The Crusaders are six from six in 2017 and four from four against Australian teams after holding off a resurgent Waratahs side in Sydney, getting home 41-22.
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Final score
Waratahs 22
Crusaders 41
The ladder-leading Crusaders will make the trip across the ditch with an unbeaten record this week to take on a Waratahs side fresh off a comeback win over the Rebels. Catch all the live scores, highlights and Super Rugby action on The Roar from 4:05pm (AEST).
A blistering second half from the Tahs last week saw them sneak past the Rebels in a 32-25 thriller, scoring two tries in the dying minutes to steal the win from the jaws of defeat after being trounced in the opening 40 minutes.
It was a much-needed win for the 2014 Champions who moved up to second place in a tight Australian Conference, behind only the Brumbies who sit on top thanks to three bonus points.
Oddly enough, the Waratahs are the only side in the whole competition without any bonus points this season.
Coming off a string of three losses in a row, the Rebels win will no doubt be a confidence-booster for the home side leading into today’s matchup, however, they’re coming up against possibly the toughest competition of them all at the moment, the Crusaders.
The Crusaders are the only side in the competition who are undefeated having played every round so far this season.
After a string of sensational comeback wins, they were allowed to flex their offensive muscle last week against the Force, brushing aside a shaky opening to the game to pile on seven tries in a 45-17 victory.
Team News
Coach Daryl Gibson has been forced to change his backline around once again with Bernard Foley being ruled out after just one game back for the Tahs due to his recurring concussion issues.
Young gun Mack Mason has been brought into the flyhalf role for his Super Rugby debut in Foley’s place.
Elsewhere along the backline, Israel Folau has been moved into the centres after a brief return to fullback last week. The move to outside centre will accommodate for Rob Horne, who has been ruled out with a hamstring niggle.
Olympic Sevens player Cam Clark has been brought in at fullback for his first start in place of Folau.
For the Crusaders, coach Scott Robertson has made four changes to his scrum in an altered pack.
Whetu Douglas moves in at No.8. Jordan Taufua will replace Scott Barrett at blindside flanker with Barrett being shifted across into the second row.
Joe Moody is the final change, being brought back into the run on side at loosehead prop.
Prediction
While the Waratahs might be on a high after last week’s comeback win, they were still completely outclassed in the first half, and you simply can’t put in less than 100 per cent against the Crusaders right now and expect to win.
The Crusaders have made a habit out of playing the whole 80 minutes to get their results and the Waratahs simply haven’t shown enough this season to match that.
Despite playing away from home, the Crusaders should be able to add to their unbeaten streak.
Crusaders to win by 12
Paulo
Roar Rookie
That's a good summary Thugby, just wrote something in similar lines on the other game article before reading yours. I thought we did well against though opposition for 60 minutes, but the first 10 and last 10 cost us dearly, and it's where the failings above were exacerbated (although present throughout the game).
Rafun
Guest
Very impressive weekend indeed
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
At the game and the main points are: (a) The Tahs' wide defence was all over the shop, R.Robinson got the blame but where were the other defenders? Izzy Folau looked lost as to where he should be in defence. (b) High kicks are a waste of time if they are not well directed and designated chasers must be in the catcher's face. Fellows, it just takes a little bit of skill and some team work, how about trying it one day? Seriously, up would go the kick, so long that the catcher could have read War and Peace before running it back at a disorganised Tahs defence. The Crusader back three were licking their chops with every high kick. (c) In the match program, first page and Nathan Gray starts "Defence wins matches, ..." on that basis then this week every Tahs player (bar M.Hooper and the front row) should be hitting the tackle bags for 3 hours every day. Two Crusaders' tries involved 4-5 missed Tahs' tackles. That is diabolical. (d) Dean Mumm is needed for lineouts, he plays 80 minutes but he is just too soft to play as a lock. At a conundrum what to do with him. (e) Mack Mason played well, but showed no long spiral passes to test the defence and is too small (86kg) to take on the line, however give him credit for a couple of nice chip kicks over the rush defence. (f) The Tahs players seemed to lack fitness compared to the the 'Saders. As a Tahs' fan, it was frustrating to see them play damn good footy and test a very good side such as the Crusaders, then suddenly mess it all up and leak easy points. Less errors, more pressure in attack and defence and more grunt into rucks and we may have a good team.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Chas, be4 you get your knickers in a knot, Jake Gordon was NSW Tah's Man of the Match. I was at the game and tbh if there was a proper MOTM selected, I would have given it to the 'Sader's #4, the forgotten Barrett. He was everywhere and really destructive.
Lara
Guest
Just a thought , how about Ardie Savea at IC.
Lara
Guest
You are probably right....no long pass and can't kick....what was I thinking , Nonu would have had him for breakfast.
double agent
Guest
How has Nathan Grey still got a job? Waratah and Wallaby defence is just terrible.
cinque
Roar Rookie
This is getting tired. Wish people would stop dredging it up. For a start, 12 needs to be able to throw long passes and kick. 7 is his spot, 2nd choice 2!
concerned supporter
Guest
Cynical Play, 47 missed tackles by NSW, unforgivable.Nathan Grey should resign tomorrow. R, Robinson was miles out of position for 2 simple Crusaders tries in the first half. Hooper & Foley have detractors , but they are mainly jealous Queenslanders.
Lara
Guest
Hooper should consider IC as a position, he got all the skills ....just a thought.
Cynical Play
Roar Rookie
Great team the Saders. Deserved victors today. The Tahs got stuck in but couldn't keep up. - Hooper was incredible. His detractors on this forum have not a leg to stand on. - Latu is surely the No 1 hooker heading toward the June tests. He gets more pilfers that Pocock, makes more tackles than Moore in 2 games (lasts more than 45mins too), and is fit. He gets back in defence when Moore would still be getting off the ground and doing that swivel head thing he does. - Mason was a bit star-struck and I fear he is really too small to worry the defensive line (Is half-back where his future lies,..?..). He got better service from Gordon than Phipps. - Jake Gordon is the future, he was excellent and what a try. He is the standout WB 9 in waiting. - Nearly-a-volvo is probably a volvo. That try was pure Lomu. Worth the price of admission. They need to use him more at speed near the line - Skelton had a good game, destroyed mauls and made yards. He is improving with every game this year. - Michael Wells is good. - I love Reece R, but not in defence. He still looks like a work experience boy in defence. The Tahs need Foley. They all play better when Foley plays. But not till he's 100%. They also need Horne whose defence was sorely missed today. The Saders have all the skills. All of them. And they used them today but they were tested by a gutsy Tahs outfit who really need to sure up the patient backline attack structures. The forwards were competitive and effective both in set piece and around the ground, but the backline defence bled points all game long and there no real penetration in the middle.
Chas
Guest
Did I hear right, Jake Gordon man of match?
hog
Guest
Spoke to soon 3-0
Ruka
Guest
Well that was a great weekend for New Zealand sport against Australian opposition. All 4 Trans Tasman derbies The Warriors finally got up (Titans) and the Wellington Phoenix pipped Melbourne 2-0.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Congrats RnB ... enjoyable game and I think one needs acknowledge the Tahs for their contribution. They tried to beat you guys playing your game ... tough to do that unless you have a dominate and mobile pack as the Saders have. Good start to the season....
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Connor Many thanks for blog Cheers KP
RedandBlack
Guest
Well played the 'Tahs - good game. I'm sure you have a few technical arguments with the ref - got a few myself - but thats the nature of rugby. At the end of the day we got a real game and so i guess its a success. I am happy with the win but I am also happy we got an enjoyable game - well done to all concerned. Am babbling so will retire to continue the evening.
dan in devon
Guest
Yes the offloading in the tackle was brilliant. But knowing that, the tahs should have planned for it - either gang tackling or choke tackling - but it should have been a priority to stop the offload. Even Gibson was dismayed by the manner in which possession was being given away. Surely instead of the scrum half box kicking they should have a better exit kicking strategy. At the end of the day, the best team won comfortably.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Take when Bridges scored his try... space was created by the Saders centre Crotty, he drew in 3 to stop him leaving space out wide... tackling technique, maybe but how can you stop the guys from offloading ... I actually thought the Waratahs played quite well but I think generally playing loose is not the way to beat the Crusaders. One thing about the Crusaders, you know what you are going to get ... opposition know their strength, a very mobile forward pack full of higher honours, playing a open game as the Tahs did might be very attractive but without the dominance and mobility to match them up front, I would have thought to tighten up the game and turn it more into a lottery.. winning pretty is great, but winning is everything!... *S*
dan in devon
Guest
I think you are partly right. In the first half the tahs should have done more to retain possession - crusaders were given too much opportunity to counterattack which probably explains - in part - the poor tackling since the defensive structure was all awry. But it still hard to fathom how a four on one situation is allowed to happen out wide repeatedly. On a different note, hard to see Phipps playing for the Wallabies on this showing but then again Cheika keeps picking Mumm regardless of form.