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The players the Crusaders must axe to save their season
By Ben Smith
The Crusaders third straight loss to start the season has confirmed that the dynasty is well and truly over. It is clear the Mo’unga magic is gone, Razor’s energy has left the building. The growing pains with a younger side are there to see.
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Losing to the Drua at home is not a shameful defeat. They have proven to be a force at home against all the New Zealand sides and the bookies had unfairly written them off and put too much faith into the Crusaders’ reputation.
But with the side now 0-3 they need to save their season next week against the undefeated Hurricanes in their first home game of the year. Tough decisions need to be made to reverse course and win now, which requires some big personnel changes.
Willi Heinz
Having a 37-year-old halfback really showed in Luatoka. Veteran Willi Heinz is too slow to play Super Rugby Pacific, and after being capped by England is really of no benefit to the All Blacks.
In the early stages of the first half Cullen Grace chased down Drua fulback Ilaisa Droasese, forcing a bad pass and a net loss of 20 plus metres. Dom Gardiner secured the loose ball giving the Crusaders prime front foot ball in transition.
Heinz was nowhere to be seen to recycle that ball quickly. Prop George Bower had to play halfback instead, and passed directly to the No 9 trying to get to the ruck.
The shambolic passage saw Heinz drop the ball backwards unexpectedly and the Crusaders then lost possession when Taha Kemara coughed up the pill in contact.
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Great teams strike in those windows of opportunities and the Crusaders could barely string two passes together, lost 15 metres and turned the ball over.
With Heinz ancient legs getting around the park combined with a snail mail pass, it’s hard to see how they can get better at that.
Here’s the killer stat: Nearly a third (28 per cent) of the Crusaders rucks took six seconds or longer to recycle. At this level that is like super slow motion.
Mitchell Drummond should be starting if Noah Hotham is not. Hotham is still developing but Drummond can bring the tempo and accuracy needed at this level.
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George Bell
Hooker George Bell’s throwing is currently a chronic liability despite his reliable work rate and effort around the park.
He was picked off multiple times against the Waratahs and could not find his targets against the Drua. The lineout operated at 64 per cent in Fiji which is well below the required standard in Super Rugby.
Bell is a burly, mobile rake with lots to like, but if you can’t throw, you’ve got to go. The Crusaders need Codie Taylor back as soon as possible to stabilise the most important set-piece.
Taha Kemara
It’s rough on the young No 10 with so much on his shoulders early in the season. Last year’s New Zealand U20 first five wasn’t expected to be starting but Fergus Burke is still sidelined and Rivez Reihana is out with the knock.
Kemara’s execution has not been there. Passes hit the ground when giving and receiving, kicks do not find touch, kicks go out on the full, it’s been a display of unforced errors.
It doesn’t help when your second five isn’t taking the pressure off either, David Havili has been equally poor and haphazard. There is limited chemistry between 10-12-13.
Reihana, whilst not perfect in round one, needs to relieve Kemara of his duties. The 20-year-old needs to stay confident, hard work and be ready for his next shot.
He’s not ready for Super Rugby right now and what’s apparent is the Crusaders aren’t ready for him.
Thrusting a 20-year-old No 10 into a side with this many issues is a recipe for disaster. If the Crusaders keep starting him in this disorganised mess they will only ruin his confidence.
David Havili
The rested bunch of All Blacks don’t look fully up to it right now, which is a problem for the Crusaders because they need their stars to be leading the way. Havili has been the opposite.
He had three turnovers against the Waratahs, the most in the team, a charged down exit kick that gave away seven points, and two running metres from seven carries.
Against the Drua he had two more turnovers and his defensive channels against were like swiss cheese with a lack of communication outside and inside him leading to multiple line breaks for the Fijians.
They don’t have any other fit fullbacks so Chay Fihaki cannot be moved into the midfield, but Ryan Crotty can bring stability and accuracy to the position as an experienced All Black. Dallas McLeod is also more than capable. Levi Aumua can be moved into 12 to simplify the Crusaders game.
A left-field solution is to move David Havili back to fullback, a position he knows well after many seasons at No 15 in the early years of the Robertson dynasty.
There are plenty of options but they have got to get Havili out of the 12 jersey.
Dom Gardiner
The 22-year-old has impressed in spurts, but also has not been error-free. He was handed a yellow card against the Waratahs and turned the ball over often against the Drua. This would be a tactical change as someone has to make way for Ethan Blackadder.
The Crusaders desperately need Blackadder back who will bring more gain line carry than Cullen Grace at No 8. The physicality Blackadder has is something none of their current forwards bar Barrett can bring. The meek Crusaders pack needs some more explosive power.
Grace has been one of the best players, but he can move to blindside meaning Gardiner gets the chop from the starting side.
The good
It’s not all doom and gloom in Crusader-land. There have been some shining lights despite the poor results.
Scott Barrett is obviously world-class. Jamie Hannah has been a revelation as an impact player off the bench. Quinten Strange started showing some decent form on the trip to Fiji.
Sevu Reece has been sensational and has been almost a one-man-band coming back from injury. He scored two against the Waratahs and another in Fiji with a strike play that needed Reece to pretty much do it all.
Levi Aumua has been good the last two weeks after the Crusaders didn’t get him the ball in round one. Macca Springer looks to have elite level speed on the edge while adding size to his frame.
There is enough there to turn around the ship and get the season back on track.
However, the competition has been waiting seven years for this opportunity, and particularly the four other New Zealand teams.
If the Crusaders don’t take drastic action the Hurricanes will take full advantage and feast on the carcass of the dead dynasty next weekend in Christchurch.
No favours will be given and no mercy will be shown.
The players identified are certainly not firing but as pointed out, most are playing due to unforeseen injuries to others. Kemara is not ready for regular game at this level and a seasoned NPC relief would be better. Havili has been slack and should have played himself out of AB consideration. Gardiner needs to focus on simple rugby and do the basics right. I would add Newell to the list of those who look out of sync at this stage - getting done in the scrums and not contibuting much around the field. However, I think we would write this team off prematurely if we think they are done for the season.
Wat was the purpose of bringing WHeinz back into the team? What has happened to our rugby development? The u20 players from last years failed campaign in SA need to come through the club system first before playing super level! It’s clear as daylight that some players are overrated! Bring the youngsters through the club system and not the academies only as some very good players are overlooked for the overrated players claimed to have come through the NZ elite system! This will eventually impact our future status in the rugby world!
why give the players a chance sure the crusaders havent started well but there have been other upsets and maybe its the people who select the players who should be axed and remember scott robertson took most of his coaching staff with him.
Everyone dropped balls in the conditions. Dominic Gardiner, had a great game. Giving his all.David Havili should be moved to 10 until Fergus Burke returns next month. Bring back Ryan Crotty and Dallas McLeod. Please.Saying Havili should be gone is ridiculous. David, Dominic were 2 of our best.
I still don’t understand how Kemara was signed when Canterbury have Alex Harford right there.
Havili has been terrible, and needs to move back to fullback, he’s not a 12. Mcleod needs to be starting at 12 from here on in.
Aumua is out of shape. He hasn’t been good at all apart from one good run last week. But he looks overweight and out of shape and was lumbering around like a dead man walking way too early in the game. Any talk of him being an all black is hilarious at this point.
THIS SHOWS THE HUGE IMPACT SCOTT ROBERTSON MADE ON THE CRUSADERS .
Have to agree about heinz. He stood and watched turnovers develop in front of him multiple times instead of putting his shoulder in and protecting the ball itself, and the one thing he does have is experience, he should be able to see those situations developing and cut them off early
A pretty fair summary,but when I watched the game,I was amazed at a couple of decisions,1 at about the 60 minute mark & the 2nd at about 70 minutes,when after being awarded penalties that were kickable ,on each occasion they kicked to the corner,& of course came up empty.I was amazed that at 17 10 & a hot day with a misfiring line-out & an inexperienced team,why not take the points.I.am also astounded that Willie Heinz is even in the Squad.At one stage after dropping the ball I noticed he appeared to be looking downwards,to re tie a lace?No I think he was looking for his Gold Card
Axe these players for who? Should we add a bit of perspective.
George Bell is the third choice hooker behind Taylor (sabbatical) and McAllister (injured). He was injured most of last season and has to start even with his youth and inexperience.
Kemara is in the same position as Bell. Third choice behind Burke and Reihana (both injured) and is only 20 years old. Is it wise to drop him for Hohepa who was in the Chiefs training squad 2 weeks ago?
Same with Gardiner. He is young and has stepped up in the absence of Blackadder. Fihaki has had to as well with Jordan and Halfpenny injured. Havili has to play for his experience and boot but probably shouldn’t with his lack of game time with injuries and All Black rest (what?)
No comment on the rotating selection of the halfbacks….