Wake up Grant Robertson, bullies are everywhere
As Christchurch’s finest stare down the barrel of a Super four-peat, the pivotal role of Richie Mo’unga becomes apparent. Robert van Royen reports.
point crosskick finding van Wyk who made amends and the margin was back to 11 entering the final quarter.
But the Chiefs weren’t going away and the Hurricanes had to repel some raids. After a while they cracked, with Karpik scoring from a lineout rolling maul after spoiling the Hurricanes’ one earlier.
It was valiant from the visitors, but again not enough as the team in yellow put the foot down and eased away.
Extend three fingers and you’re looking at the number of losses Crusaders pivot Richie Mo’unga has featured in since 2017.
As for wins, he’ll crack a halfcentury over the same period, should the red-and-blacks knock off the Highlanders in Christchurch today and be crowned Super Rugby Aotearoa champions.
It would mark four titles in as many years since head coach Scott Robertson took over from Todd Blackadder, amassing a remarkable 58-3-7 record.
As Robertson put it: ‘‘Every coach needs a great quarterback and I’ve certainly got one there. He’s an extremely proud Crusader, and he’s playing like it.’’
Robertson and Mo’unga go back a fair way.
The pair won three provincial titles together with Canterbury between 2013 and 2016, and it was Mo’unga’s performance in the 2016 final – against Tasman – which made it clear the Crusaders were on to a good one.
Fast-forward four years and Robertson feels Mo’unga has never played better.
‘‘No doubt about it,’’ Robertson said, praising both his work with and without the ball.
‘‘Without the ball he has been incredible. Probably the control of the game, his ability to go ‘‘right-eo, now is my time.’ Stand up and do something special.’’
Mo’unga, whose wife Sophie is due to give birth to their first child in the next two weeks, certainly has been drawing plenty of praise this season.
That’s what happens when he leads the competition for points scored (82) and has beaten 34 defenders – only team-mate Will Jordan has beaten more (36) – with his electric running game.
Mo’unga is the fastest Crusader
Crusaders v Highlanders
Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
Today, 3.35pm
Paul Williams
Crusaders $1.11 Highlanders $5.90
Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Tom Christie, Tom Sanders, Quinten Strange, Samuel Whitelock, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Andrew Makalio, George Bower, Oliver Jager, Luke Romano, Sione Havili, Mitchell Drummond, Brett Cameron, Leicester Fainga’anuku.
Highlanders: Mitch Hunt, Josh McKay, Michael Collins, Sio Tomkinson, Jona Nareki, Josh Ioane, Aaron Smith (cc), Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Dillon Hunt, Shannon Frizell, Jack Whetton, Pari Pari Parkinson, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon (cc), Ayden Johnstone. Reserves: Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Jeff Thwaites, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Teariki BenNicholas, Jesse Parete, Folau Fakatava, Ngatugnane Punivai.
Where: When: Referee: TAB odds:
over 10 metres, an asset he uses, along with his shifty feet, to leave defenders in his wake.
Having thrived under Irishman Ronan O’Gara the past two years, the 17-test All Black has been reunited with Scott Hansen, one of two new assistants on the team this year, after O’Gara and Brad Mooar departed.
Hansen coached Mo’unga after he finished school and played for Christchurch club Linwood, and now works with the Crusaders’ inside backs, and is charge of the team’s attack, strategy and game planning.
‘‘He was someone I had a connection with back at Linwood. When I left school, he coached me for Linwood for three years, it’s good to have that connection back,’’ Mo’unga said. ‘‘He can be really hard on me, he is really honest with me, tells it to me straight. He has grown me and I am growing him. I think that’s a healthy relationship.’’
Mo’unga doesn’t need told what’s at stake today.
Still stinging from the team’s home loss to the Hurricanes a fortnight ago, a result which snapped their 36-match unbeaten run on home soil, the team had prepared fittingly.
‘‘Our preparation is thorough, it’s genuine, it’s bone deep. Because I know last time we played out in front of our people we let them down.
‘‘So that’s something that’s inspiring us, to put out a performance for our people.
‘‘Preparation equals performance and that’s something I got told from a young age, and that’s something I take pride in. Making sure there are no stones unturned and I get out there and I’m not surprised by anything.’’
That includes being shifted from first-five, the case against the Chiefs last weekend, when he finished the game at second fiveeighth when Brett Cameron replaced Jack Goodhue.
It was the first time he’d played there at Super Rugby level, and it coincided with wing George Bridge playing centre.
‘‘We’ve got backs that can play anywhere. You put your hand up and wherever you need to go you just go without any questions. That’s the beauty of this team, we all care so much about each other, we will do anything for this team,’’ Mo’unga said. to be