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The 2014 Super Rugby final is one of the most important games for Australia and New Zealand in a long, long time. Perhaps close to a decade.
It is also a critical match for both Canterbury and New South Wales.
It is a good opportunity for the Crusaders to finally win the trophy despite repeated finals appearances. It will be a boost for the economy which has been resurgent post earthquake, and the trophy will be a talisman for further development.
A Waratahs win will be a critical spark to revive New South Wales rugby. This includes grassroots reforms, restructuring for the Waratahs, financial viability over the mid-term, and the potential to create the ‘Cheika’s dynasty’.
It would also probably catapult greater support for the Wallabies in the ensuing months.
This match will also be a litmus test for three very important players for world rugby: 33-year-old Richie McCaw, 28-year-old Keiren Read and 32-year-old Dan Carter. The untouchables. The unreachables. The living legends.
Conversely, the Waratahs performance will also be a great test for the new boys: 22-year-olds Michael Hooper and Will Skelton, 24-year-old Bernard Foley and the revival of 25-year-old Kurtley Beale.
The performance of the big three from the Crusaders, win or lose, will foretell their contribution and influence in All Blacks games against Australian and South African teams.
The other players to watch are 23-year-old Luke Whitelock, 26-year-old Owen Franks, and 26-year-old Israel Dagg. They represent the next generation of leaders who are expected to lift the All Blacks to the next level, as the new generation of Springboks and Wallabies look to surge.
Last week’s Crusaders versus Sharks match should have been a good window into the Springboks and All Blacks. Alas, the game did not reach its potential, and provided only a glimpse of the key players’ influence at Test level.
This grand final will be great battle. All aspects of the game will be tested.
Will this be part of the dream exit for two of the All Blacks’ big three? Or will their fault lines appear now, and start to give way to resurgent Wallabies and Springboks?
Will the young Waratahs prevail and show the way to overcome the All Blacks touchstone, and the All Blacks themselves?
Will they fail to take the initiative and succumb to the mystical powers of the living legends?
This game will be a crossroads for both countries, an epic canary in the mine for world rugby.
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.