God I hope the 'Tahs can do this. but at the same time I have this nagging feeling that if the Brumbies could choke us for territory then the Crusaders will find it pretty easy too, only they'll be far more dangerous with the field position.
The boys have been awesome all season, but the Crusaders just have so many weapons. Still, can't wait to go and I seriously hope Sydney manages to fill the stadium!
Every week is a different game. Against the Highlanders we killed them with power and precision, against the Reds we were clinical, against the Brumbies it was "they shall not pass". What did they have in common? We won by about 20 points.
We also won't have Peyper, a referee who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. Most of his active decisions were technically correct, even if sometimes he chose insignificant issues to penalise. It was what he didn't penalise that cruelled the game. Not one offside penalty the whole match to try to open up the play. Open season at the ruck didn't let the game flow.
It'll be Walsh or Joubers I reckon - Walsh would be best and a resident in both camps, but I think Joubers will be given the plum because of his "impartiality". He's got a better feel for what's important than Peyper but he does tend to put away the whistle for the big occasion, to the detriment of the game.
The Crusaders have all their big guns back but I don't think they have played well enough all season to worry us. Not one performance in the regular season stood out for quality, though I haven't yet watched my tape of the semi. Their backs have been decidedly average and Carter and Nadolo aside still look average. I don't see Crotty's value at all; AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) will own him. I don't agree about the "so many weapons" I reckon that the 2005 and 2008 Crusader teams would belt them.
What has made the Waratahs so good this year is the number of players who have looked like Champions. Early on I said "Horne's not a winger". Silly me. I wouldn't swap him for Nadolo right now, he's playing fantastic. Fat Cat was (finally) very good Saturday and he's been a weakness most of the season. Hoiles replaced Dennis in his role and he's back to his best Wallaby form. Cliffy's been massive. Beale has been wonderful in a position that everybody said didn't suit him. I could go on.
This has been a great team all season, even in the losses to the Blues and Force I thought we were the better team, just without the luck. There's always nervousness but I was more nervous about the Brumby game than I will be about the Crusaders. I just don't think they will be able to handle our power game.
