Malakai Fekitoa scored an amazing individual try. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images)
53 16 ShareThis
ODT Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire rates the Highlanders after their upset 34-18 win over the Sharks in Durban this morning.
Ben Smith 8/10: Read the Sharks kicking game well and ran the ball back hard and dangerously, kicked well under pressure.
Richard Buckman 7.5/10: Probably his best game of the season, made good runs with ball in hand and applied very good pressure with a strong chasing game.
Malakai Fekitoa 8.5/10: Scored one of the most amazing individual tries you will ever see to really put the nail in the coffin and made a handful of other strong runs. Defended well too and did a good job getting over the ball at ruck time.
Shaun Treeby 8/10: Was outstanding defensively, made nine tackles and applied great pressure to the Sharks which forced a multitude of handling errors at the line. Ran strongly too, gaining good go-forward and putting in an impressive fend on Willem Alberts.
Patrick Osborne 7/10: Had to leave the field early, but not before breaking the game open to initiate the sequence which resulted in the first try.
Lima Sopoaga 8.5/10: Was once again radar accurate when kicking at goal, but also read the Sharks game well and controlled play efficiently both through his kicking and his distribution.
Aaron Smith 7.5/10: Box kicked well to allow the chasers to put the Sharks back three under all sorts of pressure, while also passing well and sniping dangerously when he chose to go.
Nasi Manu 9/10: Had a huge game, was the best of the forward ball carriers, always going forward and making the most carries, while also being the leading tackler and working tirelessly.
Shane Christie 6.5/10: Was the crucial link man to allow play to continue after Osborne's break before the first try, while also making a handful of tackles. Unfortunately had to leave the field late in the first half.
Elliot Dixon 7.5/10: Did a lot of the dirty work and made some good tackles. Won an exceptionally good breakdown penalty, running back from a scrum to be the first to the ruck after a Lwazi Mvovo break. Also did well in the lineout.
Joe Wheeler 6.5/10: One of his quieter games, but was still prominent cleaning out and made a good run in close to provide the go-forward for Aaron Smith to snipe to score the second try.
Jarrad Hoeata 8/10: Was very physical, particularly in the early stages when the game was intense. Worked hard around the field and was a reliable option in the lineout, particularly in the short lineout.
Chris King 7/10: The scrum was a bit inconsistent, but he still worked hard around the field and cleaned up a few loose balls.
Liam Coltman 7.5/10: Threw well into the lineout and was heavily involved in the tight, very strong in contact.
Kane Hames 8/10: Again was inconsistent at scrum time, but was outstanding in his work rate, making a handful of tackles and never far from play in support.
Ged Robinson 7/10: Carried on Coltman's good work, went looking for tackles to make and was generally safe throwing into the lineout.
Craig Millar (No rating): Came on briefly and hurt himself making a tackle, let's hope it is nothing too serious.
Ma'afu Fia 6/10: Solid, supported play and did well enough at scrum time.
Josh Bekhuis 7.5/10: Very good in the lineout and made a couple of tackles.
Gareth Evans 7.5/10: Similar to Bekhuis, came on a grabbed a few good lineouts, both at the front and the back, while also tackling well.
Fumiaki Tanaka (No rating): Closed the game out well, not making any mistakes and providing good service to his ball runners.
Trent Renata 6.5/10: Replaced Osborne and did little wrong. Operated well with the rest of the back three to shut down the Sharks' kicking game and did the basics right.
John Hardie 8.5/10: Reminded us just what a good player he is, looked hungry for work on defence, not only tackling, but also initiating multiple successful counter rucks. Was quick to the breakdown and did a good job ensuring the Sharks were always under pressure.
The odts player ratings...bit sure I always agree with them, thoughts Dixon and hoeata had quiet games
