1
Lions Tour Aussie takes: Need Skelton for South Africa, lock in Jorgensen
2
Chiefs player ratings vs Blues | Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final
By Adam Julian
The Super Rugby final was a fizzer. The Chiefs failed miserably to scale the heights of their sem-final success stuffed by a patient, powerful and predictable Blues.
ADVERTISEMENT
Here’s how the Chiefs rated.
15. Shaun Stevenson – 4/10
A wayward pass to start on a rough night with limited opportunities. A fumble inside his own 22 in the 26th minute was most uncharacteristic.
14. Emoni Narawa – 5
Sprightly on the few occasions he had the ball.
13. Anton Lienert-Brown – 6
Delivered a quality offload for the Chiefs only try. Made eight tackles and might push for a starting place in the All Blacks with Rieko Ioane going a whole season without a try.
12. Rameka Poihipi – 5
Almost invisible as Chiefs were starved off the ball and the Blues rarely shifted their attack wider than the ten channel. Did make eight tackles. Opposite AJ Lam was a standout figure.
11. Etene Nanai-Seturo – 4
Kicked out on the full when a rare attacking chance arose. A second-half knock-on capped a miserable night.
10. Damian McKenzie – 5
A 50m penalty attempt in the opening minutes was curious. With his pack in retreat all night, he wasn’t able to influence much.
9. Cortez Ratima – 6
Was forced to make 14 tackles as the Blues rarely ventured far from the ruck. Distribution was swift.
8. Wallace Sititi – 8
A storming start with the strongest carries by a Chiefs forward in the match. He made 22 tackles on a night his growing reputation stayed intact.
7. Luke Jacobson – 7
Won some inspirational turnovers and tried hard to rally the troops. Made 16 tackles.
6. Samipeni Finau – 6
In a competitive cohort of loose forwards has Finau done enough to be recalled to the All Blacks? Wasn’t allowed to impose himself on the contest. Made 14 tackles but only had two carries.
5. Tupou Vaa’i – 6
Made 19 tackles but lacked the physical impact of his opposites.
4. Jimmy Tupou – 6
Was kept busy making 20 tackles. Discipline was off on occasion.
3. George Dyer – 6
Held on grimly against a rampant Ofai Tu’ungafasi. Yellow carded in the second half as penalties mounted against the Chiefs. Made 11 tackles.
2. Tyrone Thompson – 7
Missed two lineout throws in the first half but a brave effort from the Hawke’s Bay hooker who hadn’t played more than 24 minutes in a single game this season. Made 16 tackles, won a turnover, and his charge down had the Blues scrambling for once.
1. Aidan Ross – 7
The Chiefs scrum resisted the imperious Blues. Made 15 tackles.
Reserves:
16. Millennium Sanerivi – 5
Came into the game when the result was a foregone conclusion but looks like a bustling player. Made four tackles.
17. Jared Proffit – 6
Stood firm in the scrum and made five tackles.
18. Reuben O’Neil – 6
Resolute in the scrum and made seven tackles.
19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit – 5
Couldn’t add the harder edge the Chiefs needed.
20. Simon Parker – 6
Scored a try and added some punch.
21. Xavier Roe – N/A
22. Quinn Tupaea – N/A
23. Daniel Rona – 5
Bundled over the sideline with his first touch. Was asked to pull a rabbit from a hat by the time he came on.
