Crusaders Player Ratings vs Highlanders (Round 7, 2022)
Written by Vincent Jones
What a close game it was at Orangetheory stadium in Christchurch with the Crusaders taking it out 17-14. A great defensive effort from the Crusaders kept them in the game and if they hadn't defended as well then they would of ended up on the losing side. A red card in the 77th minute didn't help them at all and they were lucky to come away with the points. Here are the Crusaders player ratings.
Crusaders Player Ratings
Loosehead Prop - Joe Moody (5/10
A quiet game from the All Black prop as he only made 10 tackles and 3 carries whilst he was on the park.
Hooker - Codie Taylor (6/10)
A mediocre outing from Taylor tonight and like Moody was quiet but did play an important role for the home side with his 12 tackles and 7 metres run.
Tighthead Prop - Fletcher Newell (8/10)
Scoring the opening try for the Crusaders was Newell's highlight for this southern derby and his 5 defenders beaten showed he was working hard and pushing to be a regular starter for the men in red and black.
Lock 4 - Scott Barrett (7.5/10)
Barrett played an important role as captain in Christchurch and led his team well in all the moment it'd look like that they'd lose.
Lock 5 - Quinten Strange (7/10)
Worked well with Barrett in the absence of the experience of Sam Whitelock. Also growing as player every minute he spends on the park.
Blindside Flanker - Ethan Blackadder (8/10)
A quality outing for Blackadder making 21 tackles and 4 carries.
Openside Flanker - Tom Christie (8.5/10)
Worked well with his other loose forward trio in what really was defending game. Made 15 tackles and running 30 metres in a good night for Christie.
Number 8 - Cullen Grace (7.5/10)
Grace's 3 defenders beaten was his highlight for the night along with his 16 tackles made.
Halfback - Mitchell Drummond (6/10)
Not the best of nights for Drummond and didn't have the biggest impact whilst out on the field. Made 1 turnover in this match.
First-Five - Richie Mo'unga (7/10)
A good night out for the All Black after Mo'unga after last week. Beat 1 defender and made 5 tackles.
Left Wing - George Bridge (6/10)
Bridge was not his usual vibrant self tonight and this showed in his stats with only 1 offload and 5 metres run.
Second-Five - David Havili (8/10)
A good night for Havili after his 100th last week in Hamilton and showed why he has played so many games with his 5 defenders beaten and 1 offload.
Centre - Leicester Fainga'anuku (9/10)
Was well noticed out on the field tonight with his 1 break, 2 defenders beaten and 13 metres run.
Right Wing - Sevu Reece (9/10)
Showed he was putting in the hard yards tonight. His 2 turnovers showed he was working hard along with his 8 tackles.
Fullback - Will Jordan (10/10)
Player of the match and showed as he was electric out on the field tonight and showed why he is world class. Ran 66 metres and beat 8 defenders which again shows his great talent.
Reserve Prop - Shilo Klein (1/10)
Was looking alright for Klein until his high shot with his shoulder on De Groot which resulted in a red card and the lowest rating for the Crusaders.
Reserve Loosehead Prop - George Bower (Not rating)
Not on the field long enough for the loosehead prop to be rated.
Reserve Tighthead Prop - Tamaiti Williams (6.5/10)
1 defender beaten and 1 carry showed Williams value.
Reserve Lock - Zach Gallagher (5/10)
A real one to watch for the future making world class team at only 20 with his 1 defender beaten and 1 turnover.
Reserve Loose Forward - Pablo Matera (No rating)
No rating for Matera as he only made 6 tackles.
Reserve Halfback - Bryn Hall (No rating)
No rating for Hall as he only made 6 passes and 3 tackles.
Reserve First-Five - Fergus Burke (No rating)
Didn't play tonight.
Replacement Outside Back - Braydon Ennor (No rating)
Only making 6 tackles and a turnover, meaning you can't really rate him as we just wasn't on the field long enough.