Super Rugby Aotearoa: Crusaders player ratings vs Blues
Round 5 of Super Rugby Aotearoa opened this weekend with the most anticipated match of the competition thus far. The might and experience of the Crusaders hosting the resurgent Blues, who have emerged as genuine contenders for the title in 2020.
Both sides went into the match unbeaten and even before the opening whistle, the fibres and essence of this match promised to deliver some quality rugby and extreme intensity, as these clashes historically have meant so much.
The game lived up to its billing and whilst the Blues won plenty of respect, they were ultimately ground down by the Crusaders machine with the hosts taking the honours 26-15.
How did the Crusaders rate?
1. Joe Moody – 7/10
Used all his experience, toughness and guile to obtain dominance up front but it was hard-fought. Guilty of the odd penalty but worked himself hard in defence and contributed to his sides win.
2. Codie Taylor – 7.5
Had several uncharacteristic mistakes in the lineout that put pressure on his side, yet he led his forwards directly at the collision. A warrior in defence tonight, as usual.
3. Michael Alaalatoa – 6
Played tough but with not as great an impact as he has had in previous rounds. Didn’t quite find his rhythm in possession and did not feature as prominently in defence as he has in previous weeks. Still a very credible performance by ‘Big Mike’.
4. Samuel Whitelock – 7.5
Was a workhorse in defence and secured his side a vital turnover when the Blues were deep on the attack. An intelligent, calming performance that was required when the pressure was on. The big man assisted skipper Taylor in guiding his side home to victory.
5. Mitchell Dunshea – 6.5
Had some quality moments without being spectacular. A percentage performance where he did what was required and didn’t put his side under pressure despite dropping off the odd tackle. Progressing nicely.
6. Tom Sanders – 7
Another quality performance by the Colonel. A wall in defence with few opportunities in attack. Looked to be physical without being uncontrolled. A good night out.
7. Tom Christie – 7
Showed he has a set of hands and impressed with his passing game coupled with his bread and butter work as an open side flanker. Worked well over the ball, securing a turnover, and made his tackles. A mature performance from still such a young player.
8. Whetukamokamo Douglas – 7
Tough opponent in Hoskins Sotutu but handled himself well. Whilst not as damaging in attack, put in a quality shift in defence and in tight which was exactly what his team needed on the night.
Has Richie Mo'unga cemented his spot in the #AllBlacks 10 jersey with this showing? #SuperRugbyAotearoa #CRUvBLU https://t.co/VRNtYD2Qaf
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 11, 2020
9. Bryn Hall – 6.5
Bit of a mixed bag as he didn’t really have much of a running game tonight and his kicking game wasn’t always on, but he chased one of his own poor box kicks and regathered to his credit. By no means a bad night out but, if anything, a wee but quiet with the ball in hand.
10. Richie Mo’unga – 8
Made some mistakes – like kicking the ball dead off an offensive penalty – but, by-and-large, had a very good night out. Saved a certain Hoskins Sotutu try by somehow getting his hand under the ball after a driving play off a dominant Blues scrum. He generally kicked well, choose the right option and his delayed pass to put George Bridge into space that led to the Mitch Drummond try was all class. What about that kick-off?
11. George Bridge – 7.5
Just a low mistake, high-quality rugby player who worked hard for his team. Despite missing an early tackle, to which he made amends for a short time later with a probable try saver, Bridge did his job tonight and did it well.
12. Jack Goodhue – 7.5
A few early mistakes but settled into his work with all of his usual abrasiveness. Dropped off the odd tackle but worked well with Tom Christie around the breakdown and secured a turnover. Whilst not making big meters with the ball, he was the dominant second five on the park.
13. Braydon Ennor – 7
Another no-nonsense performer who didn’t let his side down. Despite dropping off a tackle he made several important ones. His effort to charge down a Blues conversion attempt illustrated his dedication and attitude at the business end of the match which was, no doubt, inspirational.
14. Sevu Reece – 6.5
A little bit quiet tonight and got caught rushing up in defence too hard several times which put his side under pressure. Missed a few tackles but made up for it by looking for work and making some hard yards off the breakdown. Not his best night out.
15. David Havili – 6
Had a poor night in defence but made up for that with some elegant involvements in possession.
Replacements:
16. Andrew Makalio – 5
On in the 67th minute. Did his job.
17. George Bower – N/A
18. Oliver Jager – 5
19. Quinten Strange – 6
On in the 63rd minute and looked to impose himself. Made his tackles.
20. Sione Havili – 5.5
On in the 63rd minute and was guilty of taking on the Blues line one out on the pick and drive and got drilled, costing his side some momentum.
21. Mitchell Drummond – 6.5
Finished off a wonderful team and try and generally looked sharp.
22. Fetuli Paea – N/A
23. Will Jordan – 7
On in the 53rd minute and scored the try that put this match to bed in the 75th by running an educated angle in support. Will be pushing for a start next week but did the finishers job nicely tonight.
Comments on RugbyPass
Brayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to comments