Crusaders' crux: 'I don't think they can win a title without Richie Mo'unga'

Title heavyweights collided in round 13 of Super Rugby Pacific, and it was the Chiefs who emerged victorious in Christchurch in a contest that highlighted a fatal flaw for the hosts.

That is the perspective of long-time commentator Ken Laban, who had a blunt assessment of the Crusaders’ title hopes in the wake of their second heavy loss to the Chiefs this season.

Leading by 19 points to three as the halftime hooter sounded, the Crusaders conceded a try just one minute later, giving the Chiefs some much-needed relief heading into the sheds.

On the other side of the break, it was one-way traffic as the Chiefs reminded everyone of their depth by bringing three All Blacks into the game off the bench.

Pulling the strings throughout the 80 minutes, though, was Damian McKenzie. Laban found the All Black’s game management emphasised the Crusaders’ inexperience at 10.

“Nah mate, I don’t think they can win the Super Rugby title without Richie Mo’unga,” commentator Ken Laban told SportNation‘s Beaver and Guy.

“We all know what the scenario is; you need a world-class player in the halves, especially in that No. 10 jersey, capable of turning all of those half-chances into linebreaks; into tries, all of those sorts of things. That only comes with time in the ring.

“In my view, the best two 10s in the country are Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett, you take Richie out of that conversation. I think the Crusaders have done a tremendous job, to come back with the roster they’ve had, they’ve done the best that they can. But a hot-form Chiefs with Damian in the 10 jersey, or a Blues team that hits great form over the next three weeks with Beauden, I just can’t see the Crusaders being in that mix.”

When asked what the difference was between the first and second halves in Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash in Christchurch, Laban had a simple answer: “Damian McKenzie”.

“He was a very, very big factor,” he continued. “Versus a Crusaders team that hasn’t had Richie for two years.

“When push comes to shove, like that game was, the big boys get up as if it’s a final; so all the intensity of aggressive defence, aggressive in the contact and turning opportunities into points, but a class act and class performance from Damian.

“Those two tries on either side of halftime, that’s what great teams do, and we’ve been talking about it for a number of years now, they’ve been unlucky not to have their name on the cup. But, in my view, it’s theirs to lose now, the Chiefs.

“They’ve probably been the best team in the comp over the last three years, and I certainly hope that Clayton McMillan gets the parade that he deserves at the end of it, because I have huge respect for him as a coach.”