Crusaders player ratings vs Blues | Super Rugby Pacific
The grand final rematch comes at an intriguing time for the Crusaders, having won just one match from three in 2023 and having suffered a physical loss at the hands of the Drua in Fiji last round.
The reigning champions were under immense pressure from early in the game as the Blues came out with great intent and some creative attacking plays. A mix of strong defensive play and sloppy execution from the Blues relieved pressure in the opening passages but Mark Telea showed his class to open the scoring with a long-range run.
The two sides went back and forth throughout the first half, each responding to the other’s tries. A yellow card to the Blues’ reserve prop James Lay led to the Blues having to play with 13 men and the Crusaders capitalised instantly, going into the break with a lead of 24-21.
The second half continued the battle with the two heavyweights going blow for blow. When either side managed to retain the ball and string some phases together, attacking opportunities ensued.
Ultimately the Crusaders took their opportunities and the Blues will rue some faulty execution on the try line.
It’s fair to say the Crusaders got the rub of the green on some calls and even Scott Barrett in his post-match interview admitted his side may have been lucky to come out with the win in such a close contest. Final score: 34-28.
Here’s how the Crusaders rated:
1. Joe Moody – 8
It hasn’t been the smoothest return to the lineup for Moody who’s coming off an ACL rupture in 2022, but the scrummaging has been solid and the rest of his game is trending back up to the international level. Showed up around the park making some dynamic tackles. Was forced to come back onto the field after a yellow to his replacement making for a big shift from the 34-year-old.
2. Codie Taylor – 6.5
A poorly executed first tackle gave the Blues an attacking opportunity in the opening minute. Went about his business in defence but was quiet on attack throughout. Made a blatantly cynical play at the ball in the ruck which should have seen him yellow carded but got away with it.
3. Tamaiti Williams – 7
Contributed some subtle touches early, one of which set up his side’s opening try. Williams’ scrummaging game has come along nicely and will continue to be tested with Fletcher Newell’s injury.
4. Scott Barrett – 7.5
A master in the lineout, spoiling the Blues’ rolling maul. Physicality in defence came into play late. Incurred a late penalty which gave the Blues their final attacking opportunity in the Crusaders’ 22.
5. Sam Whitelock – 7.5
Disrupted an early Blues opportunity at a crucial moment and did the same in the closing minutes, possibly sealing the game for his team.
6. Ethan Blackadder – 9
An uncharacteristic early handling error didn’t dent Blackadder’s confidence in the slightest, his remarkable work rate persevered and he was rewarded with the Crusaders’ second try. It’s like there’s more than one of him on the field Blackadder is involved in so much play on both sides of the ball. A desperate play at the ball stopped the Blues from scoring in the 69th minute.
7. Tom Christie – 7
Some typically tenacious defence, making tackles from every angle. Could have seen yellow for some blatant cynical play in the 76th minute while his side already had an advantage against them. Christie came out of this game looking like he’d been in a gnarly fight, batted and bruised but not surrendering an ounce of effort.
8. Sione Havili Talitui – 6
Havili Talitui went about his business on defence, making 12 tackles. Elsewhere he was quiet.
9. Mitchell Drummond – 7
Drummond has struggled with his form so far this season but is slowly finding his feat in 2023, and this match was another step in the right direction for the halfback. With Mo’unga handling the majority of the kicking game, Drummond’s influence in that space was minimal but effective.
10. Richie Mo’unga – 8.5
Made a couple of clutch tackles early as the last line of defence. The broken-play nature of the first half brought out a variety in Mo’unga’s skillset, his kicking game both long and short created opportunities and his flat passing found runners at ease. The audacity to go for a cross-kick from his own line in the 45th minute was ridiculous and exactly what makes him the All Blacks top option.
11. Leicester Fainga’anuku – 9
Fainga’anuku hasn’t managed to have such a strong influence on matches this year compared to his breakout season in 2022, but started round 4 with a renewed sense of enthusiasm and found the ball multiple times early. Finished two first-half tries with finesse. Retrieved a cross kick early in the second 40 and ran 80 meters, fending off Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to score his third.
12. Dallas McLeod – 8.5
Does a great job of finding the half-gaps and running straight lines to give the Crusaders front foot ball, using his physicality to take the ball into contact in areas that make his support’s job easier in clearing the ensuing ruck. Started the second half showing a bit of his kicking game, which yielded a positive gain in territory.
13. Braydon Ennor – 8
looked much more at home in a more structured game this week compared to last. Slipped off Telea leading to the Blues’ opening try. Ennor’s ability to consistently read attacking schemes and disrupt the ball doesn’t always mean he’s running out of the line making the big play, but it does continually put pressure on the attack, keeping them on their toes and disrupting front foot ball.
14. Sevu Reece – 7.5
Typically involved on both ends and punished any tackle attempt that was lacking. Losing the aerial battle to Caleb Clarke showed Reece’s Achilles heel, one that is holding him back in the All Blacks pecking order. Off ten minutes into the second half.
15. Fergus Burke – 7
Found more opportunities to inject himself on attack. Claimed the Crusaders opening try with a great line and just enough pace. Quiet in the second 40.
Reserves:
16. Brodie McAlister – 6.5
Came on with great defensive presence but a not straight lineout gifted the Blues their final attacking opportunity in the final minute.
17. Kershawl Sykes-Martin – 5
Yellow carded in the 65th minute after a number of team penalties.
18. George Bower – 6.5
19. Zach Gallagher – 6
20. Christian Lio-Willie – 6.5
21. Willi Heinz – 7.5
Heinz’s kicking game is turning into a real asset for the Crusaders. Remarkable try-saving tackle on Hoskins Sotutu in the dying minutes.
22. Pepesana Patafilo – 7.5
Great defensive IQ shown, positioning himself and timing his tackles well to disrupt forward momentum.
23. Macca Springer – 7
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments