The Crusaders vice captain was also substituted after 50 minutes and didn’t look at his strongest overall, but couldn’t leave too much of a mark because of the openness of play during his time on the field.
3. Fletcher Newell – 4
Went down with a leg injury after an awkward fall in a tackle. Looked good defensively with four tackles in his half hour performance.
4. Antonio Shalfoon – 7
Much more effective in defence than in attack, but held his own throughout the game and didn’t allow his opposition too much room to move when they came near him.
5. Jamie Hannah – 6
Produced one turnover and made some strong runs on attack, but did lose the ball a couple of times. Taken off just after 50 minutes.
6. Dom Gardiner – 6
Did a lot of grunt work with his carries and completed plenty of tackles. Produced a solid game all round, but didn’t cause the Hurricanes too many issues overall.
7. Johnny Lee – 9
Promoted to the starting XV before kickoff because of an injury to Ethan Blackadder and put in a positive performance, especially with the ball in hand. Great offloads to help put his team in dangerous positions. Excellent work in defence as well with three turnovers, took his opportunities very well.
8. Christian Lio-Willie – 8
Thumping runs through the middle of the park and was eventually rewarded for his efforts with a try near the end of the first half. Was slightly less impactful in the second half, but didn’t look flustered at all by the Hurricanes.
9. Noah Hotham – 7
Effective with his kicking early in the contest and finished off a great move to put the Crusaders ahead midway through the first half. He was a real nuisance for the Hurricanes to deal with, but was taken off just after halftime.
10. Rivez Reihana – 3
Taken off before the 10-minute mark for a HIA, but wasn’t too effective with his time on the pitch.
11. Sevu Reece – 10
Brilliant offload to set up the move for the opening try of the game, which he also scored. Also helped to set up Hotham’s try late midway through the first half. Strong performance all-round for his 100th Crusaders match and was able to convert his own try in the second half.
12. David Havili – 6
The Crusaders captain always looked dangerous with the ball in hand and was instrumental in his team’s second try. Worked well with Dallas McLeod in the midfield, but was substituted just after halftime.
13. Dallas McLeod – 7
A calming presence in the midfield who came through with industrious work throughout the match. Just as effective in defence as in attack.
14. Chay Fihaki – 8
Good work with a couple of line breaks, but was outstanding defensively and shut down any attack coming down his side very well.
15. Johnny McNicholl – 8
Good line breaks and work under the high ball, finished off a good try and set up a few more with some impressive passing. Caused the Hurricanes defence too many problems for them to handle.
Bench:
16. Manumaua Letiu – 5
Came on for Codie Taylor after 50 minutes and produced a try as well.
17. Finlay Brewis – 5
On for Bower in the second half and came through with five tackles.
18. Seb Calder – 4
On for Fletcher Newell after half an hour of play, but was then substituted later in the game. Didn’t look too strong in the scrum overall.
19. Liam Jack – 5
On for Jamie Hannah just after 50 minutes and slotted in to his role well, keeping the game flowing and the Crusaders on top.
20. Oli Mathis – 5
Came on for Johnny Lee after an hour of play, but came up with seven tackles and five carries during his short time on the pitch.
21. Kyle Preston – 6
On just after halftime and scored a try to top off a good game for the home side. Was popping up to support the Crusaders dominant attacking play.
22. Taha Kemara – 7
Entered the contest early for Rivez Reihana. Injected plenty of pace in to the Crusaders attack and performed well with his kicking overall.
23. Cooper Roberts – 5
Came on for captain Havili just after halftime to make his debut for the Crusaders. Looked very keen to support the team in attack.
Hurricanes
1. Xavier Numia – 5
Off at halftime with Lomax, but had little chance to make an impact in attack. However, he did play well defensively and the Hurricanes looked worse in that aspect when he and the rest of the front row came off.
2. Raymond Tuputupu – 4
Off just after halftime but did his best on the defensive side with 10 tackles.
3. Tyrel Lomax – 4
Return to the front row after two months out with an ankle injury and only lasted for the first half. Took on a few carries and completed four tackles during his shift.
4. Hugo Plummer – 5
Came through with 14 tackles but this wasn’t enough to stop the Crusaders overrunning the Hurricanes in the second half.
5. Isaia Walker-Leawere – 4
Taken off near the end of the first half for a head collision with teammate Arese Poliko, but showed some good defensive work with five tackles to his name.
6. Brad Shields – 5
The Hurricanes captain came through with a try to respond quickly to the Crusaders’ opener. Off at 55 minutes and tried his best to be a nuisance while on the pitch, but the Crusaders were too strong for him to make much of an impact.
7. Cooper Flanders – 5
A tough game for Flanders to debut in, but made 18 tackles – the second highest total for the Hurricanes in the game.
8. Arese Poliko – 6
Did his best in defence, producing a game high 20 tackles in just his second cap for the Hurricanes. Despite his best efforts the Crusaders were too strong for him and all other Hurricanes players to handle.
9. Cam Roigard – 6
Returned from injury and was the Hurricanes most dangerous attacking option. Always a nuisance for the opposition, but was taken off at halftime.
10. Callum Harkin – 6
Outside of Roigard was the Hurricanes player who tried to test the Crusaders defence the most in the middle of the field, particularly with a few chips in behind, but these tended to come to nothing. Good work off the kicking tee when called upon.
11. Kini Naholo – 5
Very good defensive work on his own try line, but didn’t have too many opportunities to show how good he could be in attack.
12. Jone Rova – 5
Happy to run with the ball in hand, but didn’t put his opposition under too much pressure.
13. Josh Timu – 5
Made his debut for the Hurricanes tonight, but had previous Super Rugby experience with the Highlanders and Sunwolves. Made plenty of tackles but unable to produce much with the ball in hand.
14. Taniela Filimone – 4
Replacing Fehi Fineanganofo on his debut was a tough task for the Tongan international and he was put under plenty of pressure with much of the Crusaders attack coming down his flank. Unable to do much going forward either, but had little opportunity with how dominant the Crusaders were. A tough day at the office all round.
15. Josh Moorby – 4
Off just after 50 minutes and unable to be too effective in attack or defence.
Bench
16. Jacob Devery – 4
On for Tuputupu just after halftime and came through with 11 tackles, but this wasn’t enough to stop the Crusaders.
17. Pouri Rakete-Stones – 5
On at half time and came through with a try after plenty of patient play, also had some good work in the scrum – probably the only area where the Hurricanes were on top in this game.
18. Tevita Mafileo – 4
On for Lomax at halftime, but had little to work with.
19. Tom Allen – 4
On for Isaia Walker-Leawere just before half time. Couldn’t help his side too much during his time on the pitch.
20. Matolu Petaia – 3
Came on for Brad Shields, but wasn’t as impactful as his captain.
21. Jordi Viljoen – 6
On at halftime for Roigard and did his best to cause the Crusaders trouble, but the defence he faced was too strong for him to handle.
22. Lucas Cashmore – 4
On for Naholo at 65 minutes. Was asked to do more in attack than defence, but the Crusaders were too strong defensively for him to make a major mark on the match.
23. Bailyn Sullivan – 4
Made his 50th appearance, on for Moorby at fullback and had a couple of decent runs.
