Crusaders player ratings vs Rebels | Super Rugby Trans-Tasman
The Crusaders were laid down a challenge after the Highlanders’ victory in Canberra, beat the Rebels by 33 points with a bonus point and guarantee your place in next week’s Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final.
The Aotearoa champions spelt out their intentions by scoring four tries in the first half-hour, things went a little dry after that with some critical errors and as the clock ran down it meant the substitutes had some work to do in the last quarter. Ultimately it was a bridge too far for them to control their own destiny, a 52-26 victory but having to wait for the Blues performance to finally know their season is over.
Here’s how the Crusaders rated:
1. George Bower – 5.5
Looked pretty anxious after a week off and watching Tamaiti Williams make a statement on the paddock against the Force. At 7 minutes, he bested Eloff for a scrum penalty but from there on it was back and forth penalties in the first half on the tv camera side of the scrum. Joe Powell ran around him for a try in the 35th minute to close it up before halftime. Off at 58 and back shortly after with Williams taking a knock.
2. Brodie McAlister – 6
With Codie Taylor having a break back in Christchurch, McAlister came back from concussion and looked solid at set piece; especially at lineout. A little blemish with dropping a ball cold at 9 minutes. Off at 56.
3. Michael Alalatoa – 6.5
Might be his last game for the Crusaders. Good tackle count with 15 but never gained scrum ascendancy. Off at 56.
4. Scott Barrett – 7
Captain Fantastic set the tone from the first minute with a sturdy charge down that led to a 3 minute attack from the first whistle. Marmalised the upright-running Hosea at 11 minutes, a big bust in the 22nd minute that led to Reece’s try.
5. Sam Whitelock – 7
A week off last week and the edge was back with a man who sets and demands high standards, right from the first line out he was on point and a real leader in the Crusaders. 16 tackles and the look on his face at the end of the match said it all.
6. Ethan Blackadder – 8
Back fresh from being named ‘Champion Crusader of the Year’ and head knock R&R. Big tackles early, got tickled up by Gordon under the ribs at one stage. A mind-boggling 23 tackles, 45 metres off 9 carries. He’s certainly a guy you’d love on your team.
7. Sione Havili Talitui – 5.5
Openside has been a weakness since Christie was struck down. Havili Talitui is a good player with a high work rate but is not a genuine 7. Off at 56.
They've got the win – but it likely won't be enough for the Crusaders. #SuperRugbyTT #REBvCRUhttps://t.co/uWulREUpM5
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 12, 2021
8. Whetukamokamo Douglas – 7
With Cullen Grace out, Douglas got an outing in his preferred number 8 position and performed excitingly. 44 metres off 6 solid carries.
9. Mitchell Drummond – 6
The competition for the starting role in a potential final next week sparked Mitchell Drummond into motion with a busy effort. Off at 56.
10. Richie Mo’unga – 7
The Crusaders Player of the Year certainly had his dancing shoes on from the first minute. Aussie teams still aren’t able to stop him from running out the back of a forward pod and he had a field day setting up Jordan in the 4th minute for a try. He was back in action in the 22nd, with a couple of beautiful touches leading up to Reece’s try. 76 metres off seven carries. Blotted his copybook with a punt to the deadball zone at 50 minutes, at 76 minutes he booted away possession after a turnover and then was offside a moment later to give the Rebels the ball back to finish the game.
11. Leicester Fainga’anuku – 7
Deathly quiet in the first 15 minutes but once he moved to the midfield we saw him bust the line and very shortly after popped up on the left fringe to finish the Crusaders’ third try. Certainly inserted himself into attacks from there. In terms of form, he’s usurped Rieko Ioane as a wing/centre option.
12. Dallas McLeod – N/A
Called in an hour or two before kick-off after David Havili cried off, and only lasted a quarter an hour himself before catching Lomani’s hip and being escorted off.
13. Braydon Ennor – 5
An embarrassing moment just before halftime with the line in sight and the ball just popping out of his grasp with no pressure on him. It would have turned 26-12 into 33-12 so it slowed the Crusaders down a little. Redeemed himself slightly with a well-taken line bust and try at the end.
14. Sevu Reece – 7.5
The little man had a field day in the try-scoring stakes with a hat trick of tries at 22, 46 and 58 minutes. There is an element of showmanship with Reece, his 30th minute run into Worth and trying to milk the penalty is not the first time he’s done that and reminds me of a Latin soccer striker.
15. Will Jordan – 7
Cracked a ton of metres easily (192 m) and used his blinding speed and swerve to make Worth look pretty silly in the 5th minute for a touchdown. Went for an intercept in the 26th minute but a knock forward to deny Koroibeite a try saw him yellow-carded. His spilt pass that led to the Lomani try put pressure on his team and then a knock on with a chance to score at 66 showed he’s human, but only just!
A fittingly storming display from the Hurricanes No 12 to call time on his career in New Zealand ? #SuperRugbyTT #HURvREDhttps://t.co/mpmJ49s2y9
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 12, 2021
Reserves:
16. Nathan Vella – 6
On at 56. Looked up to add some oomph in his team’s climb to the summit
17. Tamaiti Williams – N/A
On at 58. Not for long.
18. Oliver Jager – 6.5
On at 56 and ploughed through at 66 metres for a timely try.
19. Mitchell Dunshea – 6
On at 66, took a crucial line out steal at 72 minutes that led to Ennor try.
20. Tom Sanders – 6
On at 56. Game and physical.
21. Bryn Hall – 6
On at 56. Certainly raised the tempo as the champs chased the game. Poor ending with a yellow though with 2 minutes to go.
22. Fergus Burke – N/A
Didn’t take the field.
23. Manasa Mataele – 6
On at 16, and set up a great try down the left for Fainga’anuku. Looks back in some form.
Comments on RugbyPass
End to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
7 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
8 Go to comments