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Chiefs player ratings vs Crusaders | Super Rugby Pacific
For game one of the Super Rugby semi-finals, the Chiefs travelled to Orangetheory Stadium to take on the Crusaders in Christchurch.
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The Chiefs had a mighty task on their hands, aiming to beat the Crusaders at home in the finals for the very first time in the history of the competition. An early yellow card to Quinn Tupaea didn’t help. A man down, the Chiefs set up shop in the Crusaders 22 but couldn’t crack the defence despite Pablo Matera being sent off.
It was the Crusaders who scored the first try through Cullen Grace. The Chiefs responded, with Angus Ta’avao finishing off a 15-phase attack. They went off the boil to close out the first half, however, allowing the Crusaders to cross again.
The Chiefs had opportunities to score in the second half but the Crusaders’ relentless defence frustrated them and they couldn’t convert their chances. The Crusaders, on the other hand, held tough, making over 250 tackles and relying on their first-half heroics to come away victors 20-7.
Here’s how the Chiefs rated:
1. Aidan Ross – 5/10
Was solid at scrum time, and did the unheralded hard yards around the park. Subbed after halftime.
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 6.5
Punched holes in the Crusaders defence all night, carrying 24 times for 48 metres. The Chiefs lineout broke down a few times in the first half as the forward pack tried to contend with the wind.
3. Angus Ta’avao – 6
Was relied on to hit the ball up all night and get the Chiefs moving. Dropped the ball the give the Crusaders an attacking opportunity in their own territory. Found space in tight to crash over for the Chiefs’ first try.
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4. Brodie Retallick – 5.5
Was an imposing presence on the match, and caused trouble for the Crusaders lineout. Fell off a tackle against Will Jordan to open the game, but immediately made up for it by getting a turnover.
5. Tupou Vaa’i – 6
Combined well with Finau to get the Chiefs over the advantage line, carrying nine times for 30 metres. Made eight tackles.
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6. Samipeni Finau – 6
Brought pace and energy in all his runs. Was the Chiefs’ main target in the lineout, winning four throws.
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7. Luke Jacobson – 5
Was industrious around the park but wasn’t able to make as much impact as he would have liked. Shifted to blindside to accommodate Sam Cane late in the piece.
8. Pita Gus Sowakula – 6.5
Was dangerous from the back of the scrum and carried 18 times for 36 metres. Got over the line but couldn’t ground the ball to open the Chiefs’ account.
9. Brad Weber – 5.5
Skippering the team, he couldn’t get his backline firing. He endeavoured to get his forwards rolling but his passing at times was too slow to challenge the Crusaders defence.
10. Bryn Gatland – 4.5
Threw a few erratic passes to start the game and was kicking into the wind for the first half. Went off for an HIA in the first half and returned in the second. Built phases in attack but lacked the killer punch to get his side across the line.
11. Etene Nanai-Seturo – 4
One of the best hot-steppers in the game, but he was kept quiet for most of the match.
12. Quinn Tupaea – 6
His straight running through the middle helped get the Chiefs on the front foot. Topped the team tackle count with 18. Was lucky to escape with a yellow card as he hit Matera as the Argentinian was falling to the ground. Had a chance to put Nankivell in for a try but put too much on the pass.
13. Alex Nankivell – 5
In career-best form this season, but the Crusaders frustrated him with smothering defence and prevented him from breaking the line. Spilled a pass when the Chiefs were on the attack which lead to the Crusaders going 80-metres to score.
14. Jonah Lowe – 4
Came off his wing looking for work around the narrow corridors around the ruck.
15. Josh Ioane – 5
Took over playmaking duties when Galand went off for an HIA. Was poor kicking out of hand. Threw an intercept to Leicester Fainga’anuku to spoil an attacking opportunity right on half time. Split the defence in the second half with a nice goosestep
Reserves:
16. Bradley Slater – N/A
Got on the field with 10 minutes to go.
17. Ollie Norris – 4.5
Replaced Ross in the second half.
18. George Dyer – N/A
Came on in the 70th minute.
19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi – N/A
Came on in the 70th minute.
20. Sam Cane – 6
Came on in the second half to help right the ship for the Chiefs. Tried valiantly and his leadership was tested.
21. Xavier Roe – N/A
Replaced Weber to close out the game but couldn’t spark the Chiefs backs.
22. Rameka Poihipi – N/A
Didn’t get on the paddock.
23. Chase Tiatia – 4.5
Got into the action early in the second half.
Comments on RugbyPass
Not 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.
24 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.
1 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.
24 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
4 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
4 Go to comments