Crusaders player ratings vs Blues | Super Rugby Pacific
In what can only be described as an epic match, the Blues have defeated the Crusaders 27-23 at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch.
The match was billed as a blockbuster and the first half didn’t disappoint. Like champion heavyweights each side felt each other out with the ‘jab’ game but then landed some significant blows once opportunities were identified. Despite some lineout issues, the Blues upped the tempo and went into the sheds up 17-7 half time.
The second half delivered everything. Cards, grit, more cards, skill, physicality and fearless rugby from whistle-to-whistle and it was the Blues who managed to hang on to seal the win from the late charging Crusaders.
A privilege to watch, this one. This is how the Crusaders rated:
1. Joe Moody – 6.5/10
Nullified the Blues set-piece early and contributed with several determined carries and cleans when his side were on the attack. Yet uncharacteristically, he had a few defensive lapses. Left the field in the 35th minute with a leg injury – a shame, as he was building.
2. Codie Taylor – 8
Was a real leader for his side, particularly around the collision. He really grew into his game in the second half and was simply immense on the left flank causing the Blues any number of issues.
3. Oli Jager – 5.5
A defensive misread that lead to a Blues try coupled with a clean dropped ball that relieved pressure off the Blues was evidence of not a great first half for the Irishman. He held up his end of the bargain in the scrum but didn’t nail the detail in other aspects of the game.
4. Scott Barrett – 6
Was having a very strong game on both sides of the ball, yet a red card for a high shot on Alex Hodgman saw his side down to 13 men at one stage. Sadly, ill-discipline isn’t a one off for him as he has been red carded for the All Blacks for similar behaviour. Needs to get on top of these as it is simply too costly.
5. Zach Gallagher – 7
The Crusaders have developed another quality lock forward in this young man. He wasn’t perfect, but he never stopped. Chased everything, tackled everything and left everything out on the park. Tremendous mindset.
6. Ethan Blackadder – 7
Tireless performance and really stepped up when his side were on the ropes during the middle third of the match.
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7. Tom Christie – 7.5
The Minister for Defence, was relentless around the ball. Whilst he didn’t always execute as efficiently as he has previously, he got himself into the right zones to affect the match. Does this man ever stop? Can this man ever stop?
8. Cullen Grace – 7.5
Really stepped up tonight in the physicality department. There may be some NRL clubs looking at him as he ran with some serious grit and directness time and time again.
9. Bryn Hall – 6
I thought neither of the Crusaders 9s played particularly well tonight. His midfield box kick that went pretty much nowhere was park rugby. Has better stuff in him.
10. Richie Mo’unga – 7.5
Played the basics with panache. His 50/22 when his side were on the ropes was special. Despite missing a very kickable shot at the posts he really was exceptional in most aspects of game tonight. Kept his side in it but perhaps cost his side a try when he hung onto it close to the line.
11. Leicester Fainga’anuku – 5.5
Never really found his way into the match.
12. David Havili – 6
A Jekyll-and-Hyde performance by him. His pass to hit Will Jordan drifting off a narrow Blues defence was centre meter perfect. His kicking game was a bit hit and miss, this coupled with his yellow card were the negative side to his performance.
13. Braydon Ennor – 6
Made some mistimed runs coupled with some strong carries. He certainly looked for some work and did cause the Blues some issues. A fair effort.
14. Sevu Reece – 8
He was a handful for the Blues tonight, crossing the paint twice. Showed some exceptional handling skills at times and looked for work when work needed to be done. Strong game.
15. Will Jordan – 7.5
Threatening as ever. Deserved his try and found space through the middle consistently. If anything, he could have supported the play better but all things considered he was on tonight.
Replacements:
16. Ricky Jackson – N/A
17. George Bower – 6
On in the 35th and experienced some issues at the set piece. Didn’t really nail the detail up until about the 67th minute when he buzzed Mark Telea’s tower with a great hit. Snapped him into the game and finished well.
18. Fletcher Newell – 6
He brought plenty when he came on. Nothing special, just did his job.
19. Dominic Gardiner – 6
Looked to play on the wide edges and failed to execute an offload down the left side. When charging down the right side in the 78th minute it would have been good to see him to run the outside-in angle to give himself a greater chance of keeping the play alive.
20. Pablo Matera – 6
Steadied the ship with his experience and contributed well in tight.
21. Mitch Drummond – 5.5
A few too many looped passes, coupled with short passes hindered his side. He worked hard to get to the breakdown but like some of his mates, didn’t nail the detail at some crucial times.
22. Fergus Burke – N/A
23. George Bridge – 7
Added some real impact to the match. Just looked to take the Blues on at every opportunity and caused them some real issues. Probably played himself into the starting line-up.
Comments on RugbyPass
A 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 commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to comments