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Fans call for Richie Mo'unga to start at 10 for All Blacks following masterclass performance against Bulls
Crusaders first-five Richie Mo’unga has sent fans into raptures on social media with a sensational outing during his side’s 45-13 thrashing of the Bulls in Pretoria on Friday.
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Mo’unga was again in sublime form for the reigning back-to-back Super Rugby champions, scoring two tries, assisting a third, running for 98 metres and beating four defenders from two clean breaks, and converting five from six kicks at goal.
His running game was a particular highlight, with the second of his two tries coming from a clean break after a taking the ball to the line and fooling the opposition defence with a dummy on the Bulls’ 10 metre mark.
A wicked step past the flailing defensive effort of Cornal Hendricks on the 22 metre mark was enough to see him score under the posts, despite a late tackle attempt from Divan Rossouw.
Mo’unga’s kicking ability was also lauded by fans online, with the 24-year-old completing two pinpoint cross kicks in consecutive phases to assist the third of Sevu Reece’s tries.
So good was his form in his side’s win that many took to Twitter to express their admiration for the nine-test All Black’s performance, with some suggesting that he deserves the starting first-five jersey over the incumbent and two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett.
#BulvCru Richie Mo'unga emphasizing his quality as the best first five eighth/flyhalf in the world with an excellent performance against the Bulls.
— steve (@honesttruth08) May 10, 2019
Richie Mo’unga has the ball on a god damn string! Are you kidding me with those two cross field kicks???? How is this guy not your ABs starting 10 at this stage. Especially with the outside backs equation, surely BB goes to fullback. #BULvCRU
— Louis Herman-Watt (@LouisHWatt) May 10, 2019
Richie Mo'unga is brilliant. There's no arguing against that fact. #BULvCRU
— Emily (@TheEmilyM) May 10, 2019
The coach should send Pollard a notebook and a pen in case he forgets all the lessons his getting from Richie Mo'unga…Crusaders can invoice after the game. #ssrugby #BullsFamily#BULvCRU
— Amos (@amos_boltman) May 10, 2019
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Honestly, the Crusaders with Richie Mo'unga. ? #BULvCRU #SuperRugby
— alex (@popcorntrolley) May 10, 2019
Mo’unga wasn’t the only player that impressed onlookers from that clash, with hat-trick hero Reece enhancing his credentials as a potential bolter in the All Blacks‘ World Cup squad with another standout display on the right wing.
The 22-year-old’s three tries means his personal tally of tries this season stands at nine, elevating him to second in this season’s Super Rugby try-scoring charts, trailing only Brumbies hooker Folau Fainga’a, who has 10.
How about Richie Mo'unga directing the whole game! 2 genius cross kicks & that man Sevu Reece again!!! @crusadersrugby #BULvCRU @SuperRugbyNZ
— Stephan (@mossie90) May 10, 2019
Sevu Reece is the best Winger in the Super Rugby right now #BULvCRU
— Qlemy Makanya (@NjaNja_herdboy) May 10, 2019
I’ll keep bragging up SEVU REECE… 3 tries away from home, he just keeps on scoring!!! He must be on that plane to @rugbyworldcup he has that WOW factor @AllBlacks #BULvCRU
— Christopher Logan (@CLCourtney82) May 10, 2019
Sevu Reece what a lad!!! #BULvCRU
— Just Add Water (@KoppeStamp06) May 10, 2019
So people talk up Ben Lam as if he should be an All Black. Sorry Canes fans, George Bridge and Sevu Reece just showed him who's boss. #BULvCRU
— Jabba The Huttz (@jabba_the_hutts) May 10, 2019
The victory keeps the Crusaders at the summit of the Super Rugby standings with 47 points from 12 matches, seven points clear of the next closest team, the Hurricanes.
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Meanwhile, the Bulls remain at the top of the South African conference and sit in third spot on the overall table with 28 points, but could be overtaken by the Sharks and/or Jaguares in their conference should either or both sides secure victory this weekend.
The Short Ball:
Comments on RugbyPass
A 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?
11 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.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 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.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments