – 8
Ran a great support line and dragged three Hurricanes players over the line to open the scoring in the second half, a play that proved to be the beginning of the Chiefs’ big comeback. Sowakula got more opportunities to stretch his legs ranging out wide in the second 40. His fitness was more than up to the challenge tonight and his work hitting breakdowns after Chiefs linebreaks was crucial to the team’s win.
7. Sam Cane – 8
Cane offered his typically high work rate on defence but fell off a few hard runs early. Lining up opposite the energetic and in-form Duplessis Kirifi offered another great challenge for the All Black captain, and while Kirifi had a blinder, Cane’s work around the park was immense and he can claim the bragging rights in that matchup.
Cane finished the match with the highest tackle count (16) of his side and was key to providing the Chiefs’ dangerous backs with the platform needed to attack.
8. Luke Jacobson – 8.5
Led the Chiefs in tackles in the opening 40 but was also penalised a number of times in that period, contributing to the Hurricanes’ momentum and territory advantage. He tidied up his act in the second 40 and continued his strong work around the park.
Outside of the early ill-discipline, Jacobson thrived in every facet of the game; offering his physicality to tackles and breakdowns all over the park regardless of how high-tempo the match got.
9. Brad Weber – 7
An all-around solid performance from Weber, his deliveries were snappy and accurate and his support game served his team well when play broke down.
10. Damian McKenzie – 9
Started the match with a number of dangerous runs, not only finding gaps in the Hurricanes’ defence but finding support with some offloads. There were various times in the match when the Chiefs struggled to find their rhythm but every time McKenzie injected himself, they found their feet.
11. Etene Nanai-Seturo – 8
This back three continue to be unbelievably dangerous, turning any sniff of space into a scoring opportunity and today was no different. Nanai-Seturo was involved in multiple deep runs across the park, fearlessly challenging any Hurricanes player in the contact. His chemistry with Damian McKenzie was again highlighted when he called for a chip kick, while the play didn’t amount in points, it gave the Hurricanes’ defence another reason to hesitate when charging at the Chiefs’ attack.
12. Rameka Poihipi – 7
A couple of strong hit-ups saw Poihipi claim some post-contact metres while he excelled in distributing the ball to the threats outside him. A defensively sound performance against an All Black midfield partnership and some other big bodies running through his channel.
13. Daniel Rona – 7.5
Some fine work around the park, supporting his outsides in their linebreaks and claiming the opening try as reward. Quiet defensively.
14. Emoni Narawa – 7.5
Showed creativity and remarkable skills with a grubber that set up Rona for the Chiefs’ first try. Won a turnover and had some other subtle influences on the match which kept his side moving forward.
15. Shaun Stevenson – 8.5
A thumping clearance to start the game but handed the Hurricanes the ball shortly after with a badly executed kick, and again with a poor pass. His running game then got a chance to shine and the Chiefs inevitably got close to scoring as a result.
Overall Stevenson continued his magic form, finishing the match amongst leaders on run metres, defenders beaten and clean breaks. Wasn’t tested at all defensively.
Reserves:
16. Bradley Slater – 7
17. Ollie Norris – 7
18. John Ryan – 6
19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi – 7
20. Samipeni Finau – 8
21. Cortez Ratima – 8.5
Exceptional impact off the bench, scoring an opportunistic and physical try.
22. Bryn Gatland – 5
23. Peniasi Malimali – 5
DMac turned over possession far too often (I counted 5 live, can easily have missed some) to get a 9. Unfortunately this is not a one-off - he does this in every game.