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.
RobC
Roar Guru
The Reds? - You might notice they have worked hard to cooordinate more w/rugby grassroots, infuse Rugby Qld mainstream and government. - Record number of members even when their SR placing has tanked. Highly attended games in some years exceeding Rugby League. - And most importantly a lot of content, and recruiting rabid fans / volunteers army. 20,000 of them.
RobC
Roar Guru
If you review his statement, he has in possession a paper on how to do it. So it seems to be advanced stage. Im guessing it will have a proposed start date perhaps 2016 and a pilot next year.
AndyS
Guest
Returning to my original point, yes they've said lots of things. But having now won the title, let's see how much they actually change vs saying "Everything is awesome, we're on the right path already". The Reds made changes, then won the title. What has changed since then?
AndyS
Guest
We'll see. Can't say I'm encouraged by the chairman calling for things rather than getting on with them, or the 'Tahs bidder also taking on the grassroots. They do that, one might wonder what purpose the NSWRU actually serves given the ARU are currently doing and paying for their development work. Perhaps eliminating them was what is meant by "grassroots reforms"...? ;)
rugby rules ok
Guest
they don't want to be an All Black they want to be a Wallaby = the difference..........
RobC
Roar Guru
HI amband, which thread were you referring to?
RobC
Roar Guru
Yes, Qld Rugby has indeed gone from strength to strength, despite the Reds collapse. Taking the NSW points one at a time: - Restructuring for the Waratahs: Win or lose, this is going to happen. ARU owns the Tahs license. They and NSWRU, will select the new owners by 2016. Bidders are Dwyer, Levy + 1. If the Tahs win today, the new owners will be most likely not be required to recover or rescue. It will be a much easier job for the new owners. - Grassroots reforms: The NSWRU chairman has already called for schools rugby reform. Also, at least one of the bidders for Tahs intends to focus on grassroots. Also, the ARU CEO wants NSWRU & Co to emulate the QRU model. So it seems movement towards grassroots improvements is on its way. A Tahs win will make Rugby more attractive and accelerate grassroots engagement and reform. - Financial viability over the mid-term: If Tahs win, they will fill more much seats next year or two - Potential to create the ‘Cheika’s dynasty’: Today, MC already attracts, develops and maintains fitness of his talent better than other team. A win will broaden Tahs appeal and improve his recruitment and retention options.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I'll be cheering on the Tahs as I have done for longer than I care to remember (the victory over SA pre South Africa's isolation and the Lions). But I won't be disappointed as long as they put up a good show.
Firstxv
Guest
yes and pots knows all about winning major trophies doesnt he? the last one being...ummm...now hang on...umm...yeah.
Tinfoil Hat
Guest
The aussie media need no help whatsoever when it comes over-hyping and overconfidence.
AndyS
Guest
They have, but 2011 came after their restructuring and reforms rather than before. The 'Tahs win this, I can't see anyone actually taking that as the catalyst to change anything as suggested in the article. Quite the opposite.
Tom Groggin
Roar Rookie
What's the record for most comments in a Roar article? I recall a pretty big one by Pippinu about 5 years ago (AFL v. Soccer) but I reckon we could break it tonight.
boonzie
Guest
On way out now for a few pre game bevies. Few others on the train too. Very excited ! Go tahs !
RobC
Roar Guru
Hope so too MS. We need more solid and strong coaches. Cant rely on a handful, especially at the rate that we export them. Article coming up in a couple of weeks on this
RobC
Roar Guru
I remember in the 2011 loss, the depth of McCaw's disappointment. He looked almost crushed. I dont think it was because of the losing the game. But not being able to bring something good to Christchurch in the year of the disaster. Im guessing he wants that trophy as bad as ever today, after being denied during semis in 2012/13.
RobC
Roar Guru
My main concern from Carter was his missed kicks.
RobC
Roar Guru
hm, I thought Qld Rugby has done pretty well since 2011?
RobC
Roar Guru
100% Phil.. I imagine you're aware the first few scrums and lineouts will be one of the most important moments of the game today. I might add: - Sharks first and major big mistake was underestimating Stomers + Cheetahs and squandered 2nd place and homeground advantage. Otherwise it would most probably be Tahs hosting Durbanites tonight. - Their 2nd big mistake was they did not play to their strength last week. Brett laid it out it eloquently yesterday in E S P N scrum Cheika&Co will not make that mistake. Its now with the players
Firstxv
Guest
yes but he's not walking the walk for the whole side. If they lose he will be found to have had the wrong attitude.
Firstxv
Guest
They were rested in the away South Africa match. Winning the match would have wrapped the series up regardless of the last match. Of the team you name- mils, Jane, Nonu, Carter, Read, mcCaw, Franks, Smith, weepu, Thorn didnt play. Henry gambled on resting the players for the last match only. Instead Dagg, who had to play if he was going to figure in the world cup being his first game in months, toeava, SBW, Cowan, Kahui, Slade, Messam at 8, Adam thompson and Afoa played. Definitely a seconds look to it. The W's needed the ABs to lose both to win it, and SA only played their main side at home. So definitely a series gifted to the W's who continued to play their best side, and suffered at world cup time. Poor managrment of the year with an all eggs in one basket approach. By the semi final, it all showed.