Crusaders were worthy opponents for victorious Waratahs

Yeah, I get that a lot!

Hey buzzy...pbe584...you back at work i see...good stuff

You must be Joe King!

Even Foleys last kick with a minute to go, right at the end of his range, you gotta love sporting drama like that, as someone famous once said (or someone on this forum) games like this are won in mm's and milliseconds, I'm sure its what makes us fans of the game. I was just happy that we got to the final, the Tah's deserved the crown this season through and through, well done. Although watch out as we'll be back.

Most teams would've humg their heads in the 1H; but Crusaders clawed back, played tight rugby, and almost won it. Good on both

Thanks James in NZ. That is very gracious of you and appreciated by us Tahs fans. It was one of the best Rugby battles I have seen in awhile. Commiserations to you but thanks for your team contributing to a game for the ages!

Cadfael, I am with you here. We are way too passive in our approach to rugby journalism. The problem essentially is that of the 250 kg gorilla. Kerry Packers famous line - "where does a 500lb gorilla sit? Wherever it -------- likes!" Such is the case where the two Aussie billion dollar codes (and that round ball code) start flexing muscle. Hype has replaced substance, and is more powerful than fact in this context. In the battle of opinion, the loudest most visible opinion wins. And our code isn't even visible on FTA TV. Or anywhere out from ten pages in , in the Tele in the regular season. But you are right, there should be retorts when the platform is set. League is a great game, played by tough and talented players, but if they are so tough, why do they cuddle so sweetly every time a scrum is set?

To be fair Jez, those dummy half passes could not count. An interesting stat would possibly be 'passes other than from ruck or PTB' In both codes, the pressure is on the first receiver. At the end of the day, this cross code stat won't work as a comparison, because the continual contest for possession creates a tension in rugby that does not come across in a stat.

I agree with Jerry and others. There was a sincere logic to those Saders late kicks. I remember at the time thinking that they were disadvantageous to Tahs who were looking for field position pressure. In the context of the whole game and season, this was the Cheika/Grey/Gibson genius - there was actually no way at that point for the Saders to create advantage.. The 'Checkmate' ran like this - - Tahs rush defence made ball in hand in own zone too risky - Tahs were looking for pressure with field position, one penalty could win game because Foley had his eye in. CHECK. So, Saders determined to belt it down town to relieve pressure, and make it impossible for Tahs to kick a winning penalty. It was the only decision they could have made in my view.. Saders were now out of 'Check' pressure. Now here's where the coaches' two seasons of 'let's run it till we know how to run it from anywhere' came in. The Tahs made hard work of it it but ran it back the the exact metre where they could've kicked a penalty from. Ruck was firmed. Richie obliged. Joubert singled him out (correctly, or not). Foley (who had been listening very well to the mentoring of Gibson and Merhtens) stepped up, and did what he had practiced fifty thousand times for. Checkmate. The Tahs, ably assisted by Cheika, a former Wallaby rush defender and 2 former Sader All Blacks, played a brilliant game of rugby chess. That's why it was. such a great game. It was won in the final seconds, by centimetres, yet determined by planning months and miles away. And the whole time, I was expecting the Saders to do their well practiced Houdini, followed by two or three, 'in your face' buffer tries. Thank you Crusaders. Thank you Crusaders fans. Thank you New Zealand for taking this beautiful brutal game to the level that it is.

I too loved reading Foley wanted to take the last kick, at the start of the season I thought he would be the weak link in the Tahs backline and Cooper, CL and MT from the Brumbies would be first five for the Wallabies - well i was wrong he has had an amazing season and lead your team really well. Truly great game - For rugby to grow we need a Strong Australian team - some many of these Tahs Men were exactly that. Loved watching the emotional after the whistle, seeing David Dennis get to lift the trophy with Hooper was fantastic Congrats Tahs you a worthy champions To my NSW mates Cowleys from Dubbo, Grif Girf and Phip enjoy your moment it was a long but worthwhile wait.. Best game of rugby I have seen over 10 years Riwai Chirstchurch

Just imagine if the tahs had a front row and a lineout. Kepu was bloody hopeless gave away about 3 penalties, will have to chuck Slipper there for the wallabies.

Really enjoying the responses here everyone. Crusaders fans being gracious in defeat, and NSW fans enjoying the win, but not getting too carried away or arrogant.

couldn't

The Waratahs also made some stupid mistakes. In the end the Crusaders could quite put the game away.

very good post

I might have had a look at the price of Lindauer at New World, but I wasn't gonna risk splashing out on Moet.

I think he should have got MOTM for that kick...

not even the year we got in the final?, and then the mist came and killed it for us

The Crusaders were already over the mountain, a stupid mistake by Richie McCaw saved the Waratahs bacon.

What everyone is saying amounts to the same thing. The winner was Rugby