Crusaders vs Reds takes: Australia's version of Retallick, All Black bolter emerges

The Crusaders took control of the match in 6th minute with a try to Cullen Grace and never looked back, putting the Reds to the sword by 43-19.

First half doubles to Sevu Reece and Will Jordan added misery for the Reds, who came into the game as one of Super Rugby’s best sides.

The win by the Crusaders prevented a winless weekend for New Zealand sides and propelled them into the top four along with the Highlanders.

Here are four takes following the Crusaders-Reds clash in Christchurch.

Reds are not the best team in SRP

Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar boldly said his side will face the ‘best team in the comp’ when they play the Reds next week.

Heading into this game the Reds were the best attacking team averaging 42 points (1st), six tries per game (1st), 11.5 offloads per game (1st), and even on defence, 1st in tackle percentage.

Well, McKellar’s been proven wrong or he just made a genius play to add pressure on his rivals, who have crumbled.

Maybe if the Reds had all their players available they could lay claim to the best title, but the team that got towelled up by the Crusaders is certainly not the best in the competition.

The Reds scrum melted faster than an ice block in the summer sun, the All Black front row of Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell had them under the pump early. The defence basically put up the white flag, with Fraser McReight offering some resistance. They bumbled the ball when on attack in Crusaders 22 in the first half and made rookie errors by kicking out on the full after taking the ball back inside their 22.

The game was over by half-time with two tries to Will Jordan killing off the contest by the 40th minute mark at 29-7. The high flying Reds crashed back to Earth in Christchurch.

Kyle Preston – All Black bolter?

The Crusaders halfback controlled the attack with the experience of a veteran. He directed troops for a high phase count for the first try to Cullen Grace, before demonstrating his ball playing on the second by putting Will Jordan in the gap from the scrum. He showed an accurate box kick which troubled Reds fullback Heremaia Murray at times. His four tries this season, three on debut against the Hurricanes, showed his inside support running.

With Cortez Ratima and Cam Roigard likely to be two of the All Black halfbacks, Preston is laying a strong case to be that third option.

With Finlay Christie out of form with the Blues, and Perenara out of the picture, Preston looks like a genuine All Black No.9 right now.

Josh Canham could play the Lions

The towering Reds lock looked like the Australian version of Brodie Retallick when he galloped downfield for a huge line break midway through the first half which led to Daugunu’s try. The big man showed some athleticism that is rare for locks, particularly someone who is 6 ft 8 and 119kg. The ex-Rebel looks like a blindside who plays lock.

On a bad day for the Reds, he had 18 tackles on defence, missing one. He’s a solid lineout option average over six takes per 80 mins and finished with seven today. He had 11 carries too with good touch on the tip pass. He was credited with four offloads against the Crusaders.

He made his Wallabies debut in Santa Fe as they earnt a hard fought win in Argentina over Los Pumas last year and has just one cap, but he could prove to be a bolter for the Lions series.

Sevu Reece showing world class form

Easily the Crusaders best player last year in Super Rugby Pacific, Reece continued his form with two tries against the Reds, bringing up his 60th career Super try in the process. He’s now third equal all-time drawing level with Israel Folau and has TJ Perenara’s record in sight.

The 28-year-old is going to be under pressure to retain his All Black jumper this year but he is putting up some fine numbers. He’s ranked first in the competition for offloads, averaging 3.5 per game, fourth for defenders beaten, and second for metres per game with 148.8. Along with Will Jordan, Reece powers the Crusaders’ attack.

Against the Reds he showed he’s still a lethal finisher adding to his two try assists this season with two of his own.

Reece is simply a difference maker and can’t be ignored by the All Blacks selectors based on his form right now.