Crusaders player ratings: ‘Next level’ performance rescues underwhelming hosts as talented back makes ‘late surge’ for All Blacks selection
Flanker Tom Christie and centre Braydon Ennor in action for the Crusaders.
Following a narrow 15-12 triumph over the Highlanders in the Super Rugby Pacific clash at Apollo Projects Stadium on Friday, here are the player ratings for the Crusaders.
15 Johnny McNicholl: Excellent last weekend, but much quieter on Friday as the Highlanders controlled matters after the Crusaders’ good start. Tried to impart himself in the game, but the visitors but to no avail. 5
14 Sevu Reece: Became a record-breaker by becoming the all-time top try-scorer in Super Rugby in the first half and then displayed a wonderful piece of skill after the break, but he was kept in check by the visitors. 6
Found his form
13 Braydon Ennor: Has found some form since returning from his latest injury and did some excellent work on both sides of the ball. Ennor made ground with his carries while on defence, he put in some thundering shots to make a late surge for All Blacks selection. 8
12 David Havili (c): A couple of nice passes and, like Ennor, there was some good work without the ball, but he is not producing the type of things his opposite number is doing. 6
11 Macca Springer: Limited opportunities with ball in hand as the Highlanders controlled where the game was played. 5
10 Rivez Reihana: Started the game well but struggled after that. Shifted when James O’Connor came on, however, and did a couple of nice things before the Crusaders’ winning try. 6
9 Mitch Drummond: Similar to Reihana, had a nice flow in the opening stages, but the visitors gradually got on top and reduced the scrum-half’s impact. 5
8 Christian Lio-Willie: Constantly made ground despite not too many barnstorming carries, and the number eight was huge in defence, winning a key turnover to stop the Highlanders scoring at the end. 8
Breakdown expert
7 Tom Christie: Absolute menace at the breakdown as ever and, like Lio-Willie, his interventions close to their own line just about kept them in the game. There’s been a lot of talk about Du’Plessis Kirifi this year, but Christie is surely right alongside him. Insane work rate after managing a staggering 29 tackles in a next-level display. 9
6 Cullen Grace: Absolutely put himself about but he was outshone by his back-row colleagues and was replaced relatively early in the second period. 6
5 Jamie Hannah: Lineout was solid but didn’t quite make the impact elsewhere and was duly taken off after 50 minutes. 5
4 Scott Barrett: You have to commend his leadership and ability to put his head where it hurts at the coalface when the game is on the line. However, his errant pass led to the Highlanders’ first try, which allowed them back into the contest. Needs to be better ahead of the Super Rugby run-in and Test season. 6
3 Tamaiti Williams: Showed his versatility by switching to tighthead and then proceeded to dominate fellow All Black Ethan de Groot in the set-piece. Scored the winning try to boot in what was a fine display from Williams, who went 80 minutes. 8
2 Codie Taylor: Throwing was accurate enough and he was busy in the loose but doesn’t impact the game quite as he used to. 6
1 George Bower: Another Crusaders prop to go long, Bower was excellent in the set-piece and helped get them up the field to get the crucial score late on. 7
Replacements: It was mixed from Kyle Preston but James O’Connor showed typical composure in the final quarter, while Quinten Strange and Corey Kellow were technically accurate in everything they did. 7