Chiefs player ratings vs Waratahs | Super Rugby Pacific

The ladder-leading Chiefs have continued their unbeaten start to the season with a hard-fought 24-14 win over the Waratahs at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.

After the Brumbies’ loss to the Crusaders earlier on Friday, the Chiefs are now the only unbeaten side left in Super Rugby Pacific this season.

Fullback Damian McKenzie led the team out in Round Five as he brought up his 100^th appearance in Chiefs colours.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the visitors, as they went toe-to-toe with a valiant Waratahs outfit for about 75 minutes. Here’s how the Chiefs rated.

15. Damian McKenzie – 5.5

Milestone man Damian McKenzie failed to make an impact around the park against the Tahs. The utility back, who moved back into the starting XV this week, was held to just four running metres.

But McKenzie did kick the ball quite well, both out of his hand and off the tee. The fullback ended up scoring nine of the Chiefs’ points.

14. Emoni Narawa – 8.5

After stealing the show against the Rebels in Hamilton, winger Emoni Narawa has backed up that performance with another strong display against the Tahs. Narawa struggled to make an impact during the opening quarter of the contest, but changed things quite quickly around the 20 minute mark.

The winger had a few tough carries during the first half – nothing flashy, these were tough carries up the middle of the field. Narawa was hungry to get involved and was eventually rewarded for his hard work.

Narawa finished with two tries to his name, as well as almost 100 running metres from 13 carries. The winger also beat a staggering sevens defenders on the night. Simply sensational.

13. Alex Nankivell – 7

Nothing was going to plan for Alex Nankivell during the opening quarter of this clash. The star centre struggled to get involved with one run and one tackle to his name, before dropping the ball cold in the 22^nd minute.

But things did take a turn for the outside centre. When the Chiefs needed someone to step up, Nankivell answered the call. The 26-year-old set-up winger Emoni Narawa for a try with a clever inside ball.

12. Rameka Poihipi – 7

Midfielder Rameka Poihipi had a solid performance on Friday night without really standing out. Poihipi wasn’t the human highlight reel that he’s been in weeks gone by, but that’s not to say he was bad either. Poihipi made five tackles, and also ran the ball eight times. The No. 12 did what he needed to against the Tahs.

11. Etene Nanai-Seturo – 7

It was a game of two halves from All Blacks Sevens star Etene Nanai-Seturo. While the Chiefs struggled to score during the opening 40, the winger was in the thick of the action. Midway through the first half, Nanai-Seturo had already run for more than 40 metres.

But his second half was less eventful. Nanai-Seturo finished with 49 running meters to his name in total, but he did beat two defenders.

10. Bryn Gatland – 7

The game couldn’t have started any better for Chiefs flyhalf Bryn Gatland. Gatland was handed the playmaking reins again this week, and took full advantage early in the contest. The pivot crossed for the Chiefs’ first points of the night in the fourth minute after seeing a gap, and backing himself to get to the try-line – and he did just that.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Chiefs No. 10. As he steered the Chiefs vessel through bumpy waters in Sydney, there were definitely some forgetful moments for Gatland.

Midway through the first half, Gatland threw an intercept, with Waratahs captain Jake Gordon making the most of his opportunity to poach a try against the run of play. The flyhalf was picked off by Gordon, who ran about 40-metres to the house for a score.

Jake Gordon loves an intercept against @ChiefsRugby ⚡️#WARvCHI #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/Yuc01oh4mt

— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) March 24, 2023

Other than that, Gatland was solid at flyhalf again this week. The 27-year-old kicked quite well, and led the team into some promising attacking positions throughout the first half.

9. Brad Weber – 7.5

The Chiefs struggled to make the most of their opportunities during the first half, but Weber was one of the players putting the visitors in those positions to begin with. Weber didn’t skip a beat upon his return to the starting team this week as he led the team around the park with poise and skill.

Weber’s passing game was quick and accurate, and his kicking game was solid – well, for the most part. The scrumhalf sent a box kick into touch on the full early in the second half. But generally speaking, Weber lead by example in the No. 9 jersey.

1. Aidan Ross – 5.5

One-Test All Black Aidan Ross, who was born in Sydney, put in a solid shift against the Tahs. For the most part, the 27-year-old scrummed quite well – although he was penalised during the first-half.

Ross struggled to make an impact in other areas around the park, as he only ran the ball four times and made two tackles. Following a frustrating first half for the Chiefs, the prop was subbed off early in the second term.

2. Brad Slater – 7

Hooker Brad Slater did the Chiefs jersey justice on Friday night, as he was handed his first start of the season. Slater had plenty of throws into the lineout, and hit a majority of his targets throughout a tense first half. For the most part, the 24-year-old made the most of his opportunity to don the No. 2 jersey against the Waratahs.

3. John Ryan – 5.5

Any prop that plays more than an hour of a rugby game deserves some praise. Former Ireland prop John Ryan put in a big shift on Friday night, having played 62 minutes of the thrilling contest.

But Ryan failed to have the impact on the match that he would’ve wanted. While he scrummed well, Ryan only ran the ball twice and made two tackles.

4. Brodie Retallick – 8.5

If I was to define the term ‘work horse’, I’d start by writing Brodie Retallick’s name. The All Black was everywhere against the Waratahs. Whenever the Chiefs had the ball inside the Waratahs 22’, Retallick’s number was called time and time again.

The All Black was a machine – working tirelessly in the pursuit of victory for his side. Unsurprisingly, Retallick had the most carries out of any player at half-time with nine.

But it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Retallick started the second half with an uncharacteristic error as he dropped the ball inside the Waratahs’ 22. But the star lock made amends through the second half with his performance.

5. Manaaki Selby-Rickit – 6.5

Maori All Blacks lock Manaaki Selby-Rickit was kept relatively quiet against the Tahs. The second-rower replaced Tupou Vaa’i in the starting XV this week, but struggled to make an impact during a frustrating opening 40 for the Chiefs.

But you can’t fault his work rate and intent. Selby-Rickit had some purposeful carries and defended quite well – it just didn’t go the Chiefs’ way during the first half. The 26-year-old was subbed off early in the second term.

6. Samipeni Finau – 7.5

While Emoni Narawa and Brodie Retallick stole the show on Friday night, there was one unsung hero who deserves some recognition. Flanker Samipeni Finau was incredibly impressive, especially late in the first half.

Finau worked tirelessly for his team. It didn’t matter whether he was running the ball or supporting a teammate, Finau was always in the thick of the action for the Chiefs. The flanker ran for more than 30 metres, and beat two defenders on the night as well.

7. Sam Cane – 7

Same Cane versus Michael Hooper at openside flanker was undoubtedly the matchup of the night, but the Australian had the edge in Round Five. As much as he tried, Cane was kept quiet during the opening 40 minutes in Sydney.

While the All Black was better in the second half, it was still an underwhelming return to Super Rugby Pacific for the co-captain.

8. Pita Gus Sowakula – 7.5

All Black Pita Gus Sowakula was on a mission against the Tahs. The backrower ran rampant with the ball in hand, and also made some effective stops on the defensive side of the ball. Sowakula had 10 carries for 17 metres, and also finished with 100 per cent tackle accuracy.

Replacements:

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 7
17. Ollie Norris – 6.5
18. George Dyer – 5
19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi – 6
20. Kaylum Boshier – 7 – Boshier had 10 tackles off the bench – now that’s impressive!
21. Cortez Ratima – 6.5
22. Daniel Rona – 5
23. Shaun Stevenson – 6.5 – The in-form Shaun Stevenson didn’t score this week, but did have a try assist.