TBH, was just waiting for international rugby to start, because Super Rugby has been really low quality in parts.
But this match had excellent quality.
For the Crusaders, a lot of areas in their game are excellent. We will note the tremendous offensive pressure they have placed, but it is defence where I am most pleased. Crusaders are the first team to rush defence in NZ with any sort of commitment. And it shows doesn't it? THe Blues team, used to trampling others with their size and skill, cannot get going. The rush is the ONLY way to defend at the highest tier of rugby, because after so many years, we still havent figured out how to cope with it.
Leicester has been fantastic. Every time he gets it something good happens.
Sam Whitelock in all his usual end of the club season rise in form. Besides the turnovers at lineout and ruck, look at this commitment and accuracy clearing out the ruck when Matera carried it up, allowing quick ball for Hall to score. That ruck clearout was everything.
The centres have played well. Even slow-man Goodhue has put in some dazzle.
Oli Jager, clearly not the most skilled nor the most physically gifted, shows in his rush and his alignment, an excellent understanding of where he is most useful.
For the Blues - lineout shambolic.
But their forwards lack leadership. Someone needs to roll up their sleeves and be a talker, a communicator, a leader.
RTS (Roger Tuivasa-Sheck) in some areas is really awesome.
Beauden has had the much tougher game, but again, shows that he doesn't have that flyhalf quality that comes more naturally to Mouang'a, on territory and momentum.