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It can be a tough business being a Waratahs fan living in Canberra. For years I have been told all about the superior ‘culture’ of the Brumbies and the supposedly egregious way in which Sydney media overlooks the team from the ACT.
This is unlike the extensive coverage of the other Australian teams in the Canberra press.
To be fair its been pretty tough to argue. As the Brumbies have rolled to two Super Rugby titles and four grand final appearances, the Waratahs have flattered to deceive.
They have often started out as preseason contenders, only to flame out in a variety of improbable ways.
So it was all the sweeter as a Waratahs fan for the team to make the Super Rugby final at the expense of a Brumbies side that was thoroughly stifled by the Waratahs defence after displaying remarkable arrogance in rejecting kickable shots at goal.
So that will probably do for the gloating, now on to a grand final preview.
Prior to the semi-final it was reported that Waratahs coach Michael Cheika had spoken to his team about trying to win the title the hard way, to really earn it. As a long-suffering fan I’d have taken winning it over a bunch of under 10s, but each to his own.
The first step was beating the smug neighbours to the south. The next step is what awaits in the final. The Waratahs won’t be playing some strong at home but weak on the road South African team who limp into town as the sacrifical lambs for the final.
They will playing the fully armed and operational battle station that is the Crusaders.
Although they haven’t won a title since 2008, the Crusaders still loom large in Super Rugby. The Crusaders always figure strongly in pre-season betting and haven’t missed the finals since 2001, during which time they’ve played in seven deciders and won four of their seven titles.
Many of the names from the glory days of the early 2000s have gone, but Dan Carter and Richie McCaw remain and they’ve been joined by a new generation of All Blacks like Corey Flynn, Owen Franks and the Whitelocks.
And just who did the Crusaders beat in their last final? Well, well isn’t it funny how things come around in sports? In 2008 the Crusaders triumphed over a Phil Waugh-led and Ewen McKenzie-coached Waratahs team in a dour final in Christchurch.
The Waratahs were very much in that game at half time, but the loss of Kurtley Beale – at the time a precocious 19-year-old flyhalf – to injury in the second half crueled the team’s momentum.
In the end, the Crusaders experience and poise paid.
It would be a stretch to suggest that this game will be in some way a chance at redemption for the 2008 squad, given the turnover at both teams, but it does represent one of those funny coincidences that sport throws up.
Will the Waratahs win? I would like to believe that they can. This time around the Waratahs enter as the form team and as the class of Super Rugby this season.
The team has the best attack and the best defence in the competition. They also boast inspiring forward pack leaders like Michael Hooper and Kane Douglas, a giant, childlike wildcard off the bench in Will Skelton and in Israel Folau they have the most exciting Australian rugby player in a generation.
Regardless of all that, it is still the Crusaders and it is still the Waratahs. Come Saturday night I will be rocking my 90s vintage sky blue jersey and occupying the edge of my seat and cheering for victory.
But don’t ask me to be confident doing so.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.