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The Crusaders' forward pack the trump card for final

Roar Guru
28th July, 2014
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The Crusaders should have no problem overcoming the Blues in Round 14. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)
Roar Guru
28th July, 2014
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1849 Reads

It’s the final everyone expected to see, with Saturday night seeing the Waratahs hosting the Crusaders as both sides do battle to be crowned 2014 Super Rugby champions.

It’s a tale of two sides with contrasting histories. The Waratahs, perennial under achievers, are hoping to end their long and often maligned quest for a maiden crown up against Super Rugby’s benchmark side, who will be seeking their eighth title.

Both sides have shown a willingness to move the ball in 2014, much to the delight of their respective fans, and weather permitting the final should be no different.

The Waratahs are riding a groundswell of goodwill after years of promising so much and delivering so little. The whole rugby fraternity in NSW seems to be in a confident mood that their title drought will come to a screeching halt on Saturday night.

However, they might want to keep that Moet on ice for a little bit longer, as there is the small matter of the competition’s most successful side standing between them and a victory parade.

The Crusaders, who will be playing in their 11th final, will be looking to end their own title drought, one which stretches all the way back to 2008, a massive blemish on a franchise that expects to win every season.

There is an old adage in rugby that goes like this – forwards win titles and the backs decide by how much. The truth of this phrase will likely be reinforced in the final as an All Blacks’ laden Crusaders forward pack will look to get the upper hand over their opponents.

Every member of the Crusaders starting pack has been capped by the All Blacks. The same can almost be said for the Waratahs (and the Wallabies) but the quality of players we are referencing is like comparing real estate prices in the hills of Christchurch to those in Vaucluse, miles apart.

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The Crusaders boast in their armoury the world’s best player in Kieran Reid, one of the world’s greatest ever players in Richie McCaw and the current top lock in world rugby, Sam Whitelock. Add in Wyatt Crockett, Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Dominic Bird and Matt Todd and it’s certainly a pack that will be backing itself to get the edge over its opponent.

Home advantage for the Waratahs will count for something, as will a desperation to finally win the title. Although, as their fans will be well aware, if there is one team that is capable of winning on the road, it is the Crusaders.

The Crusaders too will be equally desperate, with McCaw and Dan Carter, two of the finest players to ever play the game, likely to realise that this could be their last chance to win another crown.

The back lines appear evenly matched. Colin Slade versus Bernard Foley will be an intriguing battle, two players who have had resurgent and excellent seasons and big reasons why their respective sides are still in the competition. The back line keys, however, may in fact be held one position further out though as Carter and Kurtley Beale go head-to-head, the old maestro looking in excellent form.

The Waratahs will be pinning hope on Will Skelton adding some impact from the bench. The youngster had a nice little cameo again last Saturday night, including a blockbusting run which led to Foley’s try.

However it’s hard to see him at this stage ever being any more than a 15-20 minute player, such is his lack of fitness and conditioning. If you watch him closely after he has taken the ball to the line he takes an eternity to get off the ground and get involved again.

The Waratahs will look to throw him on with 15 to go against tiring legs, though the Crusaders forward pack may well have closed the game out by that stage. Forwards win titles after all.

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