Super Rugby Aotearoa: Crusaders player ratings vs Highlanders
It was an all-South Island affair for the opening match of round 4 of Super Rugby Aotearoa when the Crusaders made the trip south to Dunedin to take on the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Coming off the back of last weeks hard-fought victory over the Chiefs, the Crusaders were primed to continue their recent dominance over their southern neighbours.
Scott Robertson made a number of changes to his matchday 23 in both the pack and backline. In the backrow Sione Havili came in for Cullen Grace who was deserving of a rest after his epic contribution against the Chiefs in round 3. Havili was joined by Tom Christie who is working towards becoming the 4th All Black produced by Shirley Boys High School.
In the backline, Leicester Fainga’anuku came in for George Bridge with All Black David Havili returning to the fullback role. Fellow All Black Sevu Reece moved to the bench to make way for the impressive Will Jordan on the right wing and Mitch Drummond was in at halfback for Bryn Hall.
The match ended up being one for the ages. It was tough, skilful and exactly the type of game rugby needs to produce more consistently. Despite the Highlanders giving the Crusaders a scare, the class of the Crusaders shone through and they took South Island honours 40-20.
So how did the Crusaders rate?
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1. Joe Moody – 7/10
Another damaging performance in the scrum and worked hard in the tight. Looked to impose himself in possession more so than last week. Came off the line well and had a reasonable night in defence. However, as the match went on was guilty of multiple infringements which is not the standard an All Black of his standing should be making in such a struggle.
2. Codie Taylor – 8
After a near faultless performance last week in the lineout in the elements, struggled somewhat with his timings early on. Despite those issues, Taylor applied himself to the task of breaking down the Highlanders and lead the way through the middle and was looking for opportunities at width and showed a clean chase to nearly score off a Will Jordan kick. Worked hard over the ball and as a support player.
3. Michael Alaalatoa – 7.5
Exceptionally strong in the scrum and gave Daniel Leinert-Brown a torrid time of it. Worked hard in defence and, despite falling off the odd tackle, was generally solid. Was stripped by Shannon Frizzell with a loose carry but his stocks continue to rise as a quality tighthead.
4. Samuel Whitelock – 7
Brought all his experience and work ethic when his side was under pressure. Simple forward play executed well. Was in the thick of it.
5. Mitchell Dunshea – 6.5
Worked hard in the tight but didn’t have the greatest night in defence. Enjoyed the intent he wanted to play with and popped up in places one might not expect. A fair effort in a tough, tough match.
6. Sione Havili – 6.5
Didn’t disappoint in defence but wasn’t a factor in attack. Probably due to the fact he was operating in tight as the match required of him. A credible night out.
7. Tom Christie – 8
Has future All Black written all over him. In attack, he worked the wide left channel and was rewarded with two tries for his efforts. Defended tirelessly and worked well over the ball. If there were a criticism it’s that he can tend to be isolated at times in possession but had the class to prevent any turnover.
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8. Whetukamokamo Douglas – 8
Tough all night. It is a tough act to follow Keiran Read but Douglas is bringing his own style and operating closer in and proving to be quite a handful. Was dominant at the back of the line out, stealing one off the Highlanders. Quality performance.
9. Mitchell Drummond – 7
Had a wonderful passing game, but tended to miss gaps close to the breakdown when he darted too laterally. Missed the odd tackle but generally gave All Black Aaron Smith a genuine contest which is no easy thing. Would be good to see him back himself with the ball in hand more often.
10. Richie Mo’unga – 8.5
Another class performance by the All Black flyhalf. He didn’t always make the right choice in attack, but he found a way to get his side through the blitz defence of the Highlanders. On defence, he made a try-saving tackle on his own line to prevent a certain Highlanders score and was also the first man into the clean-out when required. Quality shift.
11. Leicester Faingaanuku – 7.5
Started poorly but it didn’t bother him. Showed impressive mentality to get into the game and wanted to compete in everything and did so with a wonderful chase game, but also came off his wing looking for work not far off the ruck. The Crusaders are developing yet another quality outside back.
12. Jack Goodhue – 8.5
Goes from strength to strength. He played something like an open side flanker-centre hybrid. The most valuable Crusader on the park as he is the mortar for so many of the bricks the Crusaders put down.
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13. Braydon Ennor – 7
Did his job and did it well. He looked for more work this week and ran a great inverted angle off Tom Sanders that nearly lead to a try. A big performance from him is not far off – all the signs are there.
14. Will Jordan – 9
The most exciting outside back in the competition. He played without fear and restriction and backed himself and was simply a handful for the opposition. This type of performance, built on what he brought last year, is the type of rugby that brings people to the game simply to watch him play. Will demand All Black squad selection.
15. David Havili – 6.5
Had a fair game and some deft touches but sadly left the field with injury.
Replacements:
16. Andrew Makalio – N/A
17. George Bower – 5
Did his bit and maintained the pressure.
18. Oliver Jager – 7
Brought some energy and has some game about him. Who was the last Irishman to make an All Black squad?
19. Quinten Strange – 5
Did his bit in his first Super Rugby match of the year.
20. Tom Sanders – 7.5
The Colonel brought big energy in both attack and defence and would not be surprised if he got a start next week.
21. Ereatara Enari- N/A
22. Fetuli Paea – 5.5
Made his Super Rugby Debut and looks like he has some game about him, but had limited opportunity.
23. Sevu Reece – 8
Brilliant. Scored a wonderful try down the right flank and brought all the energy required at a time when the match was in the balance.
Comments on RugbyPass
Except for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
33 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
33 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
33 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
33 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
33 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
33 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
33 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to comments