Chiefs player ratings vs Crusaders | Super Rugby Pacific

The Chiefs have beaten the Crusaders 34-24 in an all-time classic Super Rugby Pacific clash at Hamilton’s FMG Stadium.

Led by star playmaker Damian McKenzie, the Chiefs snatched the lead back with just seven minutes to run on the clock, and they didn’t look back from there.

The win was the Chiefs’ ninth of the campaign, as they extend their lead at the top of the table – and continue their dominance over both the Crusaders and New Zealand opposition this season.

Here’s how the Chiefs rated.

15. Shaun Stevenson – 8/10

After an uncharacteristically quiet first half, I wondered whether Shaun Stevenson would find his way to the try line against the Crusaders. The high-flying outside back has made try-scoring a habit this season, but didn’t come close during the opening 40 minutes.

But right on time, Stevenson broke the game open with a try late in the piece. This five-pointer was his ninth of the campaign, as he extends his lead at the top of the try-scoring charts. Stevenson had also sent teammate Brodie Retallick over for a score earlier in the night.

14. Emoni Narawa – 8

Emoni Narawa didn’t have many opportunities to star on Saturday night, but the winger made most of what he got. Without a doubt, Narawa was one of the Chiefs’ best against the Crusaders – finishing with an incredible 90 running metres from six carries, having made two clean breaks, and beating one defender as well.

13. Daniel Rona – 6.5

Daniel Rona has been one of the finds of this year’s Super Rugby Pacific season, but much like a few of his teammates, it just wasn’t his night on Saturday. While the Chiefs were brilliant, Rona failed to stand out like he has in the last few weeks.

Rona only ran the ball three times and made four passes – but one of them was a brilliant cut-out pass in the first half. Rona held his own in defence as well, having finished with seven tackles and one miss.

12. Rameka Poihipi – 7

Rameka Poihipi had a quiet night against the Crusaders, or at least he didn’t stand out as much as he usually does. Poihipi finished with 100 per cent tackle accuracy from six attempts, and also ran the ball five times for a tough 15 metres.

11. Etene Nanai-Seturo – 6.5

To an extent, this rating may be considered somewhat harsh. Etene Nanai-Seturo worked tirelessly in an effort to get involved, but the ball just didn’t come his way too much – certainly not with the try-line within range.

The former All Blacks Sevens star managed to beat three defenders from his four carries, ran for 36 metres, and also got stuck in on the defensive side of the ball with eight tackles. Nanai-Seturo was replaced midway through the second half for Bryn Gatland.

10. Damian McKenzie – 9

Payer of the match, and if you’ve been following the RugbyPass’ MVP leader board for the season, McKenzie is the new frontrunner for that accolade. The flyhalf has been brilliant all season, and that trend continued with another masterful display against the Crusaders.

McKenzie got off to a slow start. Whether it was nerves or just an inability to execute at the time, the pivot made some errors – he had two kicks charged down in the opening 22 minutes, and these nearly led to tries. But McKenzie made amends throughout the match, and then some.

The 40 Test All Black was sensational off the kicking tee, and ended up with 19 points and one try assist to his name. With the game in the balance, McKenzie created something from nothing to send Shaun Stevenson over for a late score.

McKenzie also played a key part in Brodie Retallick's try, and made a try-saving tackle on Braydon Ennor in the second half. Sensational.

9. Brad Weber – 6.5

It wasn’t a bad showing from Chiefs co-captain Brad Weber on Saturday night, but it wasn’t great either. The All Black failed to make a noticeable impact on the match before he was replaced by Cortez Ratima inside the opening 10 minutes of the second half.

Weber tried to make an impact but it just wasn’t his night. While the halfback made 39 passes and finished with 100 per cent tackle accuracy, he didn’t exactly set the game alight with his performance.

1. Aidan Ross – 7

Prop Aidan Ross put in a solid shift against the defending Super Rugby Pacific champions. Just to start with, the Chiefs largely controlled the scrum battle against the Crusaders – and Ross deserves praise for this feat.

But Ross was generally impactful around the park, having run the ball a few times with intent and purpose. The 27-year-old was especially impressive on defence though, having made 13 stops from as many attempts.

2. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 8

All Blacks and Chiefs hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho was a man on a mission against the Crusaders. Taukei’aho was especially impressive side of the ball, having made a staggering 20 tackles – and he didn’t even play the full 80 minutes.

Taukei’aho hit all but one his targets at the set-piece as well, and also got stuck in with some strong carries in attack. Another phenomenal performance from a world-class talent.

3. George Dyer – 7

Much like his front-row partner in crime Aidan Ross, prop George Dyer was quite good at the set-piece. Dyer won a couple of penalties at the scrum during the first 40 minutes, as he forced his opposite Joe Moody into some errors.

Dyer also made his mark around the field of play, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The prop made 12 tackles, and also ran the ball three times.

4. Brodie Retallick – 8.5

Lock Brodie Retallick hasn’t really had a bad game this season, and that trend continued in round 10. In the biggest match of their season so far, veteran Retallick led by example against the defending Super Rugby Pacific champions.

Retallick was everywhere – whether it was in attack, defence or around the breakdown, the All Black made an obvious impact. The second rower crossed for a try in the second half, and was otherwise sensational around the park.

The Test centurion ran the ball nine times and also made 13 stops on the defensive side of the ball. I’ve said it before and I’ll probably say it again, but Brodie Retallick continues to redefine the term ‘work horse.’

5. Tupou Vaa’i – 7

All Black Tupou Vaa’i made a noticeable impact against the Crusaders. The lock was a menace at the set-piece, and also got stuck in around the field. Vaa’i finished with 11 tackles from 12 attempts, and also carried had a couple of strong carries on the night.

6. Samipeni Finau – 6.5

Samipeni Finau went missing for periods of the match against the Crusaders, and was later replaced in the 48^th minute. The Chiefs flanker has been great this season, but was kept at bay against the reigning champions. While Finau was brilliant on the defensive side of the ball with 12 tackles, he only touched the ball twice.

7. Sam Cane – 8

Ahead of this year’s Super Rugby Pacific season, there weren’t many players under as much external pressure as Sam Cane – and that’s pressure from fans, not necessarily selectors. But time and time again, Cane has silenced his critics with sensational performances for the Chiefs.

Cane led by example against the title holders on Saturday, having run the ball six and making 14 stops on defence.

In an interview on Weekend Sport with Jason Pine, All Blacks coach Ian Foster revealed that he knows who his captain is – after performances like this, it’d be very hard to question Cane as the right man for the job.

8. Luke Jacobson – 7.5

Let’s start with the bad, because that’ll only highlight the good even more. Jacobson was yellow carded in the second half, and the Crusaders made their one player advantage count. But once he returned, the All Black made amends.

By the end of the match, backrower Luke Jacobson hade made an incredible 17 stops on defence – that’s sensational for an 80 minute performance, but he was in the bin for 10 of those.

Replacements:

16. Tyrone Thompson – 7.5
17. Ollie Norris - 7
18. John Ryan – 6.5
19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi – 6
20. Pita Gus Sowakula - 7
21. Cortez Ratima – 7.5
22. Bryn Gatland – 6.5
23. Lalomilo Lalomilo - 6