Crusaders v Reds: Five takeaways as ‘All Blacks class’ shines through to show play-off rugby is a ‘different beast’
The Crusaders scrum, which dominated the Reds on Friday, and back-row Ethan Blackadder.
Following a 32-12 victory for the Crusaders over the Reds, here are our five takeaways from the Super Rugby Pacific clash at Apollo Projects Stadium on Friday.
The top line
The Crusaders eased into the semi-finals of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign after their forwards overwhelmed the Reds in Christchurch.
Built on a foundation of defence, set-piece and a tactically astute kicking game, they were far too strong for their Australian opponents up front. The visitors barely fired a shot all match and found themselves 12-0 behind at the break after tries from Scott Barrett and Tamaiti Williams.
Even the departure of Williams to injury failed to stem the flow as two more scores for the New Zealanders followed with playmaking duo Noah Hotham and Rivez Reihana touching down. Hotham’s was particularly special as the scrum-half broke down the middle, chipped over the top and recollected to effectively end the game as a contest.
At 27-0 in arrears, the Reds did finally mount a response of sorts as Josh Nasser and Fraser McReight saved them from complete embarrassment, but the Crusaders deservedly had the final word when Kyle Preston crossed the whitewash to end the Queensland outfit’s season.
Play-off rugby
Super Rugby Pacific may have been hailed by the supporters and critics for its all-singing, all-dancing approach this season, but knockout rugby is a different beast and the Crusaders and Reds showed that on Friday.
Line breaks were at a premium as defences dominated, but it was in the set-piece where the game was decided. The scrum – a facet of the game Super Rugby has looked to reduce in influence – was a genuine weapon for the hosts and it set up the victory for the Christchurch-based outfit.
When you add into the mix their work at lineout and maul – areas which led to their first two tries – the Crusaders’ win was all about doing the fundamentals effectively. For the first score, the New Zealanders managed to disrupt a Reds lineout on the five-metre line, allowing All Blacks captain Barrett to touch down, before a dominant drive eventually resulted in Williams going over for the second.
In the final 40 minutes, it was more of the same from Rob Penney’s men, whose defence became even more suffocating and induced further errors from Les Kiss’ outfit as the visitors’ desperation grew. It was the ideal play-off performance from the Crusaders.
Mighty Tamaiti
For the first half-hour, the loosehead was exceptional, showing why he has become a cornerstone of their pack this season. Williams scrummaged brilliantly, put in some big hits on defence and also grabbed himself a try following a short-range surge.
The prop’s power and technique at close quarters is exceptional while his ability to get around the field has already made him a valuable asset for both club and country. Which is why his departure from the field just before the break will be a concern for Penney and All Blacks boss Scott Robertson.
Williams was obviously helped by his trusty cohort Fletcher Newell, who was a standout after a month on the sidelines, in the set-piece, while fellow All Black George Bower continued the fine scrummaging work after coming on for the 24-year-old, but they will hope his injury is not too serious.
Reds and Les Kiss concerns
For a team with their talent, as well as the hype around them following their fine start to the campaign, you have to say that this has been an underwhelming season for the Queenslanders. It is perhaps no surprise they were so disappointing in Christchurch, given their subpar performances leading into the play-offs, but it doesn’t reduce the frustration over this display.
They have some outstanding individuals – McReight’s score from Harry Wilson’s kick through was absolutely glorious for example – but as a unit the visitors were pretty abysmal in most facets. The Crusaders’ dismantling of their front five has already been mentioned but their half-backs, who could well be playing for the Wallabies next month, made bad decisions throughout.
It was an abysmal end to a season which initially showed such promise. Head coach Kiss was announced as Wallabies boss a few days after their victory over the defending champion Blues but, since then, they have suffered losses to Fijian Drua, Brumbies, Hurricanes and now the Crusaders, with wins over the ailing Waratahs and strugglers Drua their only successes.
Rugby Australia can’t go back now but, with the 60-year-old staying on for the 2026 season thanks to the goodwill of Joe Schmidt, who has agreed to delay his departure, they will hope that next year sees an improvement for the Reds and will duly set him up nicely for the Wallabies role. If not, questions will be asked of the governing body and Kiss himself.
All Blacks class
In a front five which contains four players who could well start for the All Blacks against France, and another on the bench who has earned over 20 caps since 2020, they very much showed that quality on Friday.
There has been criticism of Barrett’s form this season, while Codie Taylor has not had his best campaign, which means the names on the teamsheet have not necessarily been matched by their performances on the field. When you add Newell’s recent injury into the mix, the Crusaders have not looked the mighty pack of old, but they all stepped up for this play-off clash.
With that set-piece platform created, it enabled their exceptional back-row to shine. In particular, Ethan Blackadder, back after yet another injury lay-off, and Christian Lio-Willie were superb and could make a surge for All Blacks selection with potentially two more fine displays in the run-in.
Blackadder was disruptive at the breakdown and put in some big shots on defence to raise his hand for Test selection. As we know, Robertson is a big fan of the back-rower and on this evidence it would be madness not to select him, but it has always been about whether the 30-year-old can stay fit.
