Crusaders player ratings vs Blues | Super Rugby Pacific
The Blues and Crusaders met for the final time in the current era for a Friday night semi-final in Christchurch.
The final chapter of Mo’unga v Barrett, a duel that has ruled much of the past six years in both Super Rugby and All Blacks debates.
Injuries sadly deprived us of more famous head-to-heads, but the build-up promised no surrender of the fierce emotion within the rivalry.
Considering the build-up and injuries, a halftime Crusaders lead of 32-3 was not on my semi-finals bingo card. The Crusaders yet again reminded everyone that they are simply built for this time of year.
The home side kept the pressure on and executed throughout the full 80, putting up a surprising 52 points and only conceding eight before Caleb Clarke scored in the 81st minute.
Here’s how the Crusaders rated:
1. Tamaiti Williams – 8.5
Williams kept up with linebreaks to provide dominant clearouts at the ruck. The prop was again employed in the Crusaders’ plays as a distributor and provided silky touches, contributing to scoring opportunities. His shoulder was felt by Blues forwards and backs alike. Again, Williams’ composure and discipline impressed through all the physicality.
2. Codie Taylor – 8.5
After some quiet periods throughout the season, Taylor has found his form again by throwing himself into the dirty work. He was relentless around the breakdown, winning multiple turnovers in the first half alone by driving through the middle and getting his hands on the ball. One or two shaky moments at the lineout were overshadowed by the well-executed plays which resulted in points.
3. Oliver Jager – 8
Jager was unexpectedly put into half gaps and stampeded his way upfield. His defence was physical, providing some dominant hits on his opposites. Few scrums in the game didn’t provide much opportunity for Jager to square off with Ofa Tu’ungafasi. Off at halftime.
4. Scott Barrett – 9
Claimed his brother’s kick off the opening whistle and put a hit on Rieko Ioane, influencing a knock-on and retrieving possession within the opening minute. A number of awkward kick-offs went his way and the captain only missed one. Barrett was active in the carry too, making some physical hit-ups. As expected, the All Black’s work around the ruck was accurate.
5. Quinten Strange – 7.5
Strange looked comfortable under the bright lights of semi-final rugby and was highly involved from the first until last minute. His lineout work was strong and he made a significant impact through his defence, making 16 tackles.
6. Sione Havili Talitui – 7.5
Havili Talitui wasn’t putting in the dominant hits but he was going low and bringing the Blues’ ball runners down, racking up 20 tackles by full-time. Nearly every Crusaders forward was threatening at the breakdown and Havili Talitui was no different, starting the second half strong by winning his side a turnover.
7. Tom Christie – 7.5
Christie had a rough start to the game, he was called up for a couple of early mistakes, giving the Blues a shot at set-piece attack. 20-tackle nights have become the baseline for Christie and tonight’s tackle count was up to his usual remarkable standard.
8. Christian Lio-Willie – 9
Lio-Willie was exceptional on the night, consistently getting his hands on the ball and running hard, finishing the game just one meter shy of beating Richie Mo’unga for the most meters gained. His offload game came out in the second half and set up more attacking play. The young No 8 went searching around the ruck and threatened before winning his side a turnover.
Furthering the impressive performance was Lio Willie’s involvement as a decision-maker off the back of the lineout move which led to Fainga’anuku’s second try. His discipline was on point, only getting called for an infringement after the 80th minute.
9. Mitch Drummond – 7.5
Drummond benefitted from some superb work around the breakdown from the Crusaders’ forward pack, who were clean and efficient in getting quick ball from the breakdown. The Crusaders’ attack was clear and purposeful, Drummond facilitating the right side of the field every time.
10. Richie Mo’unga – 9
Mo’unga’s playmaking brilliance was on full display from the opening minutes, placing a pass perfectly to set Braydon Ennor away for a try. There were trademark runs, defenders beaten, cross-field kicks, and cover tackles. The final instalment of Mo’unga v Barrett was won by Richie.
11. Leicester Fainga’anuku – 9
Fainga’anuku brought energy to the game, he was hyped and showed it every time he injected himself into the game. The winger was active around the ruck, picking and going to mixed effect against the Blues’ forwards. Defensively, he stole a ball from the breakdown and laid a hefty hit on Ricky Riccitelli amongst others.
Two tries on the night were just reward after relentless carries and a lot of heart in what may be his final home game in Christchurch.
12. Jack Goodhue – 8
Goodhue was industrious around the park, a rare clearance kick from the second five was very well executed. The defence was the star of the show though, Goodhue led the game with a staggering 24 tackles, unheard of for a back. Better yet was his second efforts getting out of the way so all the turnovers his side won at the breakdown were clean. The distribution was clear and decisive, skipping players to find the open man.
13. Braydon Ennor – 8
After claiming the opening try of the game, Ennor was in some fine form, providing subtle touches that got the ball wide under pressure. A strong hit on Bryce Heem in the opening minutes sent the Blues midfielder over the sideline and provided another attacking opportunity. The All Black provided some quick thinking with kicks in the attack putting further pressure on the Blues.
14. Dallas McLeod – 7.5
McLeod made good decisions and good reads to keep Caleb Clarke quiet on the wing. His effort around the park was rewarded with a charge down. Strong defence across the board from the utility back.
15. Will Jordan – 8.5
Was quiet for the opening ten minutes but injected himself with all his pace in the 11th minute, running a great line and delivering the pass to set up Leicester Fainga’anuku for the try. The gaps weren’t there for Jordan but he ran hard and kept going at the Blues. The fullback was to the test with a cross-field kick from Beauden Barrett and claimed a difficult, physical take to save a try.
Poetry in motion 🤌
Watch now:
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🇦🇺 @StanSportAU #CRUvBLU #WelcomeToYourSuperStage #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/EQdkTUZOBv— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) June 16, 2023
Reserves:
16. Brodie McAlister – 6
17. Kershawl Sykes-Martin – 7
18. Reuben O’Neill – 7
19. Dominic Gardiner – 7
20. Corey Kellow – 7
21. Willi Heinz – 8
22. Fergus Burke – 8.5
23. Chay Fihaki – 8.5
Comments on RugbyPass
One significant tell, not a single Waratahs player stopped to whinge to the ref about Finau’s tackle. They got on with playing the game. Great tackle.
8 Go to commentsWouldn’t be a bad move if Ireland pulled into SA with a young side. Particularly in Pretoria. Invaluable experience getting thumped in the bosveld.
53 Go to commentsIreland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
53 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
53 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
53 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
1 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
53 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
53 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
53 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
53 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
53 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
53 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to commentsAre bookies taking bets on how many times Vunipola's eventual statement will use the term “elders"? My money is on at least 4 times.
4 Go to commentsSo Ireland will be tired, despite having the most rested test squad in the world. They only play tests, champions cup and urc play off games ffs! Case in point; Leinster sent a B squad to SA for their last two games while their first xv rested up and trained at their leisure for the sf vs Saints at the so called ‘neutral venue’ of Croke Park. So tired? Do me a favour… And as for “people’s champions”? Seriously??? Outside of Ireland they are respected for their ability to win 6N. And of course plenty of inconsequential test friendlies without any real pressure. WC ko games when the pressure is white hot? Not so much…
53 Go to commentsSurprising how standing down or benching a player can do wonders for their motivation. Several players this week in that category.
2 Go to comments