Crusaders player ratings vs Hurricanes | Super Rugby Aotearoa
Round 2 of Super Rugby Aotearoa continued this afternoon at Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch when the Crusaders welcomed their North Island neighbours the Hurricanes to town.
Whilst the bookmakers were clearly favouring the hosts, the Hurricanes have proved they can win in Christchurch, securing a memorable 34-32 win in this fixture last year – which added spice to today’s fixture.
It took the hosts time to find their rhythm due to both a succession of unforced errors coupled with some ardent pressure from the visitors who, though first five Jackson Garden-Bachop came desperately close to scoring against the run of play, only to be thwarted by some identity revealing cover defence by the Crusaders wingers Sevu Reece and Leicester Fainga’anuku.
The home side abated the Hurricanes attack with some stern defence of their own and some exhilarating counter-attack denying the Hurricanes any chance to develop either defensive or attacking momentum, which helped them to go to the sheds at half time with a 26-6 lead.
The second half was no less entertaining with both sides producing some physical, skilful play however the Crusaders, despite clocking up more penalties than wanted, managed to close it out 33-16 against a spirited Hurricanes side.
How did the winning Crusaders players rate in the fixture?
1. Joe Moody – 7/10
Industrious today. Whilst his execution may not have always been accurate, that is no reflection on the effort exerted. Had has battles up front but found a way to produce a positive outcome in the set-piece.
2. Codie Taylor – 8
Scored two tries, had a hand in a third. As always, makes his own luck and was there to capitalise on others’ mistakes. That was the cream on top of what was yet another intelligent, skilful and relentless performance by the All Blacks hooker.
3. Michael Alaalatoa – 7.5
Got pinged for a few infringements around the breakdown but, outside of that, ‘Big Mike’ was very, very solid today. His set-piece held up as expected, setting the platform for the Crusaders, yet his ability to just do the graft in tight was his highlight today.
4. Scott Barrett – 7.5
Much improved discipline today. He was desperate in defensive aspects and cashed in with a nice try down the right flank to finish off a wonderfully executed team try. These are the types of performances that are required from the skipper.
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5. Sam Whitelock – 8.5
A consummate Sam Whitelock performance. He dropped off a tackle but outside of that was, as always, in the thick of it on both sides of the ball. His flick pass in the second half to maintain counter-attack momentum may earn him a Lakers contract yet. Brilliant, brilliant forward.
6. Ethan Blackadder – 7.5
Picked up from where he left off from last week – work, work and more bloody hard work is the best way to describe him today. Left the field with a head-knock after halting an Ardea Savea charge for the line. Team-first performance.
7. Tom Christie – 7
‘Mr Everywhere’, topping the Crusaders tackle count at 15, only dropping off two, but those two were head-on efforts. This bloke is quality but the head-on tackling may be an issue he needs to master as that was his defensive issue last week. Still a very respectable day out.
8. Cullen Grace – 7
Akin to his backrow counterparts, he just worked hard in the unfashionable areas. A more ‘mortar’ than ‘brick’ performance today – but that is what was needed.
9. Mitchell Drummond – 7
Wonderful game by him today, more so how well he controlled the centre of the park, directing play ensuring his forwards knew where and when to be. This, coupled with an ever-reliable passing game gave his side consistent momentum.
10. Richie Mo’unga – 7.5
Appeared hampered a touch by an injured left leg and made a few uncharacteristic mistakes in the early stages of the game, yet as all quality players do, he found a way when backing up to score a wonderful counter-attack try. Went on to influence the game and steer his side home.
11. Leicester Fainga’anuku – 8
Outstanding. Rampaging at times with the ball in hand dragging defence along with him he must have come close to topping the Crusaders post-contact meters. This coupled with his defence, particularly his effort with Sevu Reece to deny Jackson Garden-Bachop a certain 5 pointer, was special.
12. Dallas McLeod – 7.5
If he keeps this up, he’ll been an All Black by the end of the season. Like I said last week, keep an eye of him. His passing impressed today as with his positional play and go forward.
Jona Nareki proved on Friday night that one man can make all the difference.
Were it not for the blistering pace of the Highlanders wing, would the Chiefs still be sitting on a losing streak? @TomVinicombe suspects not. #SuperRugbyAotearoa #CHIvHIGhttps://t.co/MiuP4SYf3D
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 7, 2021
13. Jack Goodhue – 7
Solid today without being spectacular. Did the right thing by looking for a second touch but threw an awful pass that was intercepted and nearly lead to a Hurricanes try. Dropped off a few tackles but hung in and contributed.
14. Sevu Reece – 7.5
Has found a bit of a kicking game, hasn’t he? But, as always, is threatening every time he touches the ball and with his wing partner Leicester Fainga’anuku, prevented a certain Hurricanes try. Very good game today.
15. David Havili – 6.5
Was by no means poor, but has such better rugby in him. He was OK today, missed a tackle and kept busy but Will Jordan may have that 15 on his back next week.
Reserves:
16. Brodie McAlister – 6
Did his job, but the lineout was under somewhat more pressure when he came on. That aside he is not outclassed at this level.
17. George Bower – 6
Strong in the set-piece as expected. Guilty of an infringement but overall contributed to the win.
18. Fletcher Newell – 6
Lots to like about him and looks ready-made for the next generation of Crusader rugby. Will learn so much from the limited minutes he gets.
19. Quinten Strange – 6.5
Showing some ‘in-the-moment intelligence’ when punching through a blindside gap instead of passing and tipped it off with a very astute kick putting his side well onto the attack.
20. Sione Havili Talitui – 6
So strong in the tackle, slowing down the Hurricanes ball. Looks best suited to the finishing role considering the balance of the back row overall.
21. Bryn Hall – 6
Did his job but would have one eye on Mitch Drummond’s performance.
22. Fergus Burke – 6
Like Newell, he will learn so much from the limited minutes he gets but looks like he will be one for the future.
23. Will Jordan – 6.5
Not everything came off for him today, but it was great to see him back on the park. Starter at 15 next week?
Comments on RugbyPass
This sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
12 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
77 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
12 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
12 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
12 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
12 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
12 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
44 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
2 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to comments