Crusaders player ratings vs Blues | Super Rugby Aotearoa
After going undefeated in their first four matches of the competition, the Crusaders came a little bit unstuck over their past three, losing to the Highlanders and Chiefs and scoring a golden-point win over the Hurricanes.
The shackles came off against the Blues on Sunday afternoon, however, with the Crusaders racking up a relatively comfortable 29-6 victory.
After a tight contest in the first half, the Crusaders really came to life in the second period. How did the Crusaders players perform in the game which confirmed their top seeding for the grand final?
1. George Bower – 7
Wasn’t needed to carry too much on attack but was always a willing support runner. Huge in defence, making the most tackles of any front-rower in the game. Still obviously a step down from Joe Moody, but has done a solid job in his absence. Off in 67th minute.
2. Codie Taylor – 6.5
Not as impactful with ball in hand as he has been at times this season. From a driving maul, managed to score his seventh try in eight matches and currently tops the Super Rugby Aotearoa try-scoring charts. Snaffled an important turnover when the Blues were hot on attack in the 22 then would have likely scored moments later if he’d been able to hold onto a pass from Sevu Reece. Nailed his lineout deliveries. Copped three weak penalties for getting in the way at breakdowns. Off in 63rd minute.
3. Michael Alaalatoa – 6
Didn’t have the happiest of times in the set-piece. Absolutely done by Karl Tu’inukuafe in the Blues’ first two scrum feeds of the match but did earn one back early in the second half. Off in 63rd minute.
4. Scott Barrett – 7.5
Immense on defence, making 15 tackles. Led from the front as all good captains do. One lineout steal to his name.
5. Samuel Whitelock – 7.5
Showed some nice touches with ball in hand and caused plenty of problems at the breakdown. The Crusaders’ young locks are promising but Whitelock’s re-introduction this week made a big difference for the Crusaders.
6. Ethan Blackadder – 8
The Crusaders’ primary ball-carrier in the forwards, churned through plenty of metres for the home side. Heavily involved on defence, putting in some bone-crunching hits. Continues to show just how good he can be with an extended run of games. Off in 68th minute.
7. Sione Havili Talitui – 8
Exceptional at the breakdown and ruthless on defence – sometimes even when the opposition didn’t have the ball. Silly off-the-ball hit on Tanielu Tele’a almost cost his side 3 points. Off in 60th minute.
The Blues won't feature in the Aotearoa final. #SuperRugbyAotearoa #CRUvBLUhttps://t.co/9rBTFT1V4I
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 25, 2021
8. Cullen Grace – 7
Earlier this week, Scott Robertson said he wanted to see more from Cullen Grace. He won’t yet have answered that call to action. While he was by no means blown off the park, Grace was overshadowed by the other loosies on both teams.
9. Mitchell Drummond – 7
Quietly went about his business, allowing the Crusaders machine to keep churning. Doesn’t necessarily offer too much on attack, but could never be criticised for overplaying his hand as some halfbacks are want to do. Off in 60th minute.
10. Richie Mo’unga – 8
Controlled the game from No 10 – he just seems to love showing off his attacking prowess when up against the Blues. Made plenty of breaks on attack but didn’t always have the support he needed – or couldn’t find them. Goal kicking wasn’t always on the money, which could prove costly in a more competitive match.
11. George Bridge – 6.5
A quiet game for the returning All Black – still obviously not quite back to his best and didn’t always seem certain of when to get involved. Notched up over 40 run-metres and always put pressure on high balls. Off in 68th minute.
12. David Havili – 7.5
Threw a nice short ball for Will Jordan to run onto for the Crusaders’ first try, then mixed things up with a lengthy skip-pass out to Sevu Reece for the Crusaders’ second. Has exceptional distribution skills for a makeshift midfielder and has proved an excellent option there for the Crusaders. Also made a number of important, well-placed kicks. Arguably the form No 12 in the country.
13. Leicester Fainga’anuku – 7
Doesn’t have the top end pace of some of his teammates but makes up for it with his awesome strength, almost always requiring two or three tacklers to bring him to ground. Must be one of the best backs in the world at earning post-contact metres. Shut down Rieko Ioane by regularly rushing up on the Blues midfielder but almost cost his team a try after shooting out of the line and missing Hoskins Sotutu. Off in 67th minute.
14. Sevu Reece – 7
Great work in the first play of the game to steal the ball from Blues lock Dam Sam Darry. Wasn’t really sighted again for the next 20 minutes until he almost set up Codie Taylor for a try, but was touching down for one of his own just moments later off the back of a red zone scrum. Importantly managed to intercept a Blues pass to shut down their attack not far out from the Crusaders tryline. Popped up all over the park and his breakdown work gave the Crusaders the ball they needed to score their final try of the game.
15. Will Jordan – 8
Lovely swerving and stepping to beat five defenders and score his side’s opening try of the game. Turned attacker to defender shortly thereafter, somehow managing to prevent Hoskins Sotutu from scoring what looked like a sure try. Showcased his great pace for his side’s final try. Hasn’t looked quite as sharp this year compared to the last but was back to his best this afternoon.
Will Jordan cut the Blues to pieces on this wonder try to open the scoring in Christchurch. #CRUvBLU #SuperRugbyAotearoa https://t.co/oaW4hQlPV2
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 25, 2021
Reserves:
16. Brodie McAlister – N/A
On in 63rd minute.
17. Tamaiti Williams – N/A
On for his debut in 67th minute.
18. Oli Jager – N/A
On in 63rd minute.
19. Mitchell Dunshea – N/A
On in 68th minute.
20. Tom Sanders – 7
On in 60th minute. Industrious on defence.
21. Bryn Hall – 7
On in 60th minute. Kept up Drummond’s solid delivery.
22. Dallas McLeod – N/A
On in 67th minute.
23. Manasa Mataele – N/A
On in 68th minute. Force one penalty when the Blues were looking likely.
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to comments