Princes of darkness 20 – Tahs 12
During the week Mark Hammett commented that, in terms of intensity, this was going to be a test match and he was spot on. These two teams went hammer and tongs, both refusing to be intimidated by what was on the line, and the sense of occasion. In the end it was the Crusaders ability to play rugby in the half of the field they chose to, through their vast collective experience of winning, that took their seventh super rugby title.
It was also a game of conundrums. In the first half the ‘Saders had upwards of 75% possession, and yet went in at the break 2 tries to 1 down at 11-12. They had camped in the Tahs half of the paddock, but ran into the heroic last man standing defence that the Tahs have made their calling card in 2008. In contrast, the men from New South Wales had only two attacking chances and Lachie Turner, choosing the exact right match to get back to his best, took them both beautifully.
The first try (highlight below) came after 9 phases of play. The ball started at a line-out on the other side of the field, which the Tahs took wide via Norton-Knight after a couple of phrases through the middle. From there a handful of pick and drives, inching nicely into the Cantabrians 22 and then this gem of a cross-field from Beale, that perfectly isolates Carter. Only 8 minutes down on the clock.
The clip of the next try in the 26th minute is a good vignette of the game, as it shows a) the pace at which the whole Crusader team moves up in both attack and defence, their trademark, and b) the pressure the Tahs put themselves under too many times through the lack of a tactical kicking game. (Just quietly I look forward to Aussie Robbie injecting both of these into the Wallabies).
The Tuiali’i try below a minute before half time was one of a few the ‘Saders might have had if it wasn’t for otherwise strong Tah defence and the odd poor decision from the home side.
So the second half was set for a humdinger, and although there were no tries and therefore no video highlights, it didn’t disappoint. The Tahs came out with a better attitude in terms of ball security, and despite a penalty to put it 14-12, they were starting to get into their stride when a crucial 10 minute period of play came along at the 54th minute.
First off, from some turn over ball the Crusaders yet again found acres of space at the back, hoofed the pill 50 yards down and then, with Rob Horne (who didn’t seem to get into top gear) and Tuqiri scrambling back, the ensuing bobbling ball found a swarm of red jerseys with the prop Wyatt Crockett dotting down.
That could have been game over except that the decision was more than reversed when Brad Thorne was sin-binned for a punch on Vickerman in backplay that the NZ camera crews miraculously couldn’t find. So, it looks like the Tahs have the upper hand, except when Beale goes down 2 minutes later with injury and leaves the field.
Opinions on KB are like arseholes, everyone’s got one. Is he the goods or not? Tonight I believe he took another big step forward with far more confident running and defensive play. But the ultimate indication of his importance to this back-line came after he left the field, when the Tahs immediately lost their shape, and with it, ability to attack or win this game. That’s a pretty big impact for a 19 year old.
The game slugged on, replacements being made and the Tahs again stoic in defence. While Turner got the tries in this game, it’s no doubt who got the G&GR Man of the Match – the captain Phil Waugh who has played out of his skin all season and pulled the Tahs arses out of the fire numerous times in this game with steals and big tackles.
In the end though the pressure of territory that the ‘Saders put on was too much, with Carter lobbing over a drop-goal in 70th and then another penalty in the ‘73rd to make it 20-12. The Tahs played a great game out of their own half, and probably would have beaten just about any other side tonight, international or not. But over 80 minutes against this side with no territory, you ain’t gonna make it.
Bye bye Link. Hellooo Robbie.
For Crusaders:
Tries: Tuiali’i
Pens: Carter 4
Drop: Carter
For Waratahs:
Tries: Turner 2
Cons: Beale
Yellow card: Thorn, punching (Crusaders, 55 min)
Crusaders: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Scott Hamilton, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andrew Ellis, 8 Mose Tuiali’i, 7 Richard McCaw (c), 6 Kieran Read, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Ti’i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Steve Fualau, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Reuben Thorne, 19 Nasi Manu, 20 Kahn Fotuali’i, 21 Stephen Brett, 22 Sean Maitland.
Waratahs: 15 Sam Norton-Knight, 14 Lachlan Turner, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (c), 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Dan Vickerman, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Will Caldwell, 19 Beau Robinson, 20 Brett Sheehan, 21 Matt Carraro, 22 Timana Tahu.
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Touch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Tags: adam freier, al baxter, beau robinson, benn robinson, brett sheehan, craig joubert, crusaders, dan vickerman, daniel carter, dean mumm, final, greg somerville, kurtley beale, lote tuqiri, luke burgess, matt dunning, NSW waratahs, phil waugh, post match review, result, rob horne, rocky elsom, video highlights, will caldwell, yellow card, youtube
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Nail on the head Matt. once KB left, we lacked penetration (something ive been accused of once too often)….Sorry, back to the rugby…although two-dads filled in well at #10, he just lacked that flair that KB has. Im sure im not the only one that was left shaking their heads at the many times KB passed inside his 22, chipped in danger, fell back from a pass or seemed to be running aimlessly. But fuck me if ONE of those moves had pulled off, the bandwagon would be fired up again. Finally, the main ammo people had against him – his defence – was quite strong for him today. Twice he was isolated on the flank and twice he put in effective tackles which prevented tries.
But what lost it for us today was the turnovers in the second half. Ive not looked at the stats, but it seemed that everytime we strung a few phases of quick ball together (and your Joeys mate gave PLENTY of quick ball today), they seemed to pilfer. And not just Captain Tackles, but whoever was there.
I THINK the two things that struck me the most was that ‘Tahs not being able to take advantage of the man advantage and secondly when Beale left the game. He does some things that scare you, but Beale played a realy good game. The try the ‘Tahs scored on the crossfield kick looked like something out of Aussie rules. As much as I hate the term ‘morale victory’, the ‘Tahs showed a lot of heart, and more than a few of these guys will be wearing Wallaby shirts. In the end, it was just a really well played, well fought game. If only most World Cup games could be as much fun to watch as this one was today.
You hit it WM. The ‘Saders hit the tackle in numbers everytime and milked the frees (they’re also masters at going off their feet on the wrong side, but hey).
PS – sorry about the penetration issues
ND – well said. A high pressure game, but flare and points a plenty. Someone should send TF a copy of how rugby can be played!
It was such a good game that even the horses got aroused…
Hehe. what a freaky, 6 fingered ending to a good match
Perhaps the horse got confused when Waugh praised the Crusaders…
…and then got booed for it.
The sooner they split off and form their own country the better.
“Finally, the main ammo people had against him – his defence – was quite strong for him today. Twice he was isolated on the flank and twice he put in effective tackles which prevented tries.“
Are you kidding? What about a certain tackle late in the second half where he was caught behind the tryline hoping he might magically repel Mose Tu’ali???
OTOH KB really did shine, I am a doubter but I thought he showed a hell of a lot of vision and composure.
As you note he shone especially by comparison!! Comparison, in particular, to Phil Waugh and Norton-Knight. Those two had to be responsible when KB was off and they were a man up but they did nothing, the game plan was moronically poor (they are a man down, sure we’ll find a gap somehow) and the opportunity went.
KB admitted as much in the post-match comments – noting that there were tons of occasions when the big guys were isolated on a wing against Lachie or Lote, etc. Not to mention that even schoolboy stuff (hit up close, repeat, repeat, swing it) looked like it would have split the Crusaders apart at that stage. But no-one tried that! Not Burgess’ fault, he was the least experienced from no 1 to 12!
They would have been better off putting Tahu at first five solely to kick or pass, he can do both with reasonable composure.
Well we lost, but we put up a hell of a fight. Listened to the game via Sportsradio NZ online, wished I could have seen it. Onwards and upwards for the Tahs next season!!
And on a sour note, Stephen Jones in The Times rubbished both this game and the Heineken Cup final. Clearly the man has some sort of love affair with England, and though nominally Welsh, displays the zeal of the recent convert.
Scotty in London
Scotty in London.
Remember Hitler was an Austrian, Napoleaon was from Corsica etc…
That’s Jones for you. He writes really badly too
I found myself angrily going to look for what Jones had written and then realised that it would be completely pointless garbage anyway.
Best just not to look.
I have not read Stephen Jones’ rant rubbishing both finals..I guess I would have to ask him just WHAT kind of game WOULD tickle his fancy? Both games were filled with drama, some good tries and great tackling. If you could not find anything positve out of either final, Jones either needs to switch to de-caf, or maybe switch to watching NASCAR, Bowling or rythmic gymnastics, because I sure don’t want to have such a wanker like him associated with the sport of rugby.