Hurricanes player ratings vs Waratahs | Super Rugby Pacific

Following a tough loss to the Blues in Round Three, the Hurricanes have returned to winning ways after putting on an attacking clinic against the Waratahs at Sky Stadium.

Halfback Cam Roigard and winger Kini Naholo both crossed for doubles, as the hosts ran away with a 34-17 win in Wellington.

It was a hard-fought contest throughout the first half, as the Canes went into the break with a tense five-point. But after the half-time oranges, the hosts shot out of the blocks in the second half.

The Hurricanes scored three tries to the Waratahs one in the second 40, on their way to a convincing 17-point win. Here’s how the Hurricanes rated.

15. Josh Moorby – 6.5/10

Moorby has been brilliant for the Hurricanes so far this season, but went  missing a little bit against the Tahs. The fullback did pop up from time and time and make some useful carries though.

14. Julian Savea – 6.5

The Hurricanes rated quite well across the park, but it was an off night for Julian Savea. The former All Blacks winger just didn’t get involved as much as he would’ve liked, having only run the ball five times.

Savea had a moment to forget early in the contest as well, having gifted Nemani Nadolo a try after dropping the ball off the kick-off.

13. Billy Proctor – 8.5

Giving Proctor an 8.5 rating is almost underselling how good he was on Friday night. When the Hurricanes needed to send the ball wide – and quickly – Proctor was their man. In the leadup to a number of their highlight plays, Proctor was in the thick of it; truly an unsung hero following another sensational performance.

Proctor made nine tackles and also ran the ball seven times. But it’s his six passes which somewhat define the importance of his outing in the No. 13 jersey.

12. Jordie Barrett – 8.5

This isn’t exactly a hot take anymore, but Jordie Barrett really is the best No. 12 in New Zealand. The Hurricanes wouldn’t be the same team without his playmaking ability, and that includes his clever kicking game as well.

Barrett finished with a nine point haul, in what was a difficult night off the tee in windy Wellington. But, more impressively, had the equal-most runs out of any Hurricanes player with 10 carries, and also made the most tackles out of any back with 11.

11. Kini Naholo – 9

Kini Naholo was absolutely sensational during his debut for the Hurricanes. After a slow start, Naholo looked more than comfortable on the left wing.

With his first touch for the Hurricanes, Naholo returned a Waratahs kick, and looked set to charge into their defensive line. But, as the defenders neared, the rising star decided to kick the ball – and sent his attempt into touch on the full. Ouch.

But from there, Naholo was brilliant. The winger scored two tries, and his second was especially impressive. The winger beat a number of Tahs defenders on his way to the try-line, including a tackle attempt from former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper.

Double on debut 🔥

Welcome to #SuperRugbyPacific, Kini Naholo!#HURvWAR #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/0TqQE7TDjf

— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) March 17, 2023

Overall, the winger had six carries for more than 70 metres, and beat five defenders in the process. Naholo certainly looked comfortable in the No. 11 jumper for the Hurricanes.

10. Brett Cameron – 8

Spoiler alert before you read on about Cam Roigard, but the Hurricanes’ halves are the future of the franchise, if not the All Blacks. Playing his second game in a Canes jumper, Cameron looked cool, calm and collected once again.

In the leadup to Kini Naholo’s first try, Cameron popped up on the right side of the field and made an impressive break deep into the Waratahs 22. Then, a few phases later, the flyhalf played a key role in the rapid ball movement to setup the winger in the left corner.

Generally speaking though, Cameron didn’t overplay his hand on Friday night – but that doesn’t mean he went missing either, far from it in fact. The one-Test All Black kicked quite well in tough conditions, and showed some promising signs for the future with his playmaking.

9. Cam Roigard – 9

Halfback Cameron Roigard stole the show on Friday night with a double, and this obviously went a long way to earning him a 9 rating – but it wasn’t everything. After a strong start to the season, Roigard really came of age against the Waratahs. If the All Blacks are going to have a bolter at this year’s Rugby World Cup, then it should be the Hurricanes scrum-half.

Roigard was accurate, quick and smart with both his passing and running game. The 22-year-old crossed for a well-worked try midway through the first half, having run over Waratahs playmaker Ben Donaldson en route to the line.

Later in the contest, Roigard showed his rugby smarts and leadership in the leadup to his second try. The halfback could be heard yelling at Devan Flanders, asking him to “kick it” – which he of course did. Roigard won the race to the ball, but still had plenty of work to do.

To put it simply, Roigard is Test ready. Ian Foster, were you watching?

1. Xavier Numia – 7

The Hurricanes scrum was dominant at times throughout the opening 40 minutes, and Xavier Numia was a big reason as to why. Numia heled his side win a penalty during the first scrum of the game, and played a key role in another scrum penalty just before half-time.

2. Asafo Aumua – 7

Earlier this week, Hurricanes hooker Asafo Aumua spoke with Martin Devlin on The Platform about the importance of the set-piece. Aumua said it was the area of his game that he wanted to improve the most. Well, the All Black was perfect tonight. Aumua only had a few lineout throws, but managed to hit all of his targets.

In his first start for the Hurricanes this season, Aumua was also dangerous around the field of play. Aumua proved hard to bring done once again on Friday night, having beaten three defenders from his five carries.

3. Tyrel Lomax – 7.5

All Black Tyrel Lomax is in career best form at the moment. After starring for the Canes against the Blues in Round Three, the prop carried his strong form into Friday night’s Trans-Tasman derby.

Lomax was incredibly solid at the scrum, and did his core job to a very high standard. The Hurricanes had the better of their opponents in the scrum throughout the opening 40, and the 27-year-old deserves some praise for that.

4. James Blackwell – 6

Whenever James Blackwell takes the field, one thing you can be sure of is that he’ll work tirelessly for his teammates. While Friday night was more of the same from the second-rower, Blackwell didn’t have the same impact that he usually does.

Blackwell made 10 tackles which was superb – in fact he was among the leaders on the defensive side of the ball for the Hurricanes – but only ran the ball twice.

5. Isaia Walker-Leawere – 8

After a mixed performance last weekend against the Blues, Walker-Leawere was brilliant in Round Four. Not only was he one of the go-to players at the set-piece for the Hurricanes, but he was also busy around the field of play. Walker-Leawere ran the ball 10 times, and made 12 tackles – which was the second best defensive effort out of any Hurricanes player.

But as for his work at the set-piece, Walker-Leawere also stole a Waratahs’ lineout against the throw midway through the second half.

6. Devan Flanders – 8

Flanker Devan Flanders carried the ball with purpose and intent against the Waratahs, and made an impact on the defensive side of the game as well. After some impressive leadup play from the Hurricanes, Flanders was held up over the line midway through the first half.

Flanders was in the thick of the action, and finished the night with two try assists. First, the flanker showed some quick hands to send winger Kini Naholo over for a score. Then, midway through the second half, Flanders kicked the ball ahead for halfback Cam Roigard.

The 23-year-old also put plenty of pressure on the Waratahs throw, and was one of the options at the set-piece for hooker Asafo Aumua.

7. Du’Plessis Kirifi – 7

From the opening minutes of the game, it was obvious that Du’Plessis Kirifi had brought his A-game to Sky Stadium. The flanker showed plenty of intent in defence and around the breakdown – he won a penalty in the 10^th minute after attempting to steal the ball at a ruck.

At half-time, the flanker had made the equal-most tackles out of any Hurricanes player with nine, but only went on to make one more tackle in the game.

8. Ardie Savea (c) – 7.5

Captain Ardie Savea made amends with his performance on Friday after missing the Hurricanes’ Round Three clash with the Blues due to suspension. Similarly to Kirifi, Savea set the tone early with his tireless work rate. Sky Sport commentator Grant Nisbett said it best, saying Savea “never knows when he’s tackled.”

While Savea was quieter in the second half, he still managed to finish the contest with the most tackles out of any Hurricanes player with 13.

Replacements:

16. Dane Coles – 7 – The Super Rugby veteran scored a try off the bench.
17. Pouri Rakete-Stones – 6
18. Pasilio Tosi – 6
19. Dominic Bird – 6
20. Braydon Iose – 5
21. Jamie Booth – 6.5
22. Aidan Morgan -6.5
23. Bailyn Sulivan – 6.5