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.
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.
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.
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
Oh 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 the @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?
2 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!
2 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.
7 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 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 comments