Super Rugby team of the week: Crusaders

The Crusaders’ backline looked like it was operating at an entirely different level to the rest of the competition in the opening round of Super Rugby.

There were some fine individual moments in other games – Blues Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea and TJ Faiane stood up – bit nothing compared to the cohesive,

Julian Savea, Charlie Faumuina, and Luke Romano also got a chance, with Savea proving to be a devastating ballcarrier at the World Cup in Britain four years later.

Rather than be cautious, Hansen elected to trust these young players to do a job for him.

While Hansen was able to retain Richie McCaw as captain, and did so through to his retirement after the 2015 World Cup in Britain, Foster has to unearth a replacement for Kieran Read following his retirement from international rugby.

The top candidates to fill the void left by Read are Sam Cane, or Sam Whitelock who has skipped Super Rugby to play in Japan.

Dane Coles and TJ Perenara are co-captains at the Hurricanes, Scott Barrett is leading the Crusaders and Patrick Tuipulotu has got the task of guiding the Blues but are outsiders for the task with the national side.

With Read gone, a new No 8 can either be appointed or the experiment of using Ardie Savea in that position could be expanded by using him on attack and defence.

Now Damian McKenzie has recovered from the knee injury that blew his World Cup dream to bits, and with him intent on focusing on fullback rather than first five-eighth as was the plan under Hansen, Foster has to consider whether to retain Richie Mo’unga at first-five or return Beauden Barrett to the playmaker’s job.

Following his appointment Foster also noted it was up to him to show the public he had a ‘‘sense of direction’’ about where he wants the team to go.

Four months of Super Rugby should provide clarity. heads-up play produced by the Crusaders backs.

Their pack will come under far more heat than the Waratahs managed but if this Crusaders back division gets enough ball they have the weapons to cut teams to shreds. As a result, they dominate Stuff’s first Super Rugby team of the week for 2020.

15. David Havili (Crusaders):

The country’s classiest utility back was as good at No 12 as he was at No 15. Influence on the side is such that Will Jordan and Sevu Reece might have to fight for the No 14 jersey.

14. Will Jordan (Crusaders):

On the fast track to an All Blacks jersey but will need to tighten his defence after Waratahs wunderkind Mark Nawaqanitawase beat him one-on-one.

13. Braydon Ennor (Crusaders):

The Crusaders have made a big call shifting the All Blacks’ incumbent No 13 to accommodate Ennor but his speed is too good to resist.

12. Jack Goodhue (Crusaders):

Subtle kicking game showed he could make a real impact at No 12, offering the Crusaders that right-left foot kicking game at No 10-No 12.

11. Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders):

Looked suspect under the high ball for NZ under20s last year but has clearly worked on his skill base. Hits like a train on defence and is the most powerful wing option since Julian

Savea hit the scene.

10. Aaron Cruden (Chiefs):

Wasn’t perfect but his class helped turn the game against the Blues and he looked in pretty sharp physical condition despite his injury woes in France.

9. Mitchell Drummond (Crusaders):

Not a great weekend for halfbacks but Drummond was the pick of the bunch with a typically constructive performance.

8. Hoskins Sotutu (Blues):