Crusaders player ratings vs Reds | Super Rugby Pacific

After a shaky start to the season, the Crusaders have started to string some good wins together and while they entered Queensland with a number of injuries, they're also a team gathering momentum.

It was a tight opening 20, points were hard to come by and the Crusaders eventually decided they'd take what they could get, opening the scoring with three points in the 17th minute.

Three tries followed in the first half, two for the Crusaders through well-executed running lines and one from the Reds off a silky counter-attack instigated by Jock Campbell.

Not too much changed in the second 40, the game was an arm wrestle for long stretches with defence the deciding factor. Fulltime score: 25-12.

Here's how the Crusaders rated:

1. Joe Moody - 7.5

Moody and the Crusaders' front row had good control of the scrum, they applied pressure throughout the game and forced the referee into giving the Reds front row a warning by the 50th minute. Perhaps a bit passive in a few tackles, hanging off Reds players and allowing post contacts metres which translated into front foot ball.

2. Codie Taylor - 6.5

Taylor again was quiet for long stretches of this match, his set-piece work stood up for the most part with just one ill-thrown lineout while the scrum operated strongly.

3. Tamaiti Williams - 7

Williams’ scrummaging stood out this game, earning his side a number of penalties against both the Reds' first and second units. He was one of many that struggled with handling errors, Mo'unga after the game noted the ball was a little slippery which contributed to the game never really finding much of a rhythm.

4. Scott Barrett - 7.5

Barrett's efforts around the park stood out in this match due to the scrappy nature of it, he was hitting rucks all over the park and doing his best to provide a decent platform for his backs to let loose. That being said, his tackle numbers weren't overly impressive and the Crusaders' lineout wasn't as on-song as you'd expect from the reigning champs.

5. Dominic Gardiner - 8

Shows excellent effort in the micro areas around the park, getting up after tackles in a fraction of a second ready for the next play. Shows the odd sign that there’s still some adjusting to do to get used to Super Rugby's pace. Found a great line off Hotham’s shoulder to score late in the first half. Huge effort around the park, had some nice offloads and led his side in tackles.

6. Sione Havili-Talitui - 6

In such a stagnant match, the work was far from glorious and Havili-Talitui along with his loose forwards just had to knuckle down and make tackles. Sione's defence has been more than up to the task so far this season but he did fall off a few tackles in this one.

7. Tom Christie - 7.5

Six rounds in and Christie has played every single minute for the Crusaders. Each round gives you more appreciation for his workload for this Crusaders team, he was again on of the leading tacklers tonight.

8. Christian Lio-Willie - 6.5

Got through his work defensively and racked up 41 metres on his 13 carries with a couple of offloads too.

9. Noah Hotham - 8

One or two wobbles in the 19-year-old’s first start, but plenty of superb plays to outweigh them. A dart around the ruck in the 30th minute set up Gardiner’s try and displayed some of the X-factor that Tasman Mako fans know he's capable of. Off early in the second half.

10. Richie Mo’unga - 7.5

Richie would no doubt be a bit frustrated with having limited opportunities to stretch his legs in this one but marched his team around the pitch well, just was let down by not having such strong secondary options in the kicking duels. Both kickers missed some basic kicks off the tee, adding to the scrappy feeling of the match.

11. Leicester Fainga’anuku -

This guy rarely misses when an opportunity presents itself. Fainga'anuku has excellent timing when he runs his lines off set plays and crossed the white chalk in the 22nd minute as a due reward. Was cut down in a one-on-one with Jordan Petaia with his first touch and threw an offload with no Crusader around to receive, landing straight in the hands of a Reds player.

12. Dallas McLeod -

McLeod's influence on this one wasn't quite as dramatic as in previous rounds, but the subtleties in his game serve the Crusaders well. Delivered a couple of offloads and silky touches that gave contributed to his side's momentum and his physical presence defensively saved a try amongst other

13. Braydon Ennor - 7

Put boot to ball a couple of times and gained some good territory out of it. His pace again proved a great asset in chasing contestable kicks and finding those half gaps to get a few more metres on his runs. Spaced himself well defensively.

14. Pepesana Patafilo - 6.5

Patafilo's defensive instincts have him consistently placed in the right place at the right time, which was needed as he dealt with a mercurial Jordan Petaia in this one. The ball barely touched his side of the pitch.

15. Fergus Burke - 6.5

Another quieter outing for Burke, he was;t able to find opportunities to inject himself and his kicking game was a mixed bag.

Reserves:

16. Brodie McCalister - 7

17. George Bower - 7

18. Seb Calder - 7

19. Jamie Hannah - 7

20. Corey Kellow - 7.5

21. Willi Heinz - 8

Scored what must be the easiest try in history in the 54th minute, simply pushing the ball forward a few centimetres after a strong Tamaiti Williams carry got the ball right next to the try line. Again came through with a clutch play, this time producing a turnover at a time that was perhaps the Reds' last chance of scoring the two tries needed for a comeback.

22. Will Gualter - 7

23. Chay Fihaki - 7