Crusaders player ratings vs Hurricanes
The latest round of action in Super Rugby Aotearoa opened with a surprise result in Christchurch, the Hurricanes defeating the Crusaders 34-32 to blow the title race wide open. Hurricanes travelled buoyed by their 29-27 victory over the Blues in round six, yet they faced a Crusaders side well-rested after having the bye last weekend following their 26-15 win over the Blues in round five.
Both sides had much to play for. A bonus point victory would all but seal another title for the Crusaders, yet a win for the Hurricanes would edge them closer to the front runners. Crusaders coach Scott Robertson made several changes to his matchday 23. With full-back David Havili set to miss the balance of the tournament through a persistent thumb injury, rising star Will Jordan was given another opportunity to press for All Black selection.
Regular centre Braydon Ennor was rested due to a foot injury sustained against the Blues, allowing Fetuli Paea to start. True to form, the match produced provincial rugby of the highest calibre with the visitors eventually outmuscling the hosts in a thriller. Here is how RugbyPass rated the Crusaders players:
1. Joe Moody – 7/10
Professional performance by ‘Big Joe’. Dominated in the set-piece and despite starting a wee bit quiet, brought energy and did his best to get his side a result that wasn’t to be.
2. Codie Taylor – 6.5
Made too many uncharacteristic errors. Lineout was off, thwarting his team’s opportunity to launch an attack. Was tireless in defence, notching up 13 tackles. A fair effort, but not his best night.
3. Michael Alaalatoa 6.5
Solid in the set-piece but didn’t impose himself as he had previously in attack in previous rounds. Didn’t shirk it in defence.
4. Samuel Whitelock – 7
Another influential performance. Tried to the final whistle to turn the tide with all his experience, guile and skill. An absolute competitive performance. Exhausted himself for the cause.
5. Mitchell Dunshea – 6.5
A fair shift yet somewhat quite in defence despite securing a turnover. Needed to muscle up to the Hurricanes more.
How's the offload from Goodhue ????
Catch more of this excitement LIVE on @skysportnz.#CRUvHUR pic.twitter.com/BEtiZZjpv0
— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) July 25, 2020
6. Tom Sanders – 6
Made a number of early errors, be it pushing a pass or giving away a penalty. It was a mentally vacant effort by ‘The Colonel’ at times, but to his credit he never quit and was unlucky not to be the recipient of a short ball off Richie Mo’unga that would have shredded the Hurricanes defence, yet the pass didn’t come.
7. Tom Christie – 6.5
Had a fair crack as always but didn’t influence the breakdown as much as he team perhaps would have liked.
8. Whetukamokamo Douglas – 6
A little quiet, he was outmuscled in the in the tight. Has had better performances.
9. Bryn Hall – 5.5
Missed a coupled of tackles and didn’t appear to disturb TJ Perenara. Replaced in the 48th minute.
10. Richie Mo’unga – 8
Another quality performance, scoring 17 points for his side. Had the opportunity to square it up at 34-34 but his conversion drifted left. While he may attract some criticism for that, without his efforts the Crusaders would have been embarrassed.
This was outrageous from the All Blacks wing ? #CRUvHUR #SuperRugbyAotearoahttps://t.co/FcuqHYBSmL
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 25, 2020
11. George Bridge – 7
Didn’t do much wrong but the Hurricanes scored at least three tries down his side. Despite only missing one tackle, his defensive combination with Paea didn’t appear to gel.
12. Jack Goodhue – 5
Every player has a match they would like to forget and this would be his one. Four missed tackles coupled with discipline issues wasn’t the performance his side needed. Was outplayed and that is not something you see often.
13. Fetuli Paea – 6
A fair effort. Had some quality touches, yet was still a bit quiet. Didn’t appear to gel with Bridge in defence.
14. Sevu Reece – 7.5
Influential performance. Scored a wonderful try to give his side an opportunity to take the match to a golden point scenario. It was a deserved try as he was one the best Crusaders.
15. Will Jordan – 6
It didn’t quite happen for him. Despite having some quality involvements, he committed a cardinal sin by letting a Jordie Barrett kick deep into the Crusaders half bounce. Not a performance that enhanced his All Black claims.
Half decent game that was! #SuperRugbyAotearoa pic.twitter.com/G1viGdI6P1
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 25, 2020
Replacements:
16. Andrew Makalio – N/A
On in the 75th minute.
17. George Bower – 5
On in the 63rd minute. Did his job.
18. Oliver Jager – 5
Another on in the 63rd minute. Also did his job.
19. Quinten Strange – 6.5
On in the 57th minute. Impressed with his intent and physicality and scored a much-needed try for his side working off second phase from an attacking scrum, yet was sin-binned for foul play at the death. Despite that there was a bit to like about his efforts.
20. Sione Havili – 5
On in the 60th minute but didn’t bring the impact needed.
21. Mitchell Drummond – 6
On in the 48th minute. Had a crack but on occasion was prone to the odd poor pass.
22. Brett Cameron – N/A
23. Leicester Fainga’anuku – 5
On in the 60th minute. Didn’t bring much influence for a player of his talent.
What a send-off for Ben Lam ahead of his move to Bordeaux! https://t.co/aaRoGW1gcP
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 25, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope WRU cops a 12 month ban.
1 Go to commentsOuch. Pumped. Even Nohamba is a better flyhalf than Ford.
2 Go to commentsI hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
2 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
32 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper 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?
13 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.
10 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.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 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.
27 Go to comments