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Crusaders player ratings vs Chiefs | Super Rugby Pacific

(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

The Crusaders hosted the Chiefs at Orangetheory Stadium on Saturday night in round four of Super Rugby Pacific. 

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Scott Robertson recalled several All Blacks to the forward pack including Joe Moody, Codie Taylor and Sam Whitelock. It was a tough battle upfront with plenty of feeling from both sides.

The Chiefs were in the game heading into the second half, but the Crusaders calmly built their lead during the match and relied on their defence to repel wave after wave of Chiefs attack. Despite making over 200 tackles, it wasn’t enough to keep the Chiefs from scoring the match-winner right on full-time to end the match 24-21. 

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Here’s how the Crusaders rated:

1. Joe Moody – 7

The old bull was consistently breaking the line from his hit-ups in contact. A few passes didn’t go to hand but otherwise he was influential for the Saders before being subbed shortly after half time. 

2. Codie Taylor – 7.5

Named as captain for the game, Taylor was all over the park in defence and attack. Won a few turnovers and was solid at lineout time. He was even seen ball-hawking on the right wing setting up his outside backs. 

3. Fletcher Newell – 6

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Toiled away at tighthead prop, putting a massive shift in defence. Held up the scrum on his side, quickly becoming a player the organisation can rely on to put in a consistent performance. 

4. Quinten Strange – 5.5

Back in the starting line-up due to the late withdrawal of Scott Barrett. Worked hard around the park but didn’t really assert himself on the match. Set a good platform in the scrum for his fellow forwards and was tireless in defence. 

5. Sam Whitelock – 7

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As one of the more experienced players in the side, he led the forward pack around the ground admirably. Won some lineouts against the throw. 

6. Ethan Blackadder – 7 

Was amongst the best in the forward battle and seemingly popped up everywhere to offer support whenever the Saders made a line break. Drooped the ball five metres from the line to squander a certain Crusaders try in the first half. 

7. Tom Christie 6.5 

Like a typical openside, Christie was tenacious at the breakdown. With the game on the line, he put in a big shift in defence making 19 tackles. 

8. Pablo Matera – 7

Matera played his natural game, and was asked to be physical and direct with his carries. He was combative at the breakdown throughout the match. 

9. Bryn Hall – 7

After a great cameo of the bench last week, Hall started in the middle for this game and provided great service to his men outside him. Chose his moments to snipe from the base of the ruck and was always there to back up on the inside. 

10. Richie Mo’unga – 7

Looked dangerous early, challenging the line and finding gaps between defenders. He showed some silky skills at points but his biggest strength was his ability to control the game and build points. Came off with 10 minutes to go after succumbing to cramps.

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11. Leicester Fainga’anuku – 6

Went in looking for work off the ruck but the Chiefs were able to keep him out of action for most of the game. Subbed for George Bridge. 

12. David Havili – 7.5 

Returned to the midfield and looked to have bulked up in the offseason. He put that size to good use, carrying hard through the middle of the Chiefs defence. Was the lucky recipient of a bobbled ball to score the Crusaders opening try. Immense in defence and saved a try by stripping Pita-Gus Sowakula over the try line. 

13. Braydon Ennor 6.5 

Busted the line to create a lot of opportunities for his backline. Opened the scoring in the second half by running off a no-look pass for Codie Taylor to score under the posts.

14. Sevu Reece – 6

Showed some aerobatics early in the first half to keep the ball from going into touch off a Chiefs penalty kick. Was always a threat with his elusiveness and quick turn of pace but was often forced to run back infield looking for space. 

15. Will Jordan – 6.5

Punished the Chiefs wayward clearance kicking with stellar counter attack. Was fantastic in the air under the high ball. Tried to inject himself into the backline but had limited opportunities. 

Reserves

16. Shilo Klein – N/A

Came on with 10 minutes to go and contributed the Saders incredible defence.

17. Abraham Pole N/A

Made some big hits while he was on the field in the dying minutes of the game. 

18. George Bower – 6

Got into the game early in the second half and brought plenty of punch in defence. 

19. Dominic Gardiner N/A 

Only saw about seven minutes of game time. 

20. Cullen Grace – 6.5 

A handy replacement to bring on at the 55th minute. Was energetic in his efforts and was a leader in defence with the game in the balance. 

21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi – 6 

Came on with 20 minutes left to face his old team. Continued to provide good service to Mo’ounga and his performance sets up an intriguing selection battle with Hall. 

22. Fergus Burke – N/A

Subbed on for Mo’ounga with 10 minutes to go. 

23. George Bridge – 6

Came on in the 60th minute for Fainga’anuku but got limited time with the ball in his hands.

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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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TRENDING Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea
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