Crusaders player ratings against Reds | Super Rugby Trans Tasman
The Crusaders played at test match intensity to flog the Queensland Reds 63-28 in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman and make it a desolate 0 from ten for the hapless Australian teams in the first two rounds of the competition.
In the battle of the champions, there was only one team in it. The star of the show, not for the first time this season was Richie Mo’unga; 29 points and an absolute wizard.
Here’re the Crusaders ratings.
1. George Bower – 7
Solid at scrum time against Tupou. Nothing flashy (which is fine for a prop) but tackled his heart out with a team-topping 9 tackles. Off at 65.
2. Codie Taylor – 6.5
Didn’t look at his best and off at halftime. Back at 70 though with a cameo try.
3. Oliver Jager – 7
Looks like a bit of an imposter as a slimline tighthead but brutishly strong and great technique. Looked good when he handled at first receiver and pounding defence. Lost the scrum hit and penalised before the McDermott try. Off at 50.
4. Mitchell Dunshea – 6.5
I mentioned it last week, the Crusaders are lucky to have this man in their squad, what a talent! Whether it’s prowling down the flanks, gobbling up kickoffs or scrapping it out in the collision zone, he’s an asset. Off at 50.
5. Sam Whitelock – 7.5
I always marvel how often he can just stand at a breakdown with bodies flying around him and he able to stay on his feet and is just focused on that ball. You can’t discount how important his physical presence in contact is to the Crusaders.
6. Whetukamokamo Douglas – 7
Formed a dynamic trio with Blackadder and Grace. Lifted a notch when he moved back to 8 late in the game.
7. Ethan Blackadder – 8.5
Changed up his normal grinding style to open side this week. Lovely linking play to set up the Reece try and seemed to pop up everywhere to link, push forward and led his team in metres. Textbook turnover in the 38th minute and a mammoth hit on Campbell.
8. Cullen Grace – 8
Has really turned his year around form-wise. Looked velocious running for his try but also put his hand up for the tough carries, more often than not getting across the advantage line. He was the top line out target for his team and could be timing his form well for All Black consideration.
9.Mitchell Drummond – 6.5
No yards, no snipes, just pass it to Richie please. Off at 50.
10. Richie Mo’unga – 9
Did a lot of his best work outside the first receiver position in the first half. It was noted that Mo’unga was stationed at 13 in defence off a Reds scrum inside their 22 at the 5 minute mark. He made the tackle, McReight couldn’t hold a one-off ball from the resulting breakdown and the 10 pounced for the first try. At 11 minutes he immaculately set up Reece for another and then again picked up a loose ball wide out and scampered in for his second. At 55 minutes he spotted a gap and glided between Wilson and O’Connor for his hat trick. Ended up with 29 points and enhanced his world-class reputation.
11. Leicester Fainga’anuku – 7
The left wing was the top metre eater in the champion’s backline. He exploded off an attacking line out in the 3rd minute, had some good space to run thanks to Ennor in the first quarter. Came alive again at 50 minutes with a brilliant take from a kick that led to Mo’unga’s 3rd try and came close in the corner moments later. Off at 70.
12. David Havili – 7
Another canny play on defence from the 12, timed the run well to start the attack that Grace scored from. Ignored his outside at 21 minutes on attack that botched a try but great cross kick for Reece’s second try. Every week seems to be more comfortable at the bruising 12 position.
13. Braydon Ennor – 7
Took it up a notch from last week. Really loved the sweet centre play at 21 minutes where he sucked in three defenders and sent Fainga’anuku away. Some decent left foot kicking and big defence too. Good turnover at 66 and mashed Paisami at 72 to make the highlight reel.
14. Sevu Reece – 7.5
Scored his first by maintaining the standard wing’s line and waited for Mo’unga to link. Loved his man-handling of Paenga-Amosa at the ruck but was penalised. Incredible collection of touch finder at 42 minutes to deny the Reds an attack that led to his second try.
15. Will Jordan – 5.5
Not his best night in the Crusaders jersey. Got creamed by Salakaia-Loto and was a little quiet as the Reds chose not to kick to him. Bought a big dummy from Harry Wilson on his way to the line, got a big hospital pass that he coughed up that led to Vunivalu’s touchdown and then botched a catch with a try forming at 71 minutes. A flourish with a scintillating skip pass for Taylor’s try but a finish that summed up his night, yellow carded in the 79th.
Reserves:
16. Brodie McAlister – 6 – On at halftime. Some lively runs and solid in the core roles before exiting with injury around 70.
17. Tamaiti Williams – 7 – On at 65. Showed his power to get the Crusaders over the 50 mark at 69 minutes and managed 8 tackles in 15 minutes. Huge in more ways than one.
18. Michael Alalatoa – 6.5 – On at 50. Got into his work quickly and played well in the loose.
19. Quentin Strange – 6 – On at 50. Some nice touches but doesn’t quite look up to speed yet.
20. – Sione Havili Talitui – 6 – On at 65. Showed his power more than once.
21. Bryn Hall – 6 – On at 50. Kept the linkage going.
22. Dallas McLeod – 6 – On at 59. Had a couple of decent probes and looks very promising.
23. Manasa Mataele – 6 – On at 70. Good assist on Taylor’s try.
Comments on RugbyPass
pure 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!
1 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.
25 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.
25 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.
25 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 comments