The Crusaders emerged victorious over the Jaguares in a hard-fought, tense final in Christchurch.
In a tight, rainy game with few clear-cut attacking chances or open play, the men in red notched their third title in a row.
Here’s the team that dazzled.
15. David Havili
He made the second-most metres in his team and beat four defenders, and pulled off some vital tackles in defence.
14. Matias Moroni
Moroni made a staggering 97 metres, more than any other player on the field. He also notched four clean breaks and five defenders beaten, going so, so close twice to a try.
13. Braydon Ennor
He was a handful with the ball, racking up metres and breaking tackles but also worked hard in defence.
12. Jeronimo De La Fuente
He outworked his opponent with a heroic 12 carries. He gave it everything but couldn’t steer the Jags to glory.
11. George Bridge
No try for him but was busy and safe at the back. He made some telling hits that kept the Crusaders in it.
10. Richie Mo’unga
Another cool and calm display from the ten. Mo’unga kicked four penalties that secured the win in the end.
9. Bryn Hall
In the battle of the scrum-halves, Hall got the decision over Tomas Cubelli and kept the ball moving quickly ruck to ruck.
8. Kieran Read
His last game for the Crusaders was a memorable one. Read reeled off ten tackles, won two lineouts and helped create the only try of the match.
7. Matt Todd
Todd got the turnover that led to the try and made a team-high 17 tackles. Such a quality performer.
6. Pablo Matera
He is simply a machine. He did not stop all game, attacking and asking questions of the Crusaders’ defence and being a menace at the breakdown.
5. Sam Whitelock
Whitelock did the hard yards making tackles, cleaning out rucks and leading with his actions. He also threw a lovely pass to set up Codie Taylor’s try. A captain’s knock.
4. Guido Petti Pagadizaval
He won five lineouts, made five tackles and got involved with five carries in a brutal encounter.
3. Owen Franks
His last game for the Crusaders only went for 58 minutes, but in that spell he completed seven tackles and kept his side’s scrum on song. Influential.
2. Codie Taylor
Dependable at the lineout, he also crossed for the only try of the night. Taylor had a positive impact with the ball in hand as well.
1. Joe Moody
Moody worked hard with his front row comrades to exert some vital scrum dominance and didn’t shirk the effort in defence or attack either.
jacko
Guest
Neutral i wish i knew how to find the stats but it seems the ABs host france more than most and ireland/Scotland less than most....ireland not touring NZ until 2022 from what i can find.....From my POV the Irish had 2 wins over the ABs on EOYT when the ABs are knackered and have preached their brilliance ever since........I would be happy if NZ cancelled every Nh game against them ever again...And if they then decided to cancel all Sh tours to NZ well I would not care.....Im sick of the NH controlling everything....tell Ireland, scotland and Italy to never bother with any SH tours again as they are the ones stopping the world league because they are too scared they may get relegated....You would think a team like ireland would have backed themselves to remain in div 1 wouldnt you? But Im happy to see them get beaten at 1/4 final level every 4 years...
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Who plays who when NH goes south is decided sometimes ten years ahead. There has been s zero room for extra Tests in June/July. So to accuse the Irish of not wanting to play NZ in NZ is... weak. Pretty much every team up north would love to play NZ more often, both home and away.
Neil
Roar Rookie
I agree with your comments on MotM. Matera was head and shoulders better than anyone else. The Jaguars two blown tries were started by him and could have won the match if they had come off.
Neil
Roar Rookie
You cannot believe that about Joe Moody. He was in trouble from the first scrum and it continued throughout. When a ref choses to stand on his side regardless of the put in, you know something is really wrong. And it was for all to see.
Jacko
Guest
peter the Irish only want to play the ABs in the NH on EOYT when the ABs are knackered...they havnt played in NZ since 2012....Weak.....
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Except if your prose reminds of Oscar Wilde, your home brewed beer tastes like Guniess, or your guitar playing sound like the Edge?
piru
Roar Rookie
* any similarities or references to the Irish, alive or dead, is coincidental
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Using the stats on the Super Rugby website Ben.
Peter
Guest
“Standing shoulder to shoulder...” piru, was the reference to the Irish, whose defence showed how to stop the ABs, deliberate or happy coincidence?
Peter
Guest
Ben, previous comments from charly_777 indicate that he knows quite a bit about rugby. I agree with him about the meanness of the Crusaders’ defence.
piru
Roar Rookie
The Crusaders remind me in football, those teams that make a goal and put their 11 players in the goal to avoid the tie … mean! They remind me of a Roman century, standing firm shoulder to shoulder and holding off attacks as a unit. Also they wear red
Ben
Guest
What!!?? You're obviously a soccer guy with little to no knowledge of rugby.
charly_777
Guest
The Crusaders remind me in football, those teams that make a goal and put their 11 players in the goal to avoid the tie ... mean!
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Another good team John. I may have sneaked Orlando in there; though he was always threatening...
Ben
Guest
Interesting your stats have Moroni having run 97m, more than anyone else. I see on Fox Sports stats he ran 116m and Matera 100m. Lies, damned lies..... I thought Matera was outstanding. A few Crusaders supporters on the radio and a couple of Crusader mates cant believe the motm can be given to a guy on the losing side. Why not? He was head and shoulders the best player on the park. A note for the ref in this day and age when they only get a mention for their perceived errors. He hasnt got a mention anywhere. What does that say? Well done ref. Also, i know we cowtow to the northern hemisphere in terms of tv coverage, but 1930hrs in July in Chch? Gee imagine 1430hrs game with no heavy dew.
Hazel Nutt
Roar Rookie
For me, Orlando was just about the best on the field. Best I’ve seen him play for a long time.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
My compliments. I would have picked the exact same 15 players. Like many others, I also have Pablo Matera as the MOTM, and with honorary mentions for Whitelock, Todd, and Mo'unga.