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Super Rugby Aotearoa: Crusaders player ratings vs Hurricanes
The Crusaders have begun Super Rugby Aotearoa from where they left off earlier in the year and it was the typical standouts who had strong games once again after a few months with no play.
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In the end, the Crusaders cruised to their 39-25 victory and survived a charging Hurricanes, managing to get control of their discipline in a highly penalized game.
Particular standouts were Bryn Hall, Sevu Reece, Richie Mo’unga and the front row trio. Here are the player ratings for the Crusaders as scored by RugbyPass.
1. Joe Moody – 6/10
Combining well with Alaalatoa, Moody was as effective at cleaning out opposition forwards at the breakdown to stop the Hurricanes having any chance of turning over.
2. Codie Taylor – 4
Some good throws at the lineout and a typically solid performance in most aspects. Also his first time captaining the Crusaders – probably needed to rein his team in earlier to keep the penalty count down.
3. Michael Alaalatoa – 7
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A menace for the Hurricanes at the breakdown, Alaalatoa worked well alongside his propping partner to get good results for the Crusaders with ball in hand. Dicey scrum at the start but made up for it with a couple of savage efforts later in the game.
4. Sam Whitelock – 4
Some good carries but also a few mistakes by the veteran, good to see him back on the park nonetheless.
5. Mitchell Dunshea – 4
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Like his locking partner, fairly quiet around the park. Dunshea has been reliable, if not a stand-out, in his performances in 2020 – but may struggle for game-time when all the Crusaders locks are fit and available, just based on this performance.
6. Cullen Grace – 7
Another tidy showing from the young man. Topped the Crusaders tackle charts and threw a nice pass for the first try of the match. Also called upon to make the most carries of any Crusaders forward.
7. Billy Harmon – 6
Something of an unsung hero for the Crusaders forwards on many occasions, Harmon was noticbly busy on defence, getting involved and making good tackles often in combination with teammates.
8. Whetukamokamo Douglas – 5
Not the greatest impact on a game for Douglas and guilty of making some errors but managed a few takes at the lineout.
9. Bryn Hall – 8
Bryn Hall put in a masterful performance, particularly in the opening stanza, helping the Crusaders quickly recycle attacking ball from the breakdown.
In tune with Mo’unga from the very start, Hall’s perfectly weighted chip kick to setup Brayden Ennor for a try in the corner also shows his ability to spot holes and adapt rather than pass on during set play. There is no doubt that the 28-year old has established himself as one of the top halfbacks in the country.
The reigning Super Rugby champions have flexed on the Hurricanes in Wellington. #HURvCRU #SuperRugbyAotearoahttps://t.co/f7SqSPXw3a
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 21, 2020
10. Richie Mo’unga – 7
Kicking the goals that mattered, Mo’unga was a nightmare for the Hurricanes defenders and operated the Crusaders backline with ease compared to his opposite. Hasn’t missed a beat in the period with rugby.
11. George Bridge – 6
Another solid performance. If the ball had bounced a bit differently, Bridge could have had a brace of tries. Outshone by his partner on the other wing.
12. Jack Goodhue – 5
Leaving the field after being awarded a yellow card, Goodhue had some time to think about what was a quiet game by his standards. A core issue for the Crusaders in this game had been penalties. After a warning, Goodhue just happened to be the man to see yellow after making the decisive infringement. Penalised three times – not good enough from one of the team’s leaders.
13. Braydon Ennor – 7
Ennor only went for one half today, clearly a pre-match directive, but his impact on the game was as sizeable as ever. Pace, power, and solid work on defence made for another impressive performance by one of the best backs in the country.
Outrageous handling from the Crusaders here. Like they'd not had any time off at all! #SuperRugbyAotearoa #HURvCRUhttps://t.co/7lfCSSMHDE
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 21, 2020
14. Sevu Reece – 8
Reece obviously had a desire to run more than usual today. With his sleekish ability and top notch footwork, Reece was a menace again and had already crossed the line for yet another try within the first minute.
15. Will Jordan – 7
Getting himself involved, Jordan’s pace and ability to keep defenders made for impressive runs more often than not with ball in hand. Clocked up almost 100-metres with ball in hand. Nice to see him back in the fullback jersey.
Reserves:
16. Brodie McAlister – N/A
17. George Bower – 6
18. Oliver Jager – 5
19. Luke Romano – N/A
20. Ethan Blackadder – 6
Earned one nice penalty.
21. Mitchell Drummond – 6
Maintained the pace set by Hall.
22. David Havili – 5
Looked a bit frantic at times – probably just pumped to be out on the park after a small injury break.
23. Leicester Faingaanuku – N/A
Comments on RugbyPass
“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.
22 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
3 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.
2 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…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 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)
3 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments