Crotty concerned about threats from Canes
Throw a net over Beauden Barrett and then go chase the others.
Crusaders second five-eighth Ryan Crotty didn’t utter those exact words when asked about the Hurricanes’ major threats ahead of the Super Rugby semifinal on Saturday night, but he still got his point across.
If the Crusaders are to have any hope of retaining their crown, and host either the Lions or Waratahs in Christchurch for the final on August 4, they need to do everything within the World Rugby law book to shut down Hurricanes first-five Barrett at AMI Stadium.
‘‘We have to be really prepared for their kicking game – I think Beaudie is one of the best kickers of the ball in world rugby,’’ Crotty said. ‘‘Our back three will have be really ‘on’ there.’’
Given Crotty has been privy to close-up vision of Barrett’s tactical nudges during their time together with the All Blacks, he’s qualified to offer insights into what makes his right foot so potent. Cross kicks, bombs or wipers into space. He can do the lot.
Barrett is the most vital cog in the Hurricanes’ attacking machine, but it would be naive to believe he does everything on his own. Because he doesn’t.
Backs TJ Perenara, Ngani Laumape, Jordie Barrett and Nehe Milner-Skudder were all good enough to be in the All Blacks squad that played France in June, and Ben Lam was unlucky to miss the cut.
‘‘They have really strong ball carriers and they play with tempo and turnover ball really well,’’ Crotty added. ‘‘It is like any side, the less turnovers you give them and the more first-up tackles you make, the better.’’
Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd is a believer that to give teams goforward it makes good sense to have a ‘‘bully’’ in the midfield.
He’s got a solid customer in Laumape, who is expected to wear No 12 once again. If the Crusaders elect to use a drift defence, it will be up to first-five Richie Mo’unga to cut down Laumape unless coach Scott Robertson elects to swap him with fullback David Havili when
defending from set pieces.
Laumape can be used to try and isolate players, and who can forget the way he repeatedly ran at British and Irish Lions firstfive Dan Biggar when they met the Hurricanes in Wellington last year.
‘‘He is a tough man to tackle, as most 10s and midfielders have found out playing against him,’’ Crotty noted. ‘‘I guess Ngani is that challenge in the midfield, but they have got game breakers across the field.’’
If the competition wasn’t split into conferences the Hurricanes would have placed second. On that rationale this clash is between the top two teams, and some may view it as the final that isn’t.
If Seta Tamanivalu recovers from the head knock he suffered during the 40-10 win over the Sharks in the quarterfinal, Robertson appears certain to list him on the right wing.
Joe Moody, who was moving freely when the team trained in the St Andrew’s College gym on Monday, is expected to replace Tim Perry at loosehead prop.
The Crusaders beat the Hurricanes 24-13 when they last met in Christchurch two months ago. That’s history, said Crusaders assistant coach Brad Mooar.
‘‘We put on a performance that we thought was pretty clinical, but that won’t be enough this time,’’ Mooar said. ‘‘In the semifinal the big players get up and we expect Beauden Barrett to bring his best game, as will all their players. We have to be at our best to beat the best.’’