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Crusaders player ratings vs Chiefs | Super Rugby Aotearoa
The Crusaders and Chiefs entered their Saturday night clash in vastly different circumstances.
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The Crusaders are targeting a fifth successive championship while the Chiefs were hoping to avoid equalling the Highlanders’ 11-match losing streak.
While it was close in the early stages, the Crusaders showed their class in the second half and off the back of some exceptional scrum dominance, eventually prevailed over the visitors 39-17.
Who were the winning team’s best performers on the night?
1. George Bower – 8/10
No matter who the Crusaders play in the front row, you know they’re going to do the job. Helped dismantle the Chiefs scrum, despite lining up against a considerably more experienced All Black. Busy on defence. You get the feeling that against all odds, Bower might actually be the second-best loosehead prop in the competition.
2. Codie Taylor – 8
A quieter shift on attack than in the Crusaders’ opening two matches but was industrious at the breakdown, ensuring the Chiefs weren’t able to get quick ball on more than one occasion. One-third of a strong front row performance.
3. Michael Alaalatoa – 7
Didn’t stand out as much as his propping partner but still caused havoc in the scrums. Happy to cart the ball up but didn’t look overly enthusiastic on the night. Regardless, if you send your opposition backwards in the set-pieces then you’re doing a pretty good job as a tight forward.
4. Scott Barrett – 7.5
Did the core work that allowed his teammates to prosper. Made 11 tackles and was a thorn in the Chiefs lineout. Put in some punishing hits on defence.
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5. Sam Whitelock – 7
How many years has his career been extended thanks to last year’s COVID disruption? Has upped his game since 2019 and his soft skills were on full display against the Chiefs, regularly stepping into the backline to help deliver the ball to the wider channels.
6. Sione Havili Talitui – 7.5
Handed a rare start and took the opportunity with open arms. Crashed into the opposition players – whether the Crusaders were on attack or defence, and never backed down from a challenge. Topped his side’s tackle charts with 14 to his name.
The Chiefs have fallen to their 11th successive defeat after crumbling against the Crusaders in a 39-17 loss in Christchurch. Here's how they rated ?? #CRUvCHI #SuperRugbyAotearoa https://t.co/6DEXBbAlwM
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 13, 2021
7. Tom Christie – 8
The new Matt Todd. A nuisance at the breakdown and always makes his tackles – and added a bit of venom to his hits this week. Found some metres running in the outfield too.
8. Whetukamokamo Douglas – 7.5
A late addition to the starting side but as good as any of his contemporaries. Hits hard and hits consistently. One of the Crusaders’ busiest ball-carriers and threw himself into the breakdown with reckless abandon. Just how much depth do the Crusaders have in the loose forwards?
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9. Mitch Drummond – 7
Has an exceptional platform laid down for him and plays the link between the forwards and the backs to perfection. Hasn’t necessarily set the world alight with his running game this year but when everyone else is so on-form, is that really a problem?
10. Richi Mo’unga – 9.5
Jinked, jived, and led the Crusaders around the park with aplomb. Has started the season on fire and is so far and away the best No 10 in New Zealand right now that it’s not even funny. Beat nine Chiefs defenders, made two linebreaks, and kicked expertly.
11. Leicester Fainga’anuku – 8
The next big thing in New Zealand rugby? Tough to tackle, usually drags in at least two or three defenders and rarely dies with the ball. Still has to work on his defence, however, and was at fault for both the Chiefs’ scores. Still, there are so many upsides to this behemoth wing. How about that finish?
12. David Havili – 8
Looks so good, wherever he plays. Stepped into first receiver at times and found plenty of holes in the Chiefs defence, setting up plenty of linebreaks. Safe as houses in defence too. With Will Jordan such a threat at the back, a long-term stint at No 12 beckons for the former All Black – as does a re-call to the national side.
13. Jack Goodhue – 6.5
Quiet but steady in the midfield. Was outshone by his teammates, but not everyone can flourish on the night.
14. Sevu Reece – 5.5
Had an exceptionally quiet first half, not getting his hands on the ball at all. Came to life a bit more in the second half but wasn’t able to really have an impact on the game. Did his pass in-field really go forwards?
15. Will Jordan – 8
Makes everything look so easy. Runs brilliant lines – one of which resulted in an untouched dash to the line, and almost had a second try late in the game. Uncannily fast and should really be starting at fullback every week.
Leicester Fainga'anuku has produced an early contender for the try of the year with an acrobatic effort in his side's clash against the Chiefs. #CRUvCHI #SuperRugbyAotearoa https://t.co/trNzZ8GcQx
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 13, 2021
Reserves:
16. Brodie McAlister – 6.5
Hit his lineouts and helped maintain the scrum’s dominance. Solid outing – deserves a start at some stage.
17. Joe Moody – 7
Aggressive, as always, and absolutely dominated Sione Mafileo in the scrums. In his prime.
18. Fletcher Newell – 6
Had 16 minutes at the end of the match and didn’t take a step backwards.
19. Mitch Dunshea – 7
Hung about on the wing for a well-taken try. Despite the Crusaders’ superb starting locks, they still lose little when bringing on Dunshea.
20. Quinten Strange – 6
Joined the fray late in the piece and kept himself busy with some tidy carries and breakdown work.
21. Bryn Hall – 6
Carried on Mitch Drummond’s solid work.
22. Fergus Burke – 7
Showed a nice touch for Mitch Dunshea’s late try.
23. Dallas McLeod – N/A
Popped up out wide but didn’t have much time to assert himself.
Comments on RugbyPass
Super rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
8 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
8 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
14 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
14 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
8 Go to comments