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
Bar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept 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.
35 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
35 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
35 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.
35 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. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. 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.
35 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.
35 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.
2 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.
35 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.
18 Go to comments