Opinion
The Crusaders are Super Rugby champions again with a improbable finals run that saw them rack up a century of points in the quarters and semis, and flip two defeats to the Chiefs in Hamilton in the Final.
How many places does their seventh consecutive success warrant in a form XV?
Equalled the Chiefs record for most tries in a season with 12 and was staggeringly unlucky not to be selected for the All Blacks with his secure kicking game, and often graceful and audacious attack. Ranked in the top 10 for carries, clean breaks, and defenders beaten.
Most of the big names in the Blues regressed in 2023 but Mark Telea was a notable exception, consistently outstanding and statistically the most potent attacking player in the competition. He ranked among the top five in the following categories: tries (12), carries (159), clean breaks (24), defenders beaten (101), metres carried (1716), and offloads (21). His energetic pursuit of work and ability to break the game open was captivating.
The damaging centre was so impressive for the last-placed Pasifika his agent approached the Crusaders seeking an opportunity. He was snapped up immediately by a side that hardly needs him with three All Blacks in midfield already and Dallas McLeod set to join the departing Jack Goodhue in black.
Aumua isn’t the complete article yet with significant improvements required on distribution and defence, but his brute force is undeniable. He ranked in the top 10 for defenders beaten, clean breaks, and offloads.
Second five is a position where everyone struggled this season. Goodhue battled injury but his ability straightening the line, turning over the ball and tackling is undeniable. He made an astonishing 25 tackles in the semi-final against the Blues.
The Crusaders attack always looks more organised and threatening when Goodhue is present, too. A surprise he was overlooked for the All Blacks.
The leading try-scorer in 2023 with 13 was in the top 10 for most carries, metres gained, clean breaks, and defenders beaten. His attack has always been eye-catching, but his defensive improvements have been massive.
Secure underneath the high ball his turnover at the last ruck of the season will long live in Crusaders folklore.
(Photo by Peter Meecham/Getty Images)
Crusaders coach Scott Roberston describes Richie Mo’unga as his Stephen Curry. With seven championships and 1227 points in 109 games, he might have a case for the greatest Super Rugby player of all time.
In 2023 he ranked in the top 10 for metre carried and defenders beaten as he steered the ship with his usual poise, efficiency, and flair. Mo’unga destroyed the Blues in the semi-final and in the decider held his nerve with a sideline conversion of a Codie Taylor try and accurate territorial kicking.
When TJ Perenara was ruled out with injury at the start of the season doom and gloom was forecast for the Hurricanes. Perenara had played 150 of the Hurricanes’ last 179 games.
Roigard struggled as a rookie but came of age with regular minutes and his dynamic running game earned All Blacks selection ahead of incumbents Brad Weber and Folau Fakatava. Roigard scored nine tries. Had Perenara become available for selection he might have struggled to usurp Roigard as a starter.
The Hurricanes talisman almost single-handedly carried his side to victory in the quarter-final against the Brumbies, so good he was like watching a video game character. The genius of Savea is that he chooses his moments to explode, often when his team most needs it, but he is equally adept at fulfilling his less glamorous roles, too.
(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
A turnover won by McReight late in the quarter-final against the Chiefs says all you need to know about him.
The Chiefs busted down the right wing and stumbled into a ruck just short of the line. McReight dashed across from centre field to effect a textbook turnover to keep the Reds in the contest at 22-20. Though the Reds conceded shortly afterward the commitment, technique, and poise from McReight was world-class.
He made 216 tackles across the season, ranking only behind Crusaders openside Tom Christie, who played more games. McReight carries strongly and looks like a deadset certainty to replace Michael Hooper long term.
Valenti was huge for the Brumbies, substituted just once in 14 appearances. He was the second-highest carrying forward in the competition and ranked in the top five for tackles.
Do the Crusaders win the Final without Whitelock? Such a presence calmly coordinating lineout drives in the clutch, niggling at the ruck, making a bundle of tackles, and even forcing a turnover on Brodie Retallick. When the Chiefs beat the Crusaders in Hamilton in April, Whitelock’s disruptive presence was a precursor for what was to come.
Only played eight games, but his value is immeasurable.
Only Jed Holloway won more lineouts than Front, who used all his 6 ft 9, 120kg frame to good effect this season. The Brumbies’ most obvious strength was their lineout and Frost was central to that.
His increased work rate and physicality will make him a key figure in the Wallabies pack. Retallick and Scott Barrett are difficult omissions. Both have been immense.
(Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
A star unleashed. Covered loosehead in the finals but is predominately a tighthead bettered by none on both sides of the scrum. At 6 ft 5 and 144kg, he’s a monster and his increased fitness and mobility combined with destructive tacking has made him the Crusaders’ most important player this season considering the front row injuries.
Started 15 of 16 appearances.
The suppression of his rampant running game, in addition to some unusually errant throwing, was crucial in the Chiefs’ defeat in the Final. Otherwise, Taukei’aho has been a beast with his clinical brutality. The ability to throw the ball to the first-five from the lineout to is an unusual skill.
The Highlanders had a poor season but were rarely bettered in the scrums with De Groot outmuscling most tightheads. He destroyed the Rebels and even managed to trouble the Chiefs. The young All Blacks loosehead is from Gore. He is effective on the carry with nimble hands. A huge prospect.
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