Crusaders player ratings: ‘Experiment’ with All Blacks star a ‘roaring success’ in deserved triumph over Waratahs
Leicester Fainga’anuku, Dallas McLeod and Fletcher Newell (inset) all shone for the Crusaders against the Waratahs.
After a 35-20 triumph in their Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Waratahs at the One NZ Stadium in Christchurch, here’s how the Crusaders players performed on Friday.
Crusaders player ratings v Waratahs
15 Johnny McNicholl: The former Wales international flyer was solid under the high ball and did his bit on attack as he gained 25 metres and finished with two try assists. 7
14 Dallas McLeod: The Exeter Chiefs-bound utility back was a late replacement for Sevu Reece and made full use of that opportunity as he looked dangerous on attack. McLeod eventually finished with a team-high 74 metres gained and his efforts were rewarded with a brace of tries. 8
13 Braydon Ennor: Did what was expected of him as a ball carrier, gaining 24 metres and was solid in the execution of his defensive duties. 6
12 David Havili (c): The Crusaders‘ skipper spent some time in the sin bin for an illegal hit on an opponent and that took some gloss off his overall performance. Apart from that indiscretion, Havili impressed on both sides of the ball as he gained 34 metres and finished with nine tackles made. 7
11 Macca Springer: The young speedster impressed with ball in hand as he gained 49 metres which included one clean break, three defenders beaten and he crossed for a well-taken try. Also won a couple of turnovers and made nine tackles. 8
10 Taha Kemara: Put in a fine all-round performance as his game management and playmaking skills were of a high standard and he finished 38 metres gained on attack while also impressing with his goal-kicking as he slotted four conversions. Replaced by Rivez Reihana in the 66th minute. 7
9 Noah Hotham: The All Blacks scrum-half delivered a crisp service to his outside backs and did well on attack as he gained 35 metres while also impressing on defence, where he made 10 hits and won two turnovers. 7
The forwards
8 Christian Lio-Willie: The rookie All Blacks back-row had a quiet game by his usual standards as he made little impact on attack, gaining just 14 metres, although he was solid in defence, where he made nine hits. Replaced by Johnny Lee after 66 minutes. 6
7 Leicester Fainga’anuku: There was plenty of talk in the build-up to this clash about the experiment of playing the All Blacks utility back in the forwards and that exercise was a roaring success. From the outset, Fainga’anuku was in the thick of the action on attack as he finished with 39 metres gained and crossed for a deserved try. He also made eight tackles and was a nuisance at the breakdowns. 8
6 Dom Gardiner: Came to the fore with a fine attacking display as he emptied the tank on attack, gaining 70 metres from a joint team-high 16 carries while also impressing in the execution of his defensive duties, where he made 11 tackles. 8
5 Tahlor Cahill: Put in a solid shift at the coalface as he got through plenty of defensive work, making 10 tackles, while also doing his bit in the lineouts, where he was a valuable source of possession. 7
4 Antonio Shalfoon: Delivered a fine all-round performance as he was a willing ball carrier, especially at close quarters, put in a huge shift on defence as he made 11 tackles and did well in the lineouts. 7
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3 Fletcher Newell: The All Blacks front-row impressed with his scrummaging performance as he put plenty of pressure on Waratahs counterpart Isaac Kailea at the set-piece but made his biggest contribution on defence where he finished with a team-high 12 tackles made. 8
2 Codie Taylor: The experienced All Blacks hooker was at the forefront of the Crusaders’ forward efforts as he caught the eye with a solid all-round display. Taylor impressed as a ball carrier and crossed for a try while also doing his bit on defence, where he made 10 hits before being replaced by George Bell after 57 minutes. 7
1 Finlay Brewis: Just like Newell, Brewis put in a solid display at scrum-time while also doing well on defence where he made nine tackles before George Bower came on as his replacement in the 57th minute. 8
Replacements: The home side’s back-up players continued with the fine work and retained the high intensity levels of the players who they replaced. Amongst the forwards, Bell stood out as he impressed with ball in hand and won two crucial turnovers while, in the backline, Reihana had some good attacking moments. 7