Crusaders player ratings vs Moana Pasifika | Super Rugby Pacific

Moana arrived in Christchurch for round seven of Super Rugby Pacific in search of their first win of the season and looked poised to take it.

The Crusaders started the game by executing their set piece well and playing the territory game to good effect. While the Crusaders may have been the first to score, it was Moana who had the momentum throughout the opening 40 and had the better of both the possession and territory.

Timoci Tavatavanawai and Levi Aumua shredded the Crusaders' defence apart with their physicality and well-calculated running lines, each scoring in the process. Missed 15 tackles from the Crusaders was reflected in a halftime score of 17-21 to Moana.

The second 40 was slightly better managed by the Crusaders, they looked to play to their strengths and keep the ball out of Moana's dangerous players' hands. Their discipline and set piece was still poor, as was their tackle execution but the home team were let off the hook by Moana's discipline and faulty execution at crucial moments.

A full-time score of 38-21 flattered the Crusaders, but they took their chances late to close out the game.

Here's how the Crusdaers rated:

1. Joe Moody - 7

Kicked the game off with a strong scrum performance, winning his side a penalty. Had a few cracks at the Moana line, not winning any post-contact metres but keeping the defence honest. Was called for a penalty that contributed to Moana's continued momentum. Was told off for talking trash to his opposite in the scrum.

2. Codie Taylor  - 6

Ran a great line to score off Mo'unga's linebreak. The lineouts were scrappy for both sides throughout, Taylor probably missed his All Black locking partners in that respect. We're still not seeing the best of Taylor in 2023, he had one or two strong performances to start the season but hasn't featured in the Crusaders' game nearly as much as in previous years, despite the team's injuries.

3. Tamaiti Williams  - 5.5

Strong in the scrum, limited impact elsewhere. Williams just couldn't find his way into the game, his skillset is developing really nicely and the Crusaders could have benefitted from his work in tight, whether it be his dominant running or his distribution play.

4. Quinten Strange - 4

The young locks had big shoes to fill in this one and while they struggled with some of the workload, most notably getting around the park to hit the rucks consistently, there were positive signs on defence. Strange hit a dozen tackles with a lone miss.

5. Dominic Gardiner - 7

Runs some great lines to inject himself into the game. Generally shows a high work rate, as evidenced by his support line to score. Is still developing his nose for the breakdown, he made some dominant collisions when the opportunity presented itself but the Crusaders' forward pack as a whole missed a lot of rucks.

6. Sione Havili Talitui - 7

Again proved to be the Crusaders' most physical tackler, and again was one of their most penalised players. 17 tackles on the night with a single miss along with his five runs is evidence of his work rate.

7. Corey Kellow - 5

Had a strong start, providing dynamic and physical play on defence. Yellow carded for a blatantly illegal turnover attempt after an impressive try-saving chase-down tackle. Moana scored within the following minute which sparked their momentum. Made some good runs but his efforts were undermined by his ill-discipline.

8. Christian Lio-Willie  - 6

As Assistant Coach Scott Hansen said at halftime, the Crusaders weren't protecting their mates, they weren't supporting each other at the breakdown.

9. Mitchell Drummond  - 7

Drummond's box-kicking was more of an influence early in this one, some devastating counterattacks from the Moana backs had him second-guessing and it quickly became apparent that it was in the Crusdaers' best interests to keep the ball out of Moana's hands where posssible.

10. Richie Mo’unga - 7.5

Superb footwork on the counter-attack, beating three players and setting Codie Taylor up for the game's opening try. Has proved his skill as a last line of defence numerous times this season and again made the try-saving tackles, impressively bringing down Timoci Tavatvanawai. With Moana in such fine form on the evening, the Crusaders were best to just weather the storm, slow the game down and win through more structured play. The elusive first five looked reluctant to give in to the slower-paced game when broken play was on offer but obliged in the second half and his tactical game came into its own.

11. Macca Springer - 8

Good defensive anticipation, disrupting multiple Moana attacks early. Didn't find the ball for long stretches but his few chances to come into the game were positive.

12. Dallas McLeod - 7.5

Made a huge number of tackles, standing up to Moana's physicality well. Found himself in a couple of awkward situations with ball in hand, with the potential to find himself isolated but kept his feet and ran well.

13. Jack Goodhue - N/A

Off early with failed HIA.

14. Will Gualter - 6

Did admirably in the nightmare-inducing task of tackling Timoci Tavatavanawai. Caught out by Moana's move off the lineout and was dropped by a rampaging Levi Aumua. Made a couple of good runs, showing good attacking instincts.

15. Fergus Burke - 7.5

Defused a few awkward situations that came his way, and showed nice footwork and tactical kicking. It's a shame Burke doesn't possess the pace to make the most of his running lines and attacking reads.

Replacements:

16. Brodie McAlister - 7

17. Finlay Brewis - 6

18. Seb Calder - 6

19. Jamie Hannah - 6

20. Tom Christie - 7.5

Came on and brought the intensity on the defensive end. Looked more comfortable and composed with ball in hand. Looks like he is still sporting traces of the gnarly black eye he received weeks ago against the Blues.

21. Willi Heinz - 7

22. David Havili - 6.5

Came on early for the injured Jack Goodhue and provided some nice touches but ultimately his team needed more out of his game management skills. Slipped off a few tackles when he should be setting the tone for his young backline in that area.

23. Melani Nanai  - 8

Nanai's first touch back in Super Rugby was a hit up straight at Timoci Tavatavanawai, which went about as well as could be expected. The following touches displayed some silky skills and a beautiful offload to set up his side's game-sealing try.