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Waratahs condemn the Crusaders to worst Super Rugby start since 2014

By AAP
Scott Barrett reacts after Crusaders' loss to the Waratahs (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)

The Waratahs have consigned the Crusaders to their worst Super Rugby season start in a decade with a shock 37-24 win over last year’s champions.

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NSW finally gave Australian rugby fans something to cheer about, with five-eighth Tane Edmed orchestrating the convincing victory on Saturday night at Melbourne’s AAMI Park, which is hosting all 12 teams over Super Round this weekend.

Coming on the back of their opening-round loss to the Chiefs, it’s the first time since 2014 that the Crusaders have lost their first two matches in an ominous sign for Rob Penney, who formerly coached NSW.

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Simon Raiwalui on what his new role with World Rugby entails

Former Fiji coach Simon Raiwalui chats about his new role as High Performance Pathways and Player Development Manager at World Rugby.

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Simon Raiwalui on what his new role with World Rugby entails

Former Fiji coach Simon Raiwalui chats about his new role as High Performance Pathways and Player Development Manager at World Rugby.

He took over the most successful team in the competition’s history this year after being sacked by the Waratahs following their winless season in 2021.

Waratahs coach Darren Coleman had an inkling that his troops were up for something special, telling reporters after their final training run he wished he could have a bet on the $10 underdogs.

But even he would have been surprised by the four-try haul, which trumped their 24-21 win over the Crusaders back in 2022 at Leichhardt Oval. The Crusaders scored after just 90 seconds with winger Macca Springer outflanking the opposition but the Waratahs refused to be rattled.

Halves Edmed and skipper Jake Gordon kept their Crusaders’ 20-year-old halves pairing of Noah Hotham and Taha Kemara guessing while the NSW forwards dominated the breakdown battle.

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After Hugh Sinclair scored their first try off a charge down, Edmed piled on the penalties before he slipped through the defence to put Harry Wilson over right on half-time for a 23-10 lead.

The Crusaders drew first blood in the second half with Sevu Reece bagging a second try in the 48th minute, but the Waratahs hit back when Edmed kicked the ball crossfield into the waiting arms of Triston Reilly.

Gordon then pounced on a loose ball and scooted away with the lead blowing out to 37-17. The Crusaders got a late try but it was the Waratahs night to celebrate.

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Comments

10 Comments
A
Alister 216 days ago

I wouldn't be writing the Crusaders off yet,I think the Chiefs are looking awesome (clearly best 10 in competition),but an observation I just want to put out there.After watching Landers v Blues, (Landers could have won),are Landers greatly better than last year or are Blues possibly not as good as last yrar

G
Graham 218 days ago

Aotearoa , enjoy this situation while you can. Sort memories. We miss Richie Mo’unga not Dan Carter. 7 titles Richie Mo’unga while he was there. Genius.

R
Rugby 218 days ago

missing Dan carter

S
Sumkunn Tsadmiova 218 days ago

Losing to an Ozzie franchise. Embarrassing…

B
BMac 218 days ago

Seriously , yet again Havali has a shocker, 3 errors that lead to trys, Good to see hes continuing his poor form of last 3 years including being shown up time & time again in International tests as well..Rob Penny is not a good coach, he had a poor record up North before landing this role..

T
Tim 218 days ago

Guess the Crusaders' winning run of Super comps has to come to an end some time. The beginning of the end?

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JWH 8 minutes ago
Roigard recalled as All Blacks squad for Northern Tour named

Boring selections overall.


Props - Perfect, couldn't have asked for better, these guys are the best in the world atm.


Locks - good, would have liked to see Lord or someone similar, but overall pretty good.


Flankers - what more does Lakai need to do to get a shout? I understand mixing in older players for experience, but Savea and Cane know all of the tricks of the trade, no need for Papalii and Finau. Bring in Kirifi, lovely work off the ball and good frame.


Halfbacks - excellent selection. TJ for experience (hopefully little to no gametime as he has been horrid). Welcome back Roigard, looking fit and strong.


First-fives - come on guys, get somebody new or get Richie Mo back, because DMac is a pitiful 10 and BB hasn't run the cutter properly for years. Plummer is obviously the next option (even if he is horrid), but just try something. Maybe we can see a promotion from the All Blacks XV in the 10 shirt soon.


Midfielders - Proctor better get a run. Other than that, good. Havili is massively underrated and he can injury cover everywhere, plus he has worked with Razor before so he knows what he wants.


Outside Backs- Most promising set of outside backs in the world. Hopefully Love gets some love against Japan and Italy. CC and WJ have been phenomenal. Telea out of form, but hopefully he sorts it out as he is so good when he is in form (even if he sucks on defense).


I look forward to the All Blacks XV selections, they'll tell us who will be in the squad at the next RWC.


I think Razor is trying to get the old guys to pass on their knowledge, so that way when he does bring in more young players that wealth of dark arts isn't completely lost (I hope this is what he's doing, if he isn't I'm going to lose my mind).


Overall, nothing unexpected. Still shocking the lack of depth at 10, and the age of the loose forwards is appauling. Can't wait for Taukei'aho to be back and fit, hopefully Perofeta tears is up like he did against England.

6 Go to comments
J
JW 47 minutes ago
It's time to stop hating on Damian McKenzie, the best 10 in the Championship

My bad, one real miss isn't that bad though. Dmac's obviously got a lot more to his game, he arguably does too much work for the team covering as a full back, taking the contestables and counter attacking, but he's only been playing 10 for two years, and maybe in his youth. It shows in my opinion, and this is where the criticism is laid, and will only been resolved over time. Albornoz is as described in the previous article ranking him higher than Dmac, that BS is replying to, a true ten. He's been at it his whole career, and has already gone through this transition period of find out what is required from a 10 at the top level. In my opinion this is what really counts above this 'all-round' advantage that you want to give him, especially with the criticism being laid on him.


Again, he is simply putting his own opinion forward after others had commented on him compared to, not only their 10's, but how well Argentina and South Africa are playing in general. That is the volume of criticism laid on McKenzies feet, which is the article I think criticisms are more worth of being placed. At least Ben is comparing apples with apples. I also suggest you watching the English games to get a better perspective of how well he can play in varying games. He might not have looked completely assured in those games (his first at getting a run at 10) but he executed superbly and hardly made a mistake.

116 Go to comments
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