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.
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.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Agreed Ron. Tahs stats stack up but are knocked back for being over one only season. Yet in this year's Aviva final it was Leicester (winners of 4 of the previous 7 finals & reigning champs) vs Northampton (never won the title). Yet N'ton did the job. Leicester has been similar to Crusaders in terms of dominance and has also historically put in late runs but N'ton believed Leic were beatable, and the form book says the Crusaders are also (form in this definition being this SXV season and the number of finals lost).
Common Sense
Guest
It's funny you say that because I heard something similar after Bledisloe 2 last year and it wasn't the kiwi's complaining.
Firstxv
Guest
whereas not having Beale, Folau and Hooper the tahs would have topped the table anyway? yeah right...
Beardie
Guest
That's offensive, Louie. It was remarkable what the Crusaders achieved that year. It wasn't just the travel, which was gruelling. The earthquakes were on-going for many months with frequent aftershocks, often large, making living in ChCh very difficult. A bit like living in a war zone, and the players and their families were part of that too. Banter apparently justifies anything but your throwaway comment is ignorant.
Old Bugger
Guest
Great post - fortune will favour the brave but action, is what makes them brave.
Squirrel
Guest
I've been right all year
Jereme Lane
Roar Guru
having mccaw, read and carter back is the only reason that the crusaders are here... lets not kid ourselves, the crusaders have been fairly average without them...
DanFan
Guest
When you say "ageing", you are referring to Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, right? Corey Flynn is over 30 and perhaps Andy Ellis but the rest are well under 30. Hardly ageing at all and probably just the right mix of "age", I would have thought.
niwdeyaj
Guest
could you point me to one of these articles cos i haven't seen any that claim winning this weekend = bledisloe. i have seen a rather large number of comments from insecure kiwi's who read into things a little more than actually written and get highly defensive as a result…
WEST
Roar Guru
Waratahs have earned their first ever home final, but have to say the Brumbies insistence on turning down shots at goal at first seemed naive, but by the end was utterly foolish. Doing so on at least four separate occasions yielded one unconverted try — five points when they could have had as many as twelve and forced a tighter finish... The Waratahs showed some real Stubborn defense and a brilliant late try guaranteed the Waratahs a shot at the title, this was the resilience that they will need to defeat the Crusaders next weekend. In a way its even more impressive that the Waratahs have topped the table given the inconsistency of their set-piece. Richi McCaw will make a difference, comes back from broken ribs and plays a full 80 with a cut to the eye in the warm up by his own team. The 33-year-old with 127 Tests for his country under his belt. McCaw has appeared in a remarkable seven Super Rugby finals, captaining the side to three titles in 2005, 2006 and 2008. Waratahs vs Crusaders= Tight five is where this game will be won and lost. Waratahs must focus and prepare for Sam Whitelock's ability in the line-out, this is a real danger area for the Waratahs. Waratahs scrum will need to be solid. Dagg is another threat for the Waratahs and his tactical kicking and kick and chase game. The Waratahs' offloads total was 231, compared to 92 - offloads by the Bulls, the lowest in the competition, Israel had the most off loads for the Waratahs with 47, a handy weapon to utilize. Michael Cheika and kicking coach Andrew Mehrtens, Grey and Gibson have been playing a big role in turning things around. Former Crusaders centre Gibson could well be the Waratahs' ace in the hole this week ahead of the Super Rugby final. The Waratahs have named him their "mole" McCaw knows the threat posed by the Waratahs from their attack-minded backs such as Kurtley Beale and Israel Folau. ''We have got to make sure we don't give them space and put the pressure on them," added McCaw. "You allow them to get their tails up and confidence because of what they have done all year, they will be a tough animal.'' Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has named an unchanged side for Saturday night's Super Rugby Final against the seven-time champion Crusaders at ANZ Stadium. Cheika knows his side will have to step it up another level this week if they are to lay their hands on the ultimate prize. “We’ve got to keep pushing, holding on is not enough," he said. "We will go out their, play as we have all season and play good attacking footy and give them some trouble. “The Crusaders are a powerful unit who really focus on their set piece and will be confident after taking apart a strong Sharks outfit.” The Crusaders and Waratahs have met 20 times since Super Rugby started, with the Crusaders leading the way with 16 wins. The New Zealand side has taken the honors in the past 11 encounters, with the Tahs’ last win coming back in 2004 in Christchurch. The Tahs’ front row will see Ben Robinson, Tatafu Polota Nau and Sekope Kepu lock bodies for the final time this year. Hard-man Jacques Potgieter will partner Kane Douglas, who plays his last game for the 'Tahs, in the second row. Cheika has kept the loose forwards as is, with Wycliff Palu at No. 8, Stephen Hoiles at blindside and captain Michael Hooper at open-side. The match will see Palu become the Waratahs’ most capped No. 8 in Super Rugby history, with a total of 90 games. Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley will once again take charge of the Waratahs backline. Adam Ashley-Cooper holds on to the outside centre spot that has been his all season and will partner Kurtley Beale, who will make his 100th appearance at this level (86 for the Waratahs, 14 for the Rebels) and become the 10th most capped Waratah in Super Rugby when he runs out on to the pitch on Saturday night. All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him. - Sun Tzu, the Art of War Fortune will truly favor the brave for this epic encounter.
Firstxv
Guest
well, since thats never happened...
Mike
Guest
I think the Tahs will pull it off. They have shown a strong desire, this year and have now had eight wins in a row, which will breed confidence, and their defence has been good, as was shown in their match against the Brumbies. Great names in rugby is one thing, gelling and performing on the day is what counts. Go Tahs you beauty. PS at least you guys will have an impartial ref. I will be up early morning to watch this game inSA.
Firstxv
Guest
thats interesting because a couple of articles have already converted the already won final on Saturday to winning the Bleisloe...how odd.
Louie
Guest
they will have a world class excuse if they don't win though. NZ press and fans have already banked the money because AB's have won 12 straight and the Saders beat Tahs 3 times... Maybe stats and law of averages catch up and the Tahs get lucky. Looking fwd to Monday NZ news 'Saders wus robbed', Ref agin em, Richie not being afforded proper respect, Tahs cheatin ways...
Louie
Guest
History again records reds win, saders lose Super final. Dont recall the excuses used by the losers at the time.
Louie
Guest
ergo based on history ABs win the next 12 years. you may be surprised to find that stats will now point to ABs' being closer to worst run ever than breaking new wins record. I am not saying they won't win more in this run, before the fall. But believe the fall is coming and fast. There used to be this great cricketing power that enjoyed an unprecedented 20 yr run of outrageous success, they had a B team that could beat anyone else in the world and had a golden era of producing legends of the game over decades. One day they found their production line faltered and their B team wasn't quite as good as they thought. Decline occurs remarkably quickly, once the aura and confidence vansh so do the wins. History....
Godfrey White
Guest
Egg on face again master squirrel. Come Saturday night
Firstxv
Guest
like the holes that Speight found? what holes exactly?
bigbaz
Roar Guru
Palu, to me holds the key, if he can match Reid, it's the Tahs in a canter.
Firstxv
Guest
yes...it was called an earthquake. thats how much help the reds needed to win by 5 that year...and look at the two teams now? hmmm.