Blues v Hurricanes player ratings: The All Blacks hopefuls who stood out at Eden Park

How the players rated in the Hurricanes’ 47-24 win over the Blues at Eden Park.

Blues

1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi - 4

Limited to just 39 minutes after leaving for a head injury assessment and not returning to the contest.

2. Bradley Slater - 3

A challenging night at the lineout and a halftime exit due to an HIA. Not his finest outing.

3. Marcel Renata - 5

Worked hard defensively but otherwise had limited impact outside his core roles.

4. Patrick Tuipulotu - 4

Gave away an obstruction penalty early and never really settled into the contest. Replaced after 56 minutes.

5. Sam Darry – 5

A quieter outing than we’ve perhaps grown accustomed to from the promising young lock, though he did pop up late to score a try in the final moments.

6. Malachi Wrampling - 7

Showed he’s a threat as a ball-carrier with some strong runs, breaking the line, fending off defenders and getting his side on the front foot. Carried two tacklers over the line for the team’s first try.

7. Anton Segner - 8

In a game where the Blues needed to do a lot of defending, Segner had another strong outing with a game-high 23 tackles and he forced several turnovers at the breakdown. He was also the side’s top lineout target. He continues to assert himself into the conversation for higher honours.

8. Hoskins Sotutu - 5

Had a few strong carries but his night was also cut short due to an HIA. One of those nights for the Blues.

9. Sam Nock - 6

Had a decent night with some important tackles and a try assist, while showing a bit of his kicking game too.

10. Beauden Barrett – 4

Didn’t spend a lot of time with the ball in his hands but wasn’t able to spark anything for his side when he did.

11. Caleb Clarke – 4

Had a couple of good touches early and late but went largely unsighted through the middle stages. Made a great covering tackle to save a try late in the contest.

12. Xavi Taele - 5

Had plenty of questions asked of him defensively with mixed results, though he did make double-digit tackles, win a turnover and take some strong carries.

13. AJ Lam - 6

Ran a great line to bust through the Hurricanes’ defence and score from about 30m out. The pick of the Blues backline on a tough night.

14. Cole Forbes - 4

Had an even quieter night than Clarke with ball in hand, but was busier defensively.

15. Zarn Sullivan - 4

His impact was limited to what he could do to relieve pressure with his boot as his team were under the pump for much of the contest.

Bench:

16. Kurt Eklund - 6

Made an immediate impact with a strong counter-ruck, had a decent night with his throwing and bagged himself a try.

17. Mason Tupaea - 6

Got stuck into his work after replacing Tu’ungafasi late in the first half.

18. Flyn Yates - 4

Had few opportunities to make his presence felt.

19. Laghlan McWhannell - 5

Limited to a couple of carries but made his tackles.

20. Torian Barnes - 7

Provided some much-needed punch off the bench, busting through tackles and getting his side some front-foot ball.

21. Che Clark - 5

Replaced Sotutu early in the second half and was busy with ball in hand, but was well contained.

22. Finlay Christie - 5

Brought on for the final 20 minutes as the game was opening up and was busy at the ruck as his side finally kicked into gear.

23. Stephen Perofeta - 4

He was quick to get involved in the attack once brought into the contest, but his goalkicking was off the mark as he missed two of three conversion attempts.

Hurricanes

1. Xavier Numia - 7

Had some lovely deft touches in the attack, provided plenty of go-forward with his carries and performed his core roles well.

2. Asafo Aumua - 7

A lesson in power running, Aumua was a force with ball in hand. He was reliable at the lineout and made plenty of tackles in an all-around strong performance. Perhaps a performance that indicates he’s back to his best and pushing for a return to test level?

3. Pasilio Tosi - 7

Set piece functioned nicely and he had a beautiful hit and spin at the line to score in the first half. Had some nice touches and made his tackles.

4. Caleb Delany - 6

Got up to challenge the Blues’ lineout and picked one off. Provided a safe pair of hands from his own team’s throw.

5. Warner Dearns - 8

Proving to be one of the recruits of the season, he was the team’s main lineout target and was a reliable one at that. Charged a Beauden Barrett kick and collected the loose ball for the game’s first try.

6. Brad Shields – 6

Carried well, showed a bit of offloading ability and put his shoulders to work on defence.

7. Peter Lakai - 7

Had double-digit carries and tackles, got stuck in at the breakdown to secure a turnover and sealed the bonus point with a late try. Like Segner, he has continued press his case for more time in the international set-up.

8. Devan Flanders - 5

Had limited punch with the No 8 on his back but beat a few defenders when he did get a chance to run.

9. Ereatara Enari - 8

Big shoes to fill replacing Cam Roigard, but he made his mark with some shifty ball-playing and three try assists. But he was also consistently in support which allowed him to clean up loose passes at times.

10. Ruben Love - 6

Showed some smarts with a few territorial kicks and was on point from the tee, aside from an early penalty attempt. Made some searching runs and looked to get his team moving in the right direction, though was not always accurate.

11. Kini Naholo – 5

Was guilty of turning it over a few times but had some quality carries and finished off a lovely try.

12. Jordie Barrett - 7

Rolled up his sleeves and put in the multi-faceted performance we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from him.

13. Billy Proctor - 7

A mixed night defensively but he worked hard and got a couple of turnovers at the breakdown. His best work was done with ball in hand.

14. Fehi Fineanganofo - 8

Looked a threat every time he got the ball, challenging the defensive line with footwork and strength. Tied the Super Rugby Pacific try-scoring record – and was perhaps lucky to get away with a pass that looked forward in the build-up. Another good outing from the competition’s breakout star.

15. Callum Harkin – 6

Injected himself into the attack to good effect. Provided another kicking option, hoisting the ball high into the night sky. He’s another in the side who continues to have a quality campaign.

Bench

16. Raymond Tuputupu - 5

Hit the mark at the lineout and scored a try just moments after taking to the field.

17. Pouri Rakete-Stones – 5

Picked up where Numia left off with some good carries late in the contest.

18. Siale Lauaki – 6

Had some quality defensive involvements after entering the contest in the second half.

19. Isaia Walker-Leawere – 4

Limited impact in the final quarter.

20. Brayden Iose – 6

Joined the action with about 20 minutes to play and had some nice involvements; pinching a lineout, making tackles and assisting on a try.

21. Jordi Viljoen – 5

Played about 10 minutes off the bench and had a couple of good runs.

22. Jone Rova – 3

Inserted with about 19 minutes to play. Was shown a yellow card in the final minutes for a cynical infringement.

23. Bailyn Sullivan – 4

Came into the contest late and had limited opportunities.

Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.