Waratahs flyhalf overcome with emotion after shock win over Crusaders
The NSW Waratahs are savouring a win for the ages after lighting up Leichhardt Oval with a rousing 24-21 Super Rugby Pacific victory over the mighty Crusaders.
The Waratahs turned on the razzle dazzle, then resisted a fierce second-half fightback from the 12-times competition champions to claim their first New Zealand scalp in three years.
“Let’s do this fast boys, I’ve got a lot of beer to drink,” jubilant Waratahs coach Darren Coleman said at his post-match press conference.
Former sevens star Dylan Pietsch had a blinder, the winger bagging the game’s first try in the opening minute in a dream start for the hosts.
Pietsch ran himself so ragged he had to be replaced with eight minutes remaining of a pulsating contest between the two great trans-Tasman rivals.
Fellow winger Mark Nawaqanitawase also crossed early as the Waratahs stunned the Crusaders to lead 14-0 after only 10 minutes.
Winless last season but now emerging as serious title contenders this year, the Waratahs received a standing ovation at halftime — having kept the Crusaders scoreless in an enormous defensive display to complement their champagne attacking rugby.
The Tahs also dominated the breakdown, with the tireless flankers Michael Hooper and Charlie Gamble effecting eight turnovers to the Crusaders’ one.
But the Crusaders were always bound to test the Tahs’ mettle in the second half.
NSW captain Jake Gordon on Friday stressed the importance of having 15 players on the field at all times, after being reduced to 13 men early in last week’s frustrating loss to the Chiefs.
Gordon wouldn’t have been pleased to see No.8 Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco being yellow carded for illegally holding a player up after a Crusaders penalty try early in the second stanza.
Yet the Waratahs held out while a man down for 10 minutes before the Crusaders’ relentless pressure eventually told when Sione Havili Tal itui forced his way over to cut the margin to three p oints on the hour mark.
The Crusaders, though, copped some of their own medicine when Hamish Dalzell was red-carded for a dangerous tackle on Hooper, who had to leave the field in a dazed state.
The Waratahs took full advantage of their one-man advantage with a rolling maul penalty try that also led to Crusaders flanker Pablo Matera being yellow-carded.
Down to 13 men and by 10 points on the scoreboard, the champion Crusaders rallied with a late try to Fletcher Newell but the Waratahs couldn’t be denied a memorable win.
Only their second defeat in their past 27 clashes with Australian opposition, the Crusaders paid the full price for resting four All Blacks, including star playmaker Richie Mo’unga.
The victory reduced young Waratahs fly-half Tane Edmed, the son of former Balmain Tigers prop Steve Edmed, to tears.
“I don’t know what to say, honestly,” Edmed told Stan Sport on the very same ground on which his father made his name 30 years ag o.
“I’ve got 30 friends and family up there in the stands. I love these boys the crowd tonight was just outstanding.
“I can’t believe it.”
When dem feels crash home live on TV after beating the Crusaders 💙#WARvCRU | Credit: @StanSportRugby pic.twitter.com/UGNlu2hdmY
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 30, 2022
Coleman said it was an emotional win for the entire franchise.
“It just keeps building momentum. We had the biggest crowd in two or three years today,” he said.
“I think your average punter who put s*** on us is starting to see that we’ll have a crack and we’re a team worth following.
“We may not be perfect but we’ll keep fighting to the end and I reckon that’s all that people really want to support.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Completely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to comments