Crusaders too good for sloppy Waratahs

The Crusaders have outclassed the Waratahs at home, continuing their unbeaten season and condemning the Australian conference to yet another winless round.

The Crusaders had the better of the opening minutes, and opened the scoring after ten minutes with a well-worked try to winger George Bridge. As usual the Crusaders basic skills were impeccable, while the Tahs were making error after error. Inaccuracy at the lineout was costing them, and the Crusaders chalked up their second try soonafter, with fullback David Havili breaking through flimsy Waratah defence.

At 12-0 it looked like the floodgates had opened, but the home side fought back admirably. Tolu Latu and Michael Hooper were keeping them in the game, with a number of valuable involvements at the ruck and with ball in hand.

They took advantage of some ill-discipline from the Crusaders, and set up camp in the attacking 22. A try came soonafter, with Hooper driving over from close range after a Jake Gordon dart off the back of a scrum.

This sparked the Crusaders into action, and they scored a beautiful try just minutes later, with Tim Bateman dotting down after an end-to-end series of play which ran the home side ragged. The visitors looked fitter and stronger, and despite a late Rhys Robinson penalty goal they had the game in hand at half time, leading 19-10.

It took just a minute and 53 seconds for the Crusaders to score in the second half, breaking down some paper thin Waratah defence to give Bateman his second. The inexperienced halves pairing of Gordon and Mack Mason were really struggling in defence, and the Crusaders were making breaks at will.

But like the first half, the Waratahs somehow held back the tide, and Jake Gordon scored a try next to the posts after a beautiful backline move. Israel Folau ran a hard unders line, opening the gap for Mack Mason to put Gordon through.

The highlight for home fans was still yet to come, though. Mason was beginning to find his feet, and threw a beautiful cut-out to Cameron Clark, who put Taqele Naiyaravoro in space. Big T then unleashed one of his trademark runs down the sideline, bumping off three Crusaders defenders and scoring out wide. All of a suddent he margin was just four points and the home fans rallied behind their team.

The Crusaders worked back into the game, and extended their lead with a penalty goal. With fifteen minutes to play there was just a converted try in it, and you felt the momentum was with the Waratahs. But again it was errors at critical moments that cost them – a knock-on by Dave McDuling and a crooked lineout throw from Damien Fitzpatrick let the Crusaders off the hook, and they made the home side pay. Substitute Manasa Mataele broke through three Waratah tackles (another all-too-common sight), and the Crusaders scored a few offloads later with Bryn Hall ending up as the man with the meat pie.

Ben Funnell scored a late one to put the game beyond doubt, and give the Crusaders another good win.

Stray Observations

The Waratahs missed 48 tackles. If any one statistic can tell you the story of the game, it’s that one. Add to that a few knock-ons, silly penalties and loose passes and that’s it. You can’t give a team like the Crusaders a chance to counter, or put men in space. The Waratahs did repeatedly, and despite some good attacking play it killed them in the end.

The game was slightly closer than the scoreline suggested, and Waratahs fans shouldn’t be too dejected. They showed some good signs, and played some great footy despite having a very inexperienced backline. It was just the errors that cost them.

Jake Gordon is finding his feet at Super level, and it’s great to see. His form in the NRC last year was red hot, and he’s got a kicking and running game like we haven’t seen from a Tahs halfback. His try was well-taken and he took the pressure of Mason at crucial times. A definite Wallaby chance this year.

The Crusaders won this game as they win most of their games – ruthless execution of the basics, with a bit of flair thrown in. Passes are all in front of the man, offloads go to hand, first-up tackles are made. Add to that they were fitter, stronger and faster and that’s the game, really.

The mobility of the Crusaders forwards is always great to watch. I love Joe Moody – he just pops up in the right place every time. He’s pilfering rucks, hitting short balls, making offloads. A typical Crusader if ever I’ve seen one.

Tolu Latu continued his excellent form, and Michael Cheika might have a very tricky decision to make in June. He’s clearly our best hooker at the moment, and with Stephen Moore looking past his prime it will be interesting to see which way Cheika decides to go.

I liked the play of the Waratah backrow, who kept the Crusaders very honest at the ruck. Jed Holloway is slowly getting back to form, and Michael Wells has looked good off the bench. Hooper was his usual self and Ned Hanigan continues to play well.

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The Game Changer

A double-punch of errors late in the second half by McDuling and Fitzpatrick took the wind out of the Waratah sails. You felt they had momentum on their side and another Rebels-esque finish might be on the cards… but two rookie mistakes and that’s the game gone.

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The G&GR MOTM

Plenty of outstanding performances by the Crusaders, and I’m giving it to my man Joe Moody. As I said above, he just gets around the field so well. Winger George Bridge had a great game, as did Patrick Bateman and Jordan Taufua.

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Wallaby Watch

Sekope Kepu looks to be finding form, as does Will Skelton. Sadly the same cannot be said for Israel Folau, who had a bit of a shocker. He just can’t find space, and his ball security is becoming a concern.

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The Details

Score & Scorers

Crusaders 41
Tries: Bridge, Bateman (2), Havili, Hall, Funnell
Conversions: Hunt 4
Penalties: Hunt

Waratahs 22
Tries: Hooper, Gordon, Naiyaravoro
Conversions: Robinson 2
Penalties: Robinson