Super Rugby Aotearoa - Crusaders players ratings vs Chiefs
Crusaders players ratings: The Crusaders resumed control of their Super Rugby Aotearoa title hopes for at least another week, defeating a valiant Chiefs side 32-19 in Hamilton. The loss extends the Chiefs unbeaten run in the competition so far.
After a tense opening forty-minutes, the Crusaders led by seven at the break with captain Codie Taylor crossing for a try courtesy of a powerful driving maul.
Even though the Chiefs brought the scores to as close as one-point after the break, 12 unanswered points in the final 20 minutes saw the Crusaders run away with a much-needed victory.
It was an uncharacteristically disappointing night off the tee for flyhalf Richie Mo’unga, but the set-piece of the Crusaders made sure that they didn’t pay for those missed points. Sam Whitelock was one of the standouts on Saturday night, celebrating his 150th Super Rugby match in style.
Here’s the RugbyPass Crusaders players ratings:
George Bower – 7/10
Bower replaced Joe Moody this week, and took his opportunity with both hands. The Crusaders had a dominant scrum throughout the match, but Bower made an impact elsewhere as well. He finished with eight tackles and seven carries. He didn’t look out of place.
Codie Taylor – 8.5/10
A true captain’s knock from the All Blacks hooker, who bounced back after an average showing last weekend against the Hurricanes. For a hooker, his performance was near perfect. Taylor was outstanding, finishing with a perfect night from the lineout. The 29-year-old showed great hands to set up Sanders for a break that led to the first try of the night, and later scored one of his own on the stroke of half-time.
Michael Alaalatoa – 6.5/10
The Crusaders scrum was dominant tonight and Alaalatoa was a big reason to why that was. He got busy around the park, getting involved mainly in attack. Shame to see him limp off the field with a knee injury less than ten minutes into the second half.
Sam Whitelock – 8.5/10
Was arguably the man-of-the-match in his 150th Super Rugby match, showcasing his elite work rate and leadership that has brought him so much praise over the years. The Crusaders had an excellent night from the set-piece, and Whitelock was a large contributor to that. He was the primary lineout option with five receptions, and pressured the Chiefs lineout too. The 31-year-old also finished with ten tackles. An incredible performance.
Mitch Dunshea – 7/10
After a slow start to the match, Dunshea’s work rate seemed to pick up in the ten minutes before the half-time break. Finished the match with a solid eight tackles.
Sione Havili – 6.5/10
A quiet night from Havili. He finished with eight carries, but couldn’t impact the match much.
Tom Christie – 7.5/10
Christie got busy tonight, doing a lot of work that probably went unnoticed. He finished with six carries, but also the most tackles of any Crusaders player with 14.
Tom Sanders – 7/10
Sanders scored the first try of the match, pinning the ears back on an impressive spurt down the left edge that saw him run over a courageous Damien McKenzie. Otherwise a quiet night, where he only stood out in moments.
Mitchell Drummond – 7/10
The Crusaders don’t lose anything whenever Drummond steps into the starting side. He controlled the tempo of the match well, but maybe wasn’t at his best.
Richie Mo’unga – 8/10
Every time Mo’unga ran the ball, he looked dangerous, constantly offering offloads that would’ve sent teammates into space. While he didn’t kick as well as what he would’ve liked, both off the tee and around the ground, he did more than enough to guide his side to a useful victory.
Try or no try? Not many agreed with referee Ben O'Keefe tonight. #CHIvCRU #SuperRugbyAotearoahttps://t.co/H5svtDxLD4
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 1, 2020
George Bridge – 8/10
George Bridge is all class and he showed that again tonight. While he didn’t cross over for a try, his work around the field was very impressive. He created the overlap that led to Tom Sander’s five-pointer, coming from deep and proving hard to read and then defend. He had another try assist seven minutes later, with a pass to Jordan sending him through a gap from only a few metres out. Did his job in defence as well, finishing with the most of any Crusaders back with nine. His positioning is superb; he never overplays his hand but does exactly what his team needs him to do.
Jack Goodhue – 6.5/10
Another frustrating match for Goodhue, who didn’t get a chance to run with the ball in space. Made seven tackles, but was otherwise quiet.
Fetuli Paea – 7.5/10
You simply can’t fault Paea’s effort tonight, getting very busy in his 50 minutes on the field. When he went off, he had the most carries of any player with 10, and the second most metres run.
Sevu Reece – 7/10
As he said during the week, Reece will always have a point to prove whenever he plays in Hamilton after being overlooked by the Chiefs a couple of years ago. He got plenty of touches but was overall a frustrating night, not getting much of chance to run in space other than an ambitious carry in the 24th minute that saw him slip over the sideline untouched. Did score a try though, but even he didn’t look too sold on it when it was awarded.
?? Will Jordan ladies and gentlemen.. @crusadersrugby #CHIvCRU pic.twitter.com/UAMZpl6eYS
— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) August 1, 2020
Will Jordan – 8/10
Once again, Will Jordan has proven that he’s an All Black in waiting. Scored one of the easiest tries he’ll ever score, crossing over untouched from a few metres out. Nearly crossed over for his second but was stopped just centimetres short of the calk just after the break, beating a couple of defenders on his way. Finished the match with the most carries of any player with 13, and metres run with 84.
Reserves
Andrew Makalio – 6/10
Started the set piece move that led to Fainga’anuku’s try, putting Mo’unga through a gap.
Isileli Tu’ungafasi – 5.5/10
Oliver Jager – 5.5/10
Quinten Strange – 6/10
Finished with 5 tackles in his 23 minutes on the field.
Billy Harmon – 5.5/10
Bryn Hall – 6/10
Always was going to be a useful replacement.
Brett Cameron – N/A
On in the 75th.
Leicester Fainga’anuku – 6.5/10
Scored a try on the back of some impressive work from Richie Mo’unga.
Comments on RugbyPass
Wasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
3 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
3 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
3 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike 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.
30 Go to comments