Todd Blackadder’s pre-match prediction that the Super Rugby final would be determined by a few crucial moments came back to haunt him as a “50-50” call condemned the one-time competition kings to another bridesmaid experience.
Bernard Foley’s last minute penalty secured the Waratahs their maiden title on Saturday in Sydney and extended the Crusaders wait for their eighth to at least an eighth year.
Blackadder said he would have liked another look at referee Craig Joubert’s fateful decision.
“It was 50-50 I thought, it could have gone either way,” Blackadder said.
“It comes down to those moments doesn’t it? There was nothing between the sides.
“I was really proud of the way our guys fought back.
“NSW have been the best team all season and they showed that tonight at the end didn’t they, so that’s a credit to them.
“They should be proud of their season.”
While the Crusaders seven titles are still four more than the next best team, the New Zealanders have stumbled in recent times.
They have made the semi-finals every year under Blackadder since their last title in 2008, but four semi-final defeats and final losses away to the Reds and Waratahs have left them unfulfilled.
Captain Kieran Read was proud the fightback after they trailed 14-0, but couldn’t hide his hurt and disappointment.
“We’re absolutely gutted,” Read said.
Blackadder won three titles as a player, but has yet to taste victory as a coach.
“Coming second is not much fun, I can tell you that,” Blackadder said.
Playmaker Dan Carter suffered a badly corked thigh.
“He tried to run it off, but he couldn’t quite get there, which is disappointing, at least he had a crack, so he’s pretty sore,” the coach said.
“It wasn’t great losing him so early, but that’s just life.
“I thought the guys that went out there did a pretty good job and Sladey (five-eighth Colin Slade) stepped up and kicked the goals that he needed to and Tom Taylor ran bloody well.
“But you don’t like to lose those influential players.”
Chris
Guest
The presentation was a shambles. All that was necessary was a short speech from Read, another from Hooper and present the winners' medals. Dragging the whole thing out was stupid. Have a look at any AFL or NRL Grand Final and see how gutted the losers are.
Chris
Guest
Read, Carter and McCaw all champions, though Richie pushes the envelope pretty hard. All gracious in defeat, though badly hurt. Champions. Blackadder, not so much.
Common Sense
Guest
Peter, if McCaw isn't the tackler then how it is deemed a tackle?
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
What the others said: Class, sportsmanship, everything sport is supposed to bring out in us.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
Thanks Brett, Jerry
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
It will be soooooooon !!!!
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
whose messman ?
djackedinc
Guest
One thing he is not, is a poor loser mate. One of the best human beings you would ever meet.
Soapit
Guest
A day later and that's the best excuse you can think of?
Soapit
Guest
Maybe we should ask teams if they'd rather have 7 points in the 44th minute or 3 in the 78 the and see which they choose
chochie
Guest
Hahaha...suck it up....this is not about the All Blacks....
Dcnz
Guest
I think the reply at Bledisloe 1 will be ferocious ...the Darkness has been provoked ...
44bottles
Roar Guru
I was at the game so I didn't hear the ref. Did he say: Can you give me a reason NOT to award the try Can you give me a reason TO award the try, or Try or no Try?
Rob9
Roar Guru
I agree re: Richie. He was hard done by on this occasion. No tackle was committed. Player had gone to ground (one knee on the ground) before McCaw laid a hand on him therefore he had every right to be where he was. The Nadolo try though was a blatant no try. I’ll concede, there was no frame with foot on white but it shouldn’t matter. Nadolo wasn’t ‘holding’ the ball when he grounded it. The laws imply control when in possession of the ball and grounding it over the in-goal, and Nadolo clearly wasn’t ‘holding’ the ball when he grounded it. He probably would have been right in League where separation and downward pressure are the only concerns but the ball sitting on your thumb joint doesn’t constitute ‘holding’.
Tony Dun
Guest
Read is a class act
Jerry
Guest
It wasn't 50/50 on either. He did put his foot on the line, he grounded the ball fine. He got lucky that Beale's leg/boot obscured the line on the only frame where his foot hit the ground.
Jerry
Guest
Oh god....make it stop. That's embarrassing Peter. Just embarrassing.
PeterK
Roar Guru
No by the letter it is correct. Remember when a player dives on the ball say after it is kicked through. An arriving player cannot tackle or dive on the player on the ground that is considered dangerous play. Alll he has to do is rest his hands on the player on the ground (if he still has the ball) and it is considered a tackle. The player is NOT allowed to get up and run but has to play the ball. So either Joubert applied this scenario while technically correct is a bit harsh but technically correct. If McCaw had just gone for the ball before resting his hands on him then it would not apply. So at least 50/50. Most likely though Joubert missed Latu tripping.
Simon Bedard
Roar Pro
Nadolo's try was not a 50:50 call. It was blatantly wrong. The video clearly shows his foot touch the line before he grounded the ball. What was 50:50 was whether he lost control of the ball before grounding as well. That try was an extremely poor call. Luckily it didn't change the outcome.
therugbyfan
Guest
haha