Hurricanes player ratings vs Crusaders | Super Rugby Aotearoa
The Hurricanes travelled to the champions’ lair for their second game of the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa season. Of course, they tasted success last year against the Crusaders at the venue, so they would’ve felt some confidence.
They certainly looked sure of themselves after leading 6-0 at the end of the first quarter. Then the wheels fell off after Ardie Savea received a yellow card and the Crusaders piled on the points for a 20-point half time lead. The Canes fought gainfully in the second half but the damage had been done. Final score? 33-16 to the Crusaders.
Here’s how the Hurricanes rated.
1. Fraser Armstrong – 4/10
Not an inspiring outing from the Hurricanes prop. Had a perplexed look waiting for another scrum as Codie Taylor quick tapped and crossed for the first Crusaders try. Poor read in defence 6 minutes later led to Mo’unga’s try. Conceded another free kick in the 45th minute at a scrum just before he was subbed out.
2. Asafo Aumua – 6
Fancied his chances in the wide channels but was well looked after by the champion’s defence. Big tackle count and got back really well on cover defence a couple of times but was outplayed by the sensational Codie Taylor. Hopefully it’s just a stinger after going off injured in the 44th.
3. Tyrel Lomax – 6
Looked up for work early on with some big runs and hits in the first minutes. Solid in the scrum against Joe Moody. Dropped a ball at the 53rd minute. Off at 66.
4. James Blackwell – 6.5
They could make an action figure out of this guy. Carries, tackles and good in the contact. Solid at the lineout although a couple of sloppy deliveries early.
5. Isaia Walker-Leawere – 6
A big assignment against two All Black locks but he didn’t look out of place. Good lineout work and got around the paddock. Loves the smash and bash of contact. At the 17th minute, managed a cheeky test of Mo’unga’s knee after missing a charge down. Off at 73.
6. Reed Prinsep – 4
It’s never easy being a 6 against a physically dominant tight 5 but you’d expect more from a senior player. Committed the penalty that led to the rolling maul that eventuated in the Codie Taylor try. Didn’t react at all to that quick tap. Didn’t adjust in defence when Codie Taylor took advantage of a huge gap for the Mo’unga try. Penalty conceded for line out contact in the air. At 46 minutes he couldn’t take the lineout ball that allowed Taylor his second try. His best period was with ball in hand from 50 minutes on. Off at 64.
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi – 7
No doubting his determination and he was disciplined this week which makes him such a much more valuable player. A lineout take at the 24th minute. Led the comeback with a match-high tackle count, bone-jarring hits and a turnover in the second half.
A 33-point blitz has left the Crusaders undefeated and the Hurricanes licking their wounds heading into the bye-week. #CRUvHUR #SuperRugbyAotearoahttps://t.co/IaQjJFznsJ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 7, 2021
8. Ardie Savea – 6
Showed why he’s one of the most dynamic loose forwards in the world with magnificent play in the 16th minute. A run through the middle of a breakdown and an amazing cross-kick. At the 19th minute saved a maul try but received a yellow card. It may have seemed like a good idea at the time but perhaps not after 21 points in the ten minutes he was off. Toiled in the second half but we haven’t seen the leg drive through tackles for a while.
9. Jonathan Taumateine – 5.5
Looks like a good prospect who gets around the field at speed. Good reflexes to snap up a loose ball in 6th minute. He posted a poor kick in the 16th minute that cost his team 80 metres but to be fair to him, he tracked back to get the Canes out of trouble. Ten good tackles in the first forty but off at halftime. If it’s another halfback injury, it’s a real blow.
10. Jackson Garden-Bachop – 5
Good exit and read at the back in the first minute. A poor pass into space by Goodhue in the 11th minute had the chance to show off his speed and probably surprised a few by getting his trotters pumping to almost get to the line but chased down while looking for support. Off at halftime.
11. Julian Savea – 6
The Crusaders showed no fear at taking on the big Canes ball carriers, perhaps Julian’s best play was in the air with some great catching skills with the first kick-off receipt and an awesome overhead catch in the backfield. Good skills in the air for the Umaga-Jensen try in the closing stages.
12. Ngani Laumape – 5.5
When Laumape is on his game he’s a match-winner. Jason Holland and his team will be searching for how to turn off the passive button. The dropped ball at 66 minutes seemed to bring out the Hulk in him and he ended the game well, top yards for his team but the game had been decided.
13. Peter Umaga-Jensen – 5.5
When you come in for a start in the second match of the season to show off your tackle busting ability, you’d be pulling your ponytail out if it took 62 minutes to get your hands on ball. Johnny on the spot after an attack for the final try at 78th minute.
14. Wes Goosen – 4.5
Goosen has made his name for his golden finishing in the last few years but he’s been lucky to finish his half time orange in the first two games of the year. Missed a tackle at 44 but has had his hands full against two strong running 11s in both games this year. Off at 57.
15. Jordie Barrett – 7.5
In the 5th minute showed, one of his greatest values, the long-range penalty. Aggressive in everything he does and brave like you’d have to be as a Barrett backyard veteran. The swooping dive on the 66th minute to save a try was typical Jordie stuff. He made the move to 10 in the 2nd half but struggled to distribute in tight spaces and time his passing.
Who were the best performers in the Crusaders' revenge mission in Christchurch on Sunday afternoon? ? #CRUvHUR #SuperRugbyAotearoa https://t.co/F36tgTVz5t
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 7, 2021
Reserves:
16. Ricky Riccitelli – 4.5
On at 44 and his first action was to overthrow to the line out and present the Crusaders with a perfect 2nd half start. Redeemed himself slightly by shooting off a maul to score but two more lineout errors
17. Xavier Numia – 6.5
On at 46 and looked perky. Scrummed well and some good runs. Worth a start next outing?
18. Tevita Mafileo – N/A
On at 66 and solid.
19. Liam Mitchell – N/A
On at 73rd.
20. Devan Flanders – 7
On at 64 and underlined his potential. A brilliant run in 75th minute where he wrestled his way through the Crusader’s wall. Surely worth another start?
21. Luke Campbell – 6
On at 40 and was solid.
22. Billy Proctor – 5
On at 40 and looked up for it. No real needle-moving moments though.
23. Salesi Rayasi – 7
On at 57 impressed straight away with some intent. However, it turned into a yo-yo outing for the talented wing with a couple of whoopsies. One thing you can’t deny is his pace and elusiveness. Surely worth a start.
Comments on RugbyPass
What a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
2 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
40 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
40 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
2 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
4 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
4 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to comments