Aotearoa Team of Round 1: Have the Crusaders unearthed another All Blacks midfielder?
In the opening round of Super Rugby Aotearoa for 2021, last year’s two most impressive teams flexed their muscles while some potential long-term superstars also made a statement.
Friday’s clash saw the Highlanders host the Crusaders in Dunedin and while the hosts were able to keep the contest tight in the first half, the visitors pulled away late in the piece to secure a 26-13 victory.
On Saturday, Ardie Savea’s 100th match for the Hurricanes was the only cause for celebration in Wellington as the Blues managed 31-16 win after capitalising on the home side’s errors.
Despite the losses, plenty of Highlanders and Hurricanes players put their hands up for selection in RugbyPass’ first team of the week for Super Rugby Aotearoa 2021 while the Crusaders dominate the side.
15. Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes)
Jackson Garden-Bachop may be wearing the No 10 jersey for the Hurricanes but the key lynchpin in the backline is certainly Jordie Barrett. Things happen when the fullback gets his hands on the ball and it was his ability to blast kicks over from a distance that kept the Hurricanes in the hunt. His 53-metre penalty shortly before half-time was about as good as they come.
Key stat: 9 ball carries – third amongst backs
14. Sevu Reece (Crusaders)
In-goal antics aside (though that’s always going to be a product of introducing goal-line drop-outs), there was little to criticise about Sevu Reece’s performance against the Highlanders. Rarely was a first-up solo tackler able to bring the All Black to the ground and Reece kept his opposition on their toes throughout the match. His in-field kick to Bryn Hall was a thing of beauty.
Key stat: 89 metres run – third amongst all players
13. Rieko Ioane (Blues)
It wasn’t until the second half that Rieko Ioane really started to make an impact on attack against the Hurricanes, but the former wing was safe as houses on defence throughout the game and was able to cut loose as the match progressed. 91 metres run and four beaten defenders make for solid viewing – but it’s the fact that Ngani Laumape and Billy Proctor were so well-contained that has helped earn Ioane a spot in the team this week.
Key stat: 8 tackles made – second amongst backs
After an important win on Saturday night, the news that followed was somewhat sobering. #HURvBLU #SuperRugbyAotearoahttps://t.co/RfdAF7mTQG
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 27, 2021
12. Dallas McLeod (Crusaders)
The Crusaders always have a few token injuries before the season kicks off, but they always finds replacements who, more often than not, look like they’d walk into almost any other side’s starting team before the season comes to an end. Dallas McLeod, in just his third match for the Crusaders, was a rock in the midfield and stood up well to the physicality of Ngatungane Punivai and Patelesio Tomkinson – whether it was on attack or defence. Keep an eye on this 21-year-old.
Key stat: 30 metres run – second amongst midfielders
11. Jona Nareki (Highlanders)
Jona Nareki sometimes has flashes of brilliance followed by moments of complete despair. He was all brilliance on Friday evening, however, threatening the line with every touch of the ball and eventually setting up the Highlanders’ second try of the evening. His reliable boot also got the Highlanders out of trouble on a handful of occasions and would be a huge asset for any outside back.
Key stat: 5 defenders beaten – first amongst backs
10. Otere Black (Blues)
With Beauden Barrett in Japan, Otere Black has again stepped into the No 10 role and handled the pressure with aplomb. His field kicking was pin-point while he nailed all five of his attempts on goal. Importantly, Black also regularly challenged the line – which created space for his backline on attack and forced the Hurricanes defenders to commit.
Key stat: 10 runs – first amongst first fives
9. Bryn Hall (Crusaders)
Few players emerge from a head-to-head with All Black Aaron Smith knowing they’ve outplayed their opposite, but that’s exactly what happened on Friday night. While Hall’s passing wasn’t at Smith’s level, his general support play and kicking game were exceptional. He also knew exactly when to send the ball out to the backs and when to let his forwards take control.
Key stat: 32 passes – second amongst starting halfbacks
8. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u (Highlanders)
The man who was unlucky not to earn an All Blacks cap last year was a threat across the park on Friday, especially when he popped up in the outer channels. His work-rate on attack was also exceptional, notching up the most carries of any player for the period that he was on the park.
Key stat: 59 metres run – second amongst forwards
Was this a coming of age performance from the former age-grade star? ? #HURvBLU #SuperRugbyAotearoahttps://t.co/AJ2jDnx0PE
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 28, 2021
7. Ardie Savea (Hurricanes)
While Ardie Savea wasn’t able to captain his side to victory in his 100th Super Rugby match, he was a massive presence on the field and was arguably the top-performing forward from the weekend. Was there a breakdown that Savea didn’t contest or a contest that he didn’t disrupt?
Key stat: 10 carries – first amongst forwards
6. Akira Ioane (Blues)
This time last year, Akira Ioane wasn’t even a starting player for the Blues. Now, he’s perhaps the most formidable blindside flanker in the country. Ioane was devasting on attack on Saturday but was also reliable – and physical – on defence, making the most tackles of anyone on his team. No one should be questioning Ioane’s work-rate anymore.
Key stat: 65 metres run – first amongst forwards
5. Sam Whitelock (Crusaders)
As one of the oldest players running about in Super Rugby Aotearoa, Sam Whitelock could be forgiven for not having the biggest engine anymore – but Whitelock has seemingly defied Father Time and looked as sprightly against the Highlanders on Friday as he did in his debut season, way back in 2010. Whitelock was instrumental in the final stages of the game and while he wasn’t the captain on the day, you can guarantee that he was a vocal leader as the Crusaders closed out the match.
Key stat: 13 tackles – second amongst all players
4. Josh Dickson (Highlanders)
Somewhat unheralded by those outside the Highlanders region, Josh Dickson is a key cog in the Highlanders pack. The 26-year-old was the primary option for the Highlanders at lineout time and impressed with his overall work rate.
Key stat: 21 metres carried – first amongst locks
3. Michael Alaalatoa (Crusaders)
If there was one area where the Crusaders obviously had the wood over their counterparts it was in the scrums, with Michael Alaalatoa earning a handful of penalties for his side as well as always helping to supply his team with solid front-foot ball. On defence, Alaalatoa also helped keep the Highlanders honest, making 10 tackles for the Crusaders.
Key stat: 10 tackles – first amongst props
2. Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes)
Two tries is a handy return for Asafo Aumua – but it’s not like he was simply dropping over the line from a lineout maul or burrowing over from close range. Perhaps more importantly, Aumua nailed his lineout throws and ensured the Hurricanes had plenty of attacking opportunities. What a performance.
Key stat: 6 defenders beaten – first amongst all players
1. Joe Moody (Crusaders)
The rock. Solid in every aspect of his play but it was his dash for the line in the first half that would have received the most plaudits – had he actually managed to cross for a try!
Key stat: 16 metres run – first amongst props
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
31 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
31 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
31 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
31 Go to comments