Crusaders player ratings vs Moana Pasifika | Super Rugby Pacific
Moana arrived in Christchurch for round seven of Super Rugby Pacific in search of their first win of the season and looked poised to take it.
The Crusaders started the game by executing their set piece well and playing the territory game to good effect. While the Crusaders may have been the first to score, it was Moana who had the momentum throughout the opening 40 and had the better of both the possession and territory.
Timoci Tavatavanawai and Levi Aumua shredded the Crusaders’ defence apart with their physicality and well-calculated running lines, each scoring in the process. Missed 15 tackles from the Crusaders was reflected in a halftime score of 17-21 to Moana.
The second 40 was slightly better managed by the Crusaders, they looked to play to their strengths and keep the ball out of Moana’s dangerous players’ hands. Their discipline and set piece was still poor, as was their tackle execution but the home team were let off the hook by Moana’s discipline and faulty execution at crucial moments.
A full-time score of 38-21 flattered the Crusaders, but they took their chances late to close out the game.
Here’s how the Crusdaers rated:
1. Joe Moody – 7
Kicked the game off with a strong scrum performance, winning his side a penalty. Had a few cracks at the Moana line, not winning any post-contact metres but keeping the defence honest. Was called for a penalty that contributed to Moana’s continued momentum. Was told off for talking trash to his opposite in the scrum.
2. Codie Taylor – 6
Ran a great line to score off Mo’unga’s linebreak. The lineouts were scrappy for both sides throughout, Taylor probably missed his All Black locking partners in that respect. We’re still not seeing the best of Taylor in 2023, he had one or two strong performances to start the season but hasn’t featured in the Crusaders’ game nearly as much as in previous years, despite the team’s injuries.
3. Tamaiti Williams – 5.5
Strong in the scrum, limited impact elsewhere. Williams just couldn’t find his way into the game, his skillset is developing really nicely and the Crusaders could have benefitted from his work in tight, whether it be his dominant running or his distribution play.
4. Quinten Strange – 4
The young locks had big shoes to fill in this one and while they struggled with some of the workload, most notably getting around the park to hit the rucks consistently, there were positive signs on defence. Strange hit a dozen tackles with a lone miss.
5. Dominic Gardiner – 7
Runs some great lines to inject himself into the game. Generally shows a high work rate, as evidenced by his support line to score. Is still developing his nose for the breakdown, he made some dominant collisions when the opportunity presented itself but the Crusaders’ forward pack as a whole missed a lot of rucks.
6. Sione Havili Talitui – 7
Again proved to be the Crusaders’ most physical tackler, and again was one of their most penalised players. 17 tackles on the night with a single miss along with his five runs is evidence of his work rate.
7. Corey Kellow – 5
Had a strong start, providing dynamic and physical play on defence. Yellow carded for a blatantly illegal turnover attempt after an impressive try-saving chase-down tackle. Moana scored within the following minute which sparked their momentum. Made some good runs but his efforts were undermined by his ill-discipline.
8. Christian Lio-Willie – 6
As Assistant Coach Scott Hansen said at halftime, the Crusaders weren’t protecting their mates, they weren’t supporting each other at the breakdown.
9. Mitchell Drummond – 7
Drummond’s box-kicking was more of an influence early in this one, some devastating counterattacks from the Moana backs had him second-guessing and it quickly became apparent that it was in the Crusdaers’ best interests to keep the ball out of Moana’s hands where posssible.
10. Richie Mo’unga – 7.5
Superb footwork on the counter-attack, beating three players and setting Codie Taylor up for the game’s opening try. Has proved his skill as a last line of defence numerous times this season and again made the try-saving tackles, impressively bringing down Timoci Tavatvanawai. With Moana in such fine form on the evening, the Crusaders were best to just weather the storm, slow the game down and win through more structured play. The elusive first five looked reluctant to give in to the slower-paced game when broken play was on offer but obliged in the second half and his tactical game came into its own.
11. Macca Springer – 8
Good defensive anticipation, disrupting multiple Moana attacks early. Didn’t find the ball for long stretches but his few chances to come into the game were positive.
12. Dallas McLeod – 7.5
Made a huge number of tackles, standing up to Moana’s physicality well. Found himself in a couple of awkward situations with ball in hand, with the potential to find himself isolated but kept his feet and ran well.
13. Jack Goodhue – N/A
Off early with failed HIA.
14. Will Gualter – 6
Did admirably in the nightmare-inducing task of tackling Timoci Tavatavanawai. Caught out by Moana’s move off the lineout and was dropped by a rampaging Levi Aumua. Made a couple of good runs, showing good attacking instincts.
15. Fergus Burke – 7.5
Defused a few awkward situations that came his way, and showed nice footwork and tactical kicking. It’s a shame Burke doesn’t possess the pace to make the most of his running lines and attacking reads.
Replacements:
16. Brodie McAlister – 7
17. Finlay Brewis – 6
18. Seb Calder – 6
19. Jamie Hannah – 6
20. Tom Christie – 7.5
Came on and brought the intensity on the defensive end. Looked more comfortable and composed with ball in hand. Looks like he is still sporting traces of the gnarly black eye he received weeks ago against the Blues.
21. Willi Heinz – 7
22. David Havili – 6.5
Came on early for the injured Jack Goodhue and provided some nice touches but ultimately his team needed more out of his game management skills. Slipped off a few tackles when he should be setting the tone for his young backline in that area.
23. Melani Nanai – 8
Nanai’s first touch back in Super Rugby was a hit up straight at Timoci Tavatavanawai, which went about as well as could be expected. The following touches displayed some silky skills and a beautiful offload to set up his side’s game-sealing try.
Comments on RugbyPass
I 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.
2 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 commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to comments