Brumbies player ratings vs Crusaders | Super Rugby Pacific
For round 13 of Super Rugby Pacific the Brumbies welcomed the Crusaders to GIO Stadium in Canberra.
The Brumbies were coming off a 3-0 record against New Zealand sides and this match we set to be the game of the round against the third-placed Crusaders.
The Brumbies got off to a fast start, with Irae Simone crossing the line and applying enough downward pressure for the refs to award a try. Inevitably, the Crusaders hit back with two tries of their own and extended the lead by taking the three points whenever they ventured into Brumbies territory.
The Brumbies struck back quickly after half-time, but uncharacteristic mistakes allowed the Crusaders back into the match. It was a frantic finish to the end of the game, but the Crusaders were able to hold out the Brumbies to close out the game 37-26.
Here’s how the Brumbies rated:
1. James Slipper – 6/10
Playing in his 50th match for the Brumbies. Was pressured early in the scrum but was able to adjust. Carried five times and made seven tackles.
2. Lachlan Lonergan – 6
His shaky lineout throws gifted possession to the Crusaders on more than one occasion. Was outmuscled at scrum time but worked around the park.
3. Allan Alaalatoa – 6
Held up his side of the scrum and made 10 tackles in a big defensive effort. Ran himself into the ground. Subbed in the 60th minute.
4. Darcy Swain – 6.5
Continues to be the competition leader in lineout defence and put pressure on the Crusaders lineout and maul throughout the game, as well as making 13 tackles around the park. Was targeted five times in the lineout.
5. Cadeyrn Neville – 7
His work rate is why he’s gaining the attention of Wallabies, and again he made plenty of carries a did a lot of the nitty-gritty immeasurables. Lost the ball in the lineout just as the Brumbies wrestled back momentum in the first half but made up for it with an important steal in the second half. Replaced by Frost in the 54th minute.
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6. Tom Hooper 7.5
Carried hard and played well above his weight. Was one of the best Brumbies forward on the ground. He was able to switch back seamlessly between performing the roles of lock and flanker during the match, making nine carries, recording a team-high 15 tackles as well as playing an important role in the lineout.
7. Jahrome Brown – 5.5
Struggled to make his usual impact and impose himself on the match. Brumbies lost a carrying weapon when he left the game. Was subbed at halftime with a pulled groin.
8. Pete Samu – 6.5
Was a warrior in defence, making nine tackles and putting his body on the line. It was a tough-fought battle at the breakdown and Samu caused the Crusaders headaches all night. Was also targeted four times in the lineout.
9. Nic White – 6.5
Was quick to the ruck to get the Brumbies on the front foot. His tactical kicking kept the Brumbies in the game by peeling off territory. Subbed off in the 57th minute.
10. Rodney Iona – 5.5
Was charged down by the Crusaders which lead to Cody Taylor’s try, then 5 minutes later spilt a grubber kick allowing it to fall into Reece’s hands for the Crusaders’ second try. Came out in the second half with much more control. Made a break up the middle to give the brumbies a sniff.
11. Andy Muirhead – 6
Made a lot of great tackles on his wing. Was good in the air under the high ball when the Crusaders peppered the Brumbies back three.
12. Irae Simone – 7
Opened the scoring for the Brumbies by just getting enough pressure down on the ball over the line and scored the Brumbies’ second rights after halftime by running a hard, direct line. He was excellent on defence again.
13. Len Ikitau – 6
Was contained pretty well in the first half but as the game broke open late he was able to break the line six times for 49 metres. Made 12 tackles in an assured defensive effort.
14. Tom Wright – 7
Was evasive all game, making good decisions when to run and when to kick and was able to peel off a game-high 142 metres. He lost the ball close to the line off a pick and go when the Brumbies were hammering the Crusaders line. He made a crucial interception to score a try in the 72nd minute.
15. Tom Banks – 6
Combined well with Wright to probe the Crusaders defence for gaps but it was hard going to find space out wide. As the game opened up he was able to make 80 metres off 10 runs.
Reserves:
16. Folau Fainga’a – 7
Subbed on in the second half to bolster the scrum and control the ball at the back of the Brumbies’ powerful maul. Scored from close out to put the Brumbies within striking distance.
17. Scott Sio – 6
On in the 65th minute. The veteran prop but in another impressive showing and put Banks in a handy hole.
18. Tom Ross – 5.5
On in the 60th minute. Backed up his forwards around the park and made some hard carries.
19. Nick Frost – 6
Made an impact at lineout time and made six tackles.
20. Luke Reimer – 7
Came on to start the second half and won some crucial turnovers at the breakdown. Tackled his heart out and put pressure on the Crusaders attack.
21. Rory Scott – N/A
On in the 65th minute.
22. Ryan Lonergan – 6.5
On in the 57th-minute mark. Picked up the pace for the Brumbies, directing his forwards into holes and making challenging probes to keep the Crusaders guessing.
23. Ollie Sapsford – N/A
On in the 72nd minute.
Comments on RugbyPass
Exciting place to be for the young fella. I expected he was French Polynesian when I saw him included in the France 6N squad (after seeing him in NZs), and therefor be strong grounds we might loose him to rugby down here. Good, in that he is good enough to warrant such a profile, and from a journalism’s fan interaction aspect, to finally get a back ground story on the fella. Hope he has settled into NZ OK and that at least one rugby country will fit with him to help his development, which, if so, he should surely continue for a few years, and then that he can experience France to it’s fullest with a bit more maturity and less reliance on family than you would have at his current age. A good 3 or 4 years before he would be ready for International duty if he wanted to wait. Of course he already sounds good enough to accept a call up, and to cap himself, in the more immediate future (he’d have to be very very good in the case of the ABs), and he’ll get a great taste of that being with the Canes who have a bunch who are just a few years further into their career and looking likely Internationals themselves.
11 Go to commentsI remember towards the end of the original broadcasting deal for Super rugby with Newscorp that there was talk about the competition expanding to improve negotiations for more money - more content, more cash. Professional rugby was still in its infancy then and I held an opposing view that if Super rugby was a truly valuable competition then it should attract more broadcasters to bid for the rights, thereby increasing the value without needing to add more teams and games. Unfortunately since the game turned professional, the tension between club, talent and country has only grown further. I would argue we’re already at a point in time where the present is the future. The only international competitions that matter are 6N, RC and RWC. The inter-hemisphere tours are only developmental for those competitions. The games that increasingly matter more to fans, sponsors and broadcasters are between the clubs. Particularly for European fans, there are multiple competitions to follow your teams fortunes every week. SA is not Europe but competes in a single continental competition, so the travel component will always be an impediment. It was worse in the bloated days of Super rugby when teams traversed between four continents - Africa, America, Asia and Australia. The percentage of players who represent their country is less than 5% of the professional player base, so the sense of sacrifice isn’t as strong a motivation for the rest who are more focused on playing professional rugby and earning as much from their body as they can. Rugby like cricket created the conundrum it’s constantly fighting a losing battle with.
3 Go to commentsOh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
3 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
3 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
11 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to comments