Crusaders player ratings vs Chiefs | Super Rugby Pacific
The Crusaders hosted the Chiefs at Orangetheory Stadium on Saturday night in round four of Super Rugby Pacific.
Scott Robertson recalled several All Blacks to the forward pack including Joe Moody, Codie Taylor and Sam Whitelock. It was a tough battle upfront with plenty of feeling from both sides.
The Chiefs were in the game heading into the second half, but the Crusaders calmly built their lead during the match and relied on their defence to repel wave after wave of Chiefs attack. Despite making over 200 tackles, it wasn’t enough to keep the Chiefs from scoring the match-winner right on full-time to end the match 24-21.
Here’s how the Crusaders rated:
1. Joe Moody – 7
The old bull was consistently breaking the line from his hit-ups in contact. A few passes didn’t go to hand but otherwise he was influential for the Saders before being subbed shortly after half time.
2. Codie Taylor – 7.5
Named as captain for the game, Taylor was all over the park in defence and attack. Won a few turnovers and was solid at lineout time. He was even seen ball-hawking on the right wing setting up his outside backs.
3. Fletcher Newell – 6
Toiled away at tighthead prop, putting a massive shift in defence. Held up the scrum on his side, quickly becoming a player the organisation can rely on to put in a consistent performance.
4. Quinten Strange – 5.5
Back in the starting line-up due to the late withdrawal of Scott Barrett. Worked hard around the park but didn’t really assert himself on the match. Set a good platform in the scrum for his fellow forwards and was tireless in defence.
5. Sam Whitelock – 7
As one of the more experienced players in the side, he led the forward pack around the ground admirably. Won some lineouts against the throw.
6. Ethan Blackadder – 7
Was amongst the best in the forward battle and seemingly popped up everywhere to offer support whenever the Saders made a line break. Drooped the ball five metres from the line to squander a certain Crusaders try in the first half.
7. Tom Christie 6.5
Like a typical openside, Christie was tenacious at the breakdown. With the game on the line, he put in a big shift in defence making 19 tackles.
8. Pablo Matera – 7
Matera played his natural game, and was asked to be physical and direct with his carries. He was combative at the breakdown throughout the match.
9. Bryn Hall – 7
After a great cameo of the bench last week, Hall started in the middle for this game and provided great service to his men outside him. Chose his moments to snipe from the base of the ruck and was always there to back up on the inside.
10. Richie Mo’unga – 7
Looked dangerous early, challenging the line and finding gaps between defenders. He showed some silky skills at points but his biggest strength was his ability to control the game and build points. Came off with 10 minutes to go after succumbing to cramps.
11. Leicester Fainga’anuku – 6
Went in looking for work off the ruck but the Chiefs were able to keep him out of action for most of the game. Subbed for George Bridge.
12. David Havili – 7.5
Returned to the midfield and looked to have bulked up in the offseason. He put that size to good use, carrying hard through the middle of the Chiefs defence. Was the lucky recipient of a bobbled ball to score the Crusaders opening try. Immense in defence and saved a try by stripping Pita-Gus Sowakula over the try line.
13. Braydon Ennor 6.5
Busted the line to create a lot of opportunities for his backline. Opened the scoring in the second half by running off a no-look pass for Codie Taylor to score under the posts.
14. Sevu Reece – 6
Showed some aerobatics early in the first half to keep the ball from going into touch off a Chiefs penalty kick. Was always a threat with his elusiveness and quick turn of pace but was often forced to run back infield looking for space.
15. Will Jordan – 6.5
Punished the Chiefs wayward clearance kicking with stellar counter attack. Was fantastic in the air under the high ball. Tried to inject himself into the backline but had limited opportunities.
Reserves
16. Shilo Klein – N/A
Came on with 10 minutes to go and contributed the Saders incredible defence.
17. Abraham Pole N/A
Made some big hits while he was on the field in the dying minutes of the game.
18. George Bower – 6
Got into the game early in the second half and brought plenty of punch in defence.
19. Dominic Gardiner N/A
Only saw about seven minutes of game time.
20. Cullen Grace – 6.5
A handy replacement to bring on at the 55th minute. Was energetic in his efforts and was a leader in defence with the game in the balance.
21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi – 6
Came on with 20 minutes left to face his old team. Continued to provide good service to Mo’ounga and his performance sets up an intriguing selection battle with Hall.
22. Fergus Burke – N/A
Subbed on for Mo’ounga with 10 minutes to go.
23. George Bridge – 6
Came on in the 60th minute for Fainga’anuku but got limited time with the ball in his hands.
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry 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.
2 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 comments