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Crusaders player ratings vs Blues | Super Rugby Pacific

Sevu Reece. (Photo by Peter Meecham/Getty Images)

In what can only be described as an epic match, the Blues have defeated the Crusaders 27-23 at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch.

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The match was billed as a blockbuster and the first half didn’t disappoint. Like champion heavyweights each side felt each other out with the ‘jab’ game but then landed some significant blows once opportunities were identified. Despite some lineout issues, the Blues upped the tempo and went into the sheds up 17-7 half time.

The second half delivered everything. Cards, grit, more cards, skill, physicality and fearless rugby from whistle-to-whistle and it was the Blues who managed to hang on to seal the win from the late charging Crusaders.

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A privilege to watch, this one. This is how the Crusaders rated:

1. Joe Moody – 6.5/10
Nullified the Blues set-piece early and contributed with several determined carries and cleans when his side were on the attack. Yet uncharacteristically, he had a few defensive lapses. Left the field in the 35th minute with a leg injury – a shame, as he was building.

2. Codie Taylor – 8
Was a real leader for his side, particularly around the collision. He really grew into his game in the second half and was simply immense on the left flank causing the Blues any number of issues.

3. Oli Jager – 5.5
A defensive misread that lead to a Blues try coupled with a clean dropped ball that relieved pressure off the Blues was evidence of not a great first half for the Irishman. He held up his end of the bargain in the scrum but didn’t nail the detail in other aspects of the game.

4. Scott Barrett – 6
Was having a very strong game on both sides of the ball, yet a red card for a high shot on Alex Hodgman saw his side down to 13 men at one stage. Sadly, ill-discipline isn’t a one off for him as he has been red carded for the All Blacks for similar behaviour. Needs to get on top of these as it is simply too costly.

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5. Zach Gallagher – 7
The Crusaders have developed another quality lock forward in this young man. He wasn’t perfect, but he never stopped. Chased everything, tackled everything and left everything out on the park. Tremendous mindset.

6. Ethan Blackadder – 7
Tireless performance and really stepped up when his side were on the ropes during the middle third of the match.

 

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7. Tom Christie – 7.5
The Minister for Defence, was relentless around the ball. Whilst he didn’t always execute as efficiently as he has previously, he got himself into the right zones to affect the match. Does this man ever stop? Can this man ever stop?

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8. Cullen Grace – 7.5
Really stepped up tonight in the physicality department. There may be some NRL clubs looking at him as he ran with some serious grit and directness time and time again.

9. Bryn Hall – 6
I thought neither of the Crusaders 9s played particularly well tonight. His midfield box kick that went pretty much nowhere was park rugby. Has better stuff in him.

10. Richie Mo’unga – 7.5
Played the basics with panache. His 50/22 when his side were on the ropes was special. Despite missing a very kickable shot at the posts he really was exceptional in most aspects of game tonight. Kept his side in it but perhaps cost his side a try when he hung onto it close to the line.

11. Leicester Fainga’anuku – 5.5
Never really found his way into the match.

12. David Havili – 6
A Jekyll-and-Hyde performance by him. His pass to hit Will Jordan drifting off a narrow Blues defence was centre meter perfect. His kicking game was a bit hit and miss, this coupled with his yellow card were the negative side to his performance.

13. Braydon Ennor – 6
Made some mistimed runs coupled with some strong carries. He certainly looked for some work and did cause the Blues some issues. A fair effort.

14. Sevu Reece – 8
He was a handful for the Blues tonight, crossing the paint twice. Showed some exceptional handling skills at times and looked for work when work needed to be done. Strong game.

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15. Will Jordan – 7.5
Threatening as ever. Deserved his try and found space through the middle consistently. If anything, he could have supported the play better but all things considered he was on tonight.

Replacements:

16. Ricky Jackson – N/A

17. George Bower – 6
On in the 35th and experienced some issues at the set piece. Didn’t really nail the detail up until about the 67th minute when he buzzed Mark Telea’s tower with a great hit. Snapped him into the game and finished well.

18. Fletcher Newell – 6
He brought plenty when he came on. Nothing special, just did his job.

19. Dominic Gardiner – 6
Looked to play on the wide edges and failed to execute an offload down the left side. When charging down the right side in the 78th minute it would have been good to see him to run the outside-in angle to give himself a greater chance of keeping the play alive.

20. Pablo Matera – 6
Steadied the ship with his experience and contributed well in tight.

21. Mitch Drummond – 5.5
A few too many looped passes, coupled with short passes hindered his side. He worked hard to get to the breakdown but like some of his mates, didn’t nail the detail at some crucial times.

22. Fergus Burke – N/A

23. George Bridge – 7
Added some real impact to the match. Just looked to take the Blues on at every opportunity and caused them some real issues. Probably played himself into the starting line-up.

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Comments

2 Comments
J
Jim Taylor 933 days ago

3 for Barrett. Has likely caused head issues for Alex Hodgman for a real minute.

J
Jim Taylor 933 days ago

6 for Barrett ? . . . Really.

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Comments on RugbyPass

O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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