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Crusaders player ratings vs Hurricanes | Super Rugby Aotearoa

(Photo by Masanori Udagawa/Getty Images)

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This afternoon, an epic encounter at Sky Stadium Wellington seeing the visiting Crusaders snatching a 30-27 victory in extra time over the Hurricanes after both sides had exhausted themselves but couldn’t be separated after regulation time.

No doubt Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson will be relieved to see his team back to winning ways after a rare home defeat to the Highlanders in the previous round. Here’s how his players rated in Wellington.

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The All Blacks on their toughest ever opponents | Healthspan Elite

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The All Blacks on their toughest ever opponents | Healthspan Elite

1. Joe Moody – 6.5/10

A bittersweet afternoon for the veteran loose head as he was celebrating his 100th Super Rugby match, however was forced from the field with what appeared to be an ankle injury after just 26 minutes. Appeared to be giving it a fair shake before his untimely departure.

2. Codie Taylor – 8.5

No tries for the All-Black hooker today but his defensive performance was his point-of-difference, imposing a herculean 24 tackles and a turnover for his team. He was relentless in around the ball and ensured that the Hurricanes didn’t dominate the collision when he was around. A ‘True Grit’ performance.

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3. Oliver Jager – 6.5

Did his bit and appears to be getting back to some form. Didn’t let his side down in the set piece which was vitally important today as the Hurricanes came to play in that aspect of the game.

4. Scott Barrett – 6

Bit of a ‘Jeckyl & Hyde’ performance by the skipper today. Made some telling tackles when needed, especially in the wider channels but he also had his defensive misreads that compounded pressure onto his side. Further pressure was brought on by a basic lineout error at a crucial time in the match which is unacceptable for a player of his calibre and the responsibility he has.

5. Samuel Whitelock – 7.5

Thought he was pretty special today. Another exhaustive performance around the breakdown and lead by example in that space.

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6. Whetukamokamo Douglas – 5.5

Worked hard but doesn’t appear to have the defensive nous in the wider channels where he got caught out a couple of times that proved costly. A better player playing a traditional 8-man role.

7. Sione Havili Talitui – 7.5

Really worked himself hard but considering he was up against an on-fire Ardie Savea he had to. Is playing his own way, and playing well and furthermore isn’t looking to be a ‘stand in’ Tom Christie, but it appears the Crusaders are missing the glue that Tom Christie is on the edges.

8. Cullen Grace – 7.5

Does what he always does and worked hard off the ball but would have really liked to have seen him take on a bit more initiative with ball-in-hand play as today the Crusaders back row were arguably outplayed in that aspect. His crowning moment was his work in the lineout and he really caused the Hurricanes issues there.

9. Bryn Hall – 6

He was a bit clunky today. Passes were a tad off at times coupled with the odd knock on or missed tackle. Has such better rugby in him.

10. Richie Mo’unga – 7

A fair ole game by him with moments of ‘Mo’unga Magic’ but he was squeezed for space and front foot ball consistently today, but too his credit he still managed to give the Hurricanes plenty to think about.

11. George Bridge – 8

Such a typical consistent George Bridge effort. Seldom did he make a mistake and cashed in with two tries. Positionally sound and worked hard off the ball.

12. David Havili – 6

Like Scott Barrett bit of mixed bag today. Had to try tame a ferocious Ngani Laumape which is a daunting task but too his credit he chipped away and contributed to the win today, securing the final 3 points in extra time.

13. Jack Goodhue – 6.5

Off in the 21st with a leg injury sustained in an attempted tackle on opposite Peter Umaga-Jensen who had deceived Goodhue with a sublime inside, out angled run that caused the Crusaders some concern, but not as much as the leg injury sustained. Wasn’t shirking his work before the injury.

14. Sevu Reece – 8

Bagged a try and was a handful for the Hurricanes for most of the afternoon. He knowns when to up urgency and to inject himself into the collision area’s when his side is under pressure there. A quality, mature wingers’ performance today.

15. Will Jordan – 6.5

He worked hard today but if anything over thought it a bit. He wasted a try scoring opportunity by kicking away possession after the Crusaders had launched a counter attack from deep within their 22. With numbers in support, I was just asking ‘Why’? He needed to be smarter with the ball at crucial times, but he wasn’t today. He did run some very good lines at other times but he was the second best 15 on the park today.

Reserves:

16. Brodie McAlister – N/A

17. George Bower – 6.5 – On for Joe Moody earlier than expected and contributed well around the tackle and set piece.

18. Michael Alaalatoa – 6 – On for Ollie Jager and did his bit. Guilty of an infringement when the Crusaders were in the Hurricanes territory but otherwise solid.

19. Mitchell Dunshea – 7 – Enjoyed his input. He really looked to up the tempo and impose himself at a crucial time of the match. He must be itching to get a start and played like so.

20. Tom Sanders – 6 – Good to see ‘The Colonel’ back in action, but appeared to have greasy fingers as he dropped the ball after his first attempt. Looked to get involved a contributed otherwise.

21. Mitchell Drummond – 6.5 – Was a steadier hand than Bryn Hall today and that allowed his side to stay in the hunt and eventually win the match.

22. Dallas McLeod – N/A

23. Leicester Fainga’anuku – 7 – Was a handful as always in attack causing the Hurricanes any number of headaches. Defensively a little hit and miss however.

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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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