The Highlanders' bizarre defensive tactic that was exploited by Crusaders
The Highlanders’ valiant 17-14 loss to the Crusaders was a game decided by defence as both sides failed to score any second half points, but one bizarre defensive strategy in the first half ended up costing the visitors.
Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith was positioned to defend at centre, between second-five Scott Gregory and his side’s actual centre Fetuli Paea, during a set-piece play deep inside their own half 10 minutes before half-time.
It was from that set play that Crusaders midfielder Leicester Fainga’anuku scored his try, running through Smith to edge the hosts into the lead, with the 17-14 scoreline remaining unchanged from that point on.
Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall recounted what happened on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, crediting David Havili for making the read and play.
“There [were] no common pictures for us, seeing that actually,” Hall said on whether the decision to target Smith with Fainga’anuku – who is 17cm taller and 26kg heavier than the Highlanders captain -was a deliberate play by Crusaders.
“It was really good from David Havili in that moment. A lot of teams are running that play, hitting the 12 wide off a maul.
“Look at any New Zealand team at the moment off a maul, lineout strikes, everybody is hitting the 12 looking for manipulation and animation off him.
“Davey saw that Nuggey [Smith] was defending on Leicester, in that kind of area. We had a default move that we were going to go to, but it was a heads up play from Dave and Leicester seeing that Aaron was there.
“Leicester went straight through there. To answer your question, there was no preview around us seeing that [pre-game].
“It was just great work to recognise that Aaron Smith was in the line, he’s a little bit smaller than Leicester, so we were better off with that one-on-one opportunity.”
Havili used quick hands to provide a short ball to Fainga’anuku running a hard line underneath Aaron Smith, who was able to then fend off Gregory. The 22-year-old then crashed over next to the posts.
Former Blues hooker James Parsons said it was anecdotal evidence that showed why Havili is highly-rated by the Crusaders, as he initially thought himself that they had identified that defensive set-up by the Highlanders in pre-game meetings.
“That’s good to know, though, because you are watching that on screen, I initially thought, ‘Oh, they have previewed that,’ but to know that sort of stuff was decided on the fly does show why David Havili gets so many wraps internally from the Crusaders,” Parsons said.
The Highlanders were then left to rue a second half of missed opportunities. The Crusaders defended for large periods as the visitors enjoyed territory and possession, looking threatening on multiple occasions but just could not get the ball over the line.
Tony Brown’s side missed a chance to level proceedings when Mitch Hunt’s penalty goal attempt hit the upright, and they had more than one clean line break to set-up field position in good attacking zones.
Hunt also had the chance to level the scoreline late in the match when the Highlanders were awarded a penalty in kickable range, but they instead opted to kick for touch, only for the first-five to boot the ball dead and waste a promising opportunity.
Hall credited his side’s scramble defence as they key reason that kept them in the game after Highlanders reserve halfback Folau Fakatava came on and made a huge impact.
“There were a lot of good breaks through Folau Fakatava. When he came on, I thought he was outstanding,” Hall told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.
“He was really able to rip us around our heart defence.
“To be honest, probably the crucial moments were Sevu Reece’s steals in the second half. Will Jordan had three turnovers last week and Sevu Reece was able to get three steals this week.
“We are getting a lot of gains out of those turnovers. It’s been a big work-on for us with Tams [assistant coach Tamati Ellison] this year.
“Last year we didn’t get a lot of turnovers, whether that be the jackals or hunting and flooding through but this year we seem to getting a lot of them.
“Those moments at crucial times are winning us games.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar 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.
10 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.
39 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.
3 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
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 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
39 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.
39 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.
39 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.
39 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 comments