Highlanders Player Ratings vs Force | Super Rugby Pacific

The Highlanders have been beaten by the Western Force 30-17 in a thrilling trans-Tasman derby in Perth.

After going behind early, it was clear the Highlanders were in for a tough night. While they managed to tie the match in the 57^th minute, that’s as good as it good for the visitors.

Things just didn’t quite go to plan as they went down swinging against a valiant Western Force outfit. Here’s how the Highlanders rated.

15. Sam Gilbert – 7.5

In a losing side, fullback Sam Gilbert certainly held his own in the No. 15 jersey. As he has done all season, Gilbert showed glimpse of brilliance throughout the 80 minutes – at times the fullback was a shining light for a team who otherwise struggled to develop any momentum. Whether it was with the kicking tee or in attack, Gilbert was able to make an impact.

In the end, the 24-year-old finished with seven-points to his name, 97 running metres from 11 carries, and he also beat four defenders. Definitely one of the Highlanders’ best tonight.

14. Connor Garden-Bachop – 7.5

Another shining light for the Highlanders, winger Connor Garden-Bachop helped inspire the team when they needed they needed a hero. Early in the second half, the winger came close agonsingly close to scoring – but was tackled into touch by Force fullback Chase Tiatia. But then, only a couple of minutes later, Garden-Bachop crossed for the visitors’ first try of the contest in the 44^th minute.

By the end of the match Garden-Bachop had run the ball for almost 60 metres from six carries, beaten three defenders, and made two line breaks. The winger also got busy on the defensive side of the ball, having made seven tackles.

13. Fetuli Paea – 6

Centre Fetuli Paea struggled to make his mark during a tough night against the Western Force. The midfielder only ran the ball four times – all in the second half – but made 85 per cent of his tackles from seven attempts.

12. Thomas Umaga-Jensen – 6.5

Much like his teammate Fetuli Paea, No. 12 Thomas Umaga-Jensen was kept quiet in round nine. The midfielder didn’t really make any highlight plays with the ball, as he was kept to just seven running metres from five carries. In defence, Umaga-Jensen missed 36 per cent of his tackle attempts.

11. Jonah Lowe – 7

Winger Jonah Lowe helped the Highlanders get back into the contest early in the second half. When they were down by a fair amount, the winger sent a beautiful cut-out pass to teammate Connor Garden-Bachop, as the other Highlanders winger crossed for the teams first try of the night.

While that was certainly a highlight, Lowe’s impact goes well beyond just one outstanding play. The winger ran the ball nine times and beat two defenders, and also got stuck in on the defensive side of the ball.

10. Mitch Hunt – 4

Playmaker Mitch Hunt struggled to make anything happen in attack for the Highlanders. While the second half was certainly better than the first, the flyhalf failed to stand out. The flyhalf had no try assists to his name, and actually only completed two passes on the night.

9. James Arscott – 6.5

With no Aaron Smith or Folau Fakatava this week, the Highlanders turned to James Arscott to wear the No. 9 jersey for the Highlanders. At times, Arscott looked composed and calm – it wasn’t a bad performance, although he didn’t exactly standout either. While it’s not his core job, Arscott deserves some praise for his effort on defence, having finished with 100 per cent tackle accuracy from 10 attempts.

1. Ethan de Groot – 6.5

It was a game of two halves for the Highlanders, and that has to reflect in the rating of All Blacks prop Ethan de Groot. The Highlanders lost the set-piece battle during the opening 40 – giving away a free kick with the first scrum of the match. While they were able to win a scrum penalty in the 10^th minute, the Force still managed to control this area of the contest.

De Groot was yellow carded in the 22^nd minute, but worked tirelessly to make amends once he returned to the park. With 10 tackles and five runs to his name, you can’t fault his effort during a tough night in Western Australia.

2. Andrew Makalio – 6.5

While the Highlanders appeared to struggle during a tough first half in Perth, Makalio ultimately did his core job quite well. The hooker hit a majority of his targets at the lineout, although one of his throws was picked off by a Force player.

Makalio also crossed for a try midway through the second half, and impressed on the defensive side of the ball with 12 tackles.

3. Jermaine Ainsley

Much like teammate Ethan de Groot, the Highlanders’ scrum has to be discussed when considering Jermaine Ainsley’s rating. While the Force took control of this area, Ainsley still put in a solid shift around the ground. The prop ran the ball three times and made six tackles before he was replaced in the 62^nd minute.

4. Pari Pari Parkinson – 4

It an uncharacteristically quiet night from Highlanders lock Pari Pari Parkinson. The Maori All Blacks representative was yellow carded midway through the first half, and was later replaced in the 56^th minute. Parkinson only ran the ball once and made three tackles.

5. Will Tucker – 7

Lock Will Tucker put in an 80 minute shift against the Force, and he certainly does some praise for that effort. Having made his mark at the lineout, Tucker also got busy in defence with 11 tackles and ran the ball six times for as many metres.

6. Shannon Frizell – 7

All Black and Highlanders flanker Shannon Frizell was excellent around the breakdown. Frizell was first over the ball and won a penalty in the 27^th minute with the Force about five metres out from the try line – when the Highlanders needed a hero, Frizell answered the call.

But it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Frizell dropped the ball cold in the 51^st minute after fighting his way into the in-goal. Still, it doesn’t quite take away from what was a decent performance, although not his best.

7. Billy Harmon (c) – 7.5

Captain Billy Harmon was a work horse on the defensive side of the ball. The flanker finished with a game-high 16 tackles to his name, which was three more than the next best Highlanders player. In attack, Harmon also led by example with a hard-earned 16 running metres from nine carries.

8. Marino Mikaele Tu’u – 7

No. 8 Marino Mikaele Tu’u put in a solid shift on Saturday night. The backrower was yellow carded, but made amends with his work rate around the park. Mikaele-Tu’u finished with 34 running metres to his name, and also made 11 tackles from as many attempts.

After making an impressive line break in the 54^th minute, the loose forward was held up in-goal as he attempted to ground the ball.

Replacements:

16. Leni Apisai – 7
17. Daniel Lienert-Brown – 6.5
18. Saula Ma’u – 6
19. Fabian Holland -7.5 – 13 tackles off the bench.
20. Sean Withy - 6
21. Nathan Hastie – 5.5
22. Freddie Burns – 6.5
23. Josh Timu – N/A