Hurricanes player ratings vs Crusaders
The Hurricanes have created history and kept their title hopes alive, defeating the Crusaders 34-32 in an all-time Super Rugby Aotearoa classic. There was plenty of passion from the opening minute shown by the visitors, with a fast and aggressive line speed showing their intent.
The Hurricanes were dominated in the first half by the Crusaders scrum, but managed to lead at the half-time break courtesy of a Wes Goosen double. Despite the Crusaders bringing the scores to within one soon after the break, the Hurricanes survived a late scare to hold their lead for the entire second half.
Peter Umaga-Jensen’s try with 20 minutes to play was arguably the match’s decisive moment in what was a man-of-the-match display from the outside centre.
Victory meant that the Hurricanes ended the Crusaders’ 36-match winning run at home in Christchurch, while also sending off 50-gamer Ben Lam in the best way possible.
All players had to be near their best for the Canes to have had any chance of winning. Here is how RugbyPass rated their efforts:
1. Fraser Armstrong – 6/10
Didn’t get a chance to make an impact. Subbed off injured in the 16th minute.
2. Asafo Aumua – 8
Showed plenty of potential when he broke onto the New Zealand rugby scene a few years ago, but this might just have been the coming of age for the hooker. The 23-year-old was nearly perfect at the lineout and did plenty of damage with ball-in-hand and around the breakdown. If he can develop some consistency, the sky is the limit.
3. Ben May – 6.5
Had three carries for no metres gained and made three tackles in an otherwise uneventful night. The Crusaders dominated the Hurricanes scrum for most of the match, which made it tough for the experienced prop to impress.
4. James Blackwell – 7.5
Impressed with his work rate once again. Had the second most carries of any Hurricanes forward with seven and made nine tackles. Also put his body on the line around the breakdown, doing what his team needed him to do.
5. Scott Scrafton – 8
Was once again immense, putting his head in some dark places to secure the ball for his side. He also pressured the Crusaders lineout all night in what was another great display.
Half decent game that was! #SuperRugbyAotearoa pic.twitter.com/G1viGdI6P1
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 25, 2020
6. Reed Prinsep – 7
A relatively quiet night as he wasn’t able to make his mark in attack or defence. Did enough around the breakdown, though.
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi – 7.5
Showed once again why he is one of the most exciting up-and-comers in New Zealand rugby. The 23-year-old made 13 tackles and carried well when he got his chance.
8. Ardie Savea – 8
One of the standouts. Was powerful when he carried and had an abundance of energy that allowed him to make an impact in defence and around the breakdown. Was simply destructive every time he got his hands on the ball.
Ardie says NO!#CRUvHUR pic.twitter.com/Zd55rGIzWl
— Super Rugby NZ (@SuperRugbyNZ) July 25, 2020
9. TJ Perenara – 7.5
Controlled the tempo of the Hurricanes attack well. Stepped up as a leader when his side needed him to, mainly with the boot.
10. Jackson Garden-Bachop – 7
Did what his team needed him to do: nothing too flash, nothing pointless. Showed glimpses of some special pieces of skill, including a kick in behind the Crusaders defensive line that was unfortunately called back.
11. Ben Lam – 7
In his 50th and final match for the Hurricanes, he struggled to get into the match. The ball didn’t really come his way in the first half but he stepped up his physicality in the second, mainly in defence. The winger sent George Bridge flying in the 57th minute with a big hit. Made eleven tackles in a performance largely dictated by his defence.
12. Ngani Laumape – 7.5
Showed everyone once again how dangerous he is with ball in hand, carrying defenders with him every time he ran the ball. His night was cut short due to injury, subbed off in the 53rd minute.
13. Peter Umaga-Jensen – 8.5
A man-of-the-match display. Again stood out with his sharp, brave and direct style of running that proved hard to contain. Ran a brilliant line off a Laumape pass to break through the Crusaders defence before setting up Goosen in the corner for the Hurricanes first try of the match. Was rewarded for an impressive night in attack and defence with a five-pointer of his own, scoring a pivotal try with under 20 minutes to play. He took on three defenders before wrestling his way to the chalk.
Wes Goosen bagged a double in the first half! This was his second, very nice.#CRUvHUR pic.twitter.com/OPHLSgFPRl
— Super Rugby NZ (@SuperRugbyNZ) July 25, 2020
14. Wes Goosen – 8
Was relatively quiet until Umaga-Jensen set him up for a try in the corner, running in unmarked for his first of the night. Had a lot more work to do to score his second, splitting two defenders to run in from 22 metres out. Topped the Hurricanes charts for metres run with 59. Also did his job in defence.
15. Jordie Barrett – 7.5
Was arguably the reason the visitors won. His kicking display not only kept the Hurricanes in it when they trailed, but his precision from the kicking tee was vital in extending their lead in one of the toughest places to win in the world. It was mixed night for him in the field of play, though, with a lot of aimless kicking that didn’t result in any gain. Still, secured a match-winning turnover inside the final minute.
Replacements:
16. Ricky Riccitelli – 5.5
17. Tevita Mafileo – 7
Came on a lot earlier than what he would have expected, but held his own. Made a team high 16 tackles in a confidence-building display by the 22-year-old.
18. Alex Fidow – 6.5
High work rate, doing enough in both attack and defence.
19. Liam Mitchell – 5.5
20. Devan Flanders – 5.5
21. Jamie Booth – 5.5
22. Vince Aso – 6
Not a bad replacement for Laumape.
23. Chase Tiatia – 5.5
Are you not entertained?!
What a win to take us into the bye week! Thanks for having us @crusadersrugby
#CRUvHUR @natstorage pic.twitter.com/mrm0DZNgwK
— Hurricanes Rugby (@Hurricanesrugby) July 25, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
Like tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
14 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
13 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
4 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
4 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
26 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
14 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
26 Go to commentsThis 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….
14 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….
84 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!
4 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
14 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
13 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.
14 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.
14 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
14 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 comments