But the Tahs lost the game pure and simple.
agree 100%.
yes there were some questionable reffing decisions, but the tahs lost that game. there was a moment about ten to fifteen minutes into the second half when the tahs were up 10-22, and the crusaders bombed a set-piece move with a forward pass. the crowd groaned - nothing was working for the crusaders. i remember clearly at that moment thinking "we've got this". and then it all went downhill. it was as if the team also sensed that moment, but instead of going in for the kill decided to stop for a rest and take a breather.
then after their second half try the crusaders started charging into the breakdown with an intensity previously missing and you could just see the game slipping away from the tahs. that last 20 minutes was agonising to watch - i couldn't believe they'd let that game go.
the ball retention and phase play in the first half was simply brilliant. it was proof of the type of play that every frustrated tahs fan knows the team is capable of.
but i'm trying to take in the bigger picture here. whilst i was massively frustrated at losing that game, i can see the longer-term benefits. i love this style of play. it was also there in the first half against the chiefs. i love that when the tahs win a scrum or lineout in their own 22, their first movement is to pass and run, rather than kick straight for touch. i love the confidence they have in their running game. they are developing well into a team who can move the play freely around the park, whilst also having the fitness to match the movement.
17 phases for that try in the first half, i can imagine every tahs fan was on their feet pumping their fists in the air - how good was it! and hooper's speed around dagg to feed betham to hold off four or five swarming crusader's defenders was another fist pumping moment.
the loss sucked, but the portents are good.