The NSW Waratahs are crying foul after giving up the biggest lead in Super Rugby history in a heartbreaking 31-29 loss to the mighty Crusaders.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Crusaders 32
Waratahs 29
The Crusaders host the Waratahs Saturday night at AMI Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 3:15pm AEST.
What a difference a coach makes! You can argue that the Waratahs lineup are better than their hosts and theoretically should be favourites.
When Michael Cheika coached the Waratahs they dispatched the Crusaders in all home matches and lost one match in Christchurch by a solitary point.
Conversely, the last two cross-Tasman derbies were a disaster for Daryl Gibson. You would have imagined that a Christchurch local like Gibson would have an even better idea that Cheika on how to defeat the Crusaders. Alas, it has been the opposite.
A poor team performance today, may reignite conspiracy theorists about Gibson being a “double agent”.
NSW Rugby Union boss and New Zealander Andrew Hore and Rugby Australia’s Raylene Castle, might even be thrown in the mix!
Today, the bookies odds for a Waratahs win is 8:1. It is hard to argue with that based on recent form of both teams.
However, if a team in transition like the Reds can beat the Lions, there is an outside chance that the Waratahs are able to deliver a similar upset.
Gibson and Michael Hooper and his teammates have demonstrated clear improvements on a weekly basis. They have the firepower to defend and deliver a good set piece.
Most important they have developed a great attacking approach which allows them to maintain possession and dominate possession. What they lack is the ability to score tries. I suspect we will see improvements in this area.
But the Crusaders are too good, too consistent. They also great in punishing opponents for the whole 80 minutes, especially the last 15.
Watch a fantastic set piece battle, both lineout and scrum. It will be awesome!
Prediction
A Crusaders win. But the Waratahs should perform admirably and could deliver a scare to the Christchurch fans.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 3:15pm AEST.
ChrisG
Roar Rookie
It was "I am amazed" (see above)
RobC
Roar Guru
hey Cal. Nothing to apologise, you were very polite and generally non-judgemental: - I didnt add any comments to my pics - So its easy to interpret it, one way or the other It was a great game. And I can assure you, it wont be forgotten anytime soon haha This is really the first decent Tah Saders match for a while: - Use to be good when Check was running the Tahs - Now Chrischurch boys Robertson and Gibbo are running the show. - Im looking forward to the grudge match. Force / Canes fan. Thats an interesting combination!
Cal
Guest
Hi Rob Yeh saw he copped a ban. I must have seen it differently and I was obviously wrong, well at least wrong enough as the committee didn't see it like that. I had no doubts it was a cardable offence. I sort of wish he had of copped a red and was sent off because I think the saders might've still managed to come back and sneak a win. My apologies for jumping down your throat, but I thought you were having an unnecessary dig, which now in hindsight I think was fair enough. We all know us kiwis throw them back at you enough! In this current state of aus rugby its a bit too easy ;) Fyi i'm actually a force and hurricanes supporter but also follow the all blacks as I'm from there but now live in Perth. Cheers
RobC
Roar Guru
MrChook. Have you announced. Did Izzy endorse? For Heaven sake, do tell.
RobC
Roar Guru
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/103857231/crusaders-prop-joe-moody-cops-two-match-suspension https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12050582 The officials have ruled: 'The committee considered a four-week ban to be merited "due to the dangerous contact with the opposing player's head'
Taylorman
Guest
Oh, youre ‘the world’ now are you? And BODs one of the games very biggest moaners. Hes still moaning. Think you need help with your problem.Or just...get over it. Like you mate BOD should.
Highlander
Guest
MOODY GETS 2 WEEKS
Marius Ciliers
Roar Guru
Not defending anyone JB. Loss 39 was a huge one,and rightly the Tahs with a 29 point lead should not have conceded 31 unanswered points. This is not about Kiwis vs Aussies or Saffas. Its not a "there there"..yeah you lost..but its ok you should have won post either. Its about the Spirit of the Game and the impact the officials made in the end results,for both teams. From an objective perspective.
RobC
Roar Guru
Some like to bite and be bitten
Machooka
Roar Guru
I've decided to start my own realigion... stay posted for some first world news! :)
Machooka
Roar Guru
Ffs Ralph... this is just way too agreeable ;)
Machooka
Roar Guru
Sometimes when you bite... you get bitten as a result :)
RobC
Roar Guru
Carlos, this is hilarious. Are you serious Yes. "Big thanks" for pointing out that Foley missed two goals and is a big reason for their loss. But I just said that: - On the very comment you were rebutting! - Read it AGAIN!!! - This time, perhaps more carefully Let me break this down for you, so you dont get confused: - The pictures I originally shared is what I presented as fact - I shared NO commentary. Just the pictures - This as I explained to Cal Is this clear to you now? Or are you watching too much American TV? And what issue do I have exactly? Where do I blame the ref? - Actually, blame for what? - Do you even bother reading or trying to properly comprehend what I write - Or are you confusing what other people are writing, with what I have posted? So that you know, I dont care about the score: - Are you insinuating that I might be upset because the Tahs lost - Thats the funniest of all. - Im a QUEENSLANDER! *btw I posted TWO pictures of TWO different incidents
TG
Guest
Mate, at the end of the day the world does not view NZ rugby positively. NZ has a toxic win at all costs attitude that disrespects the game. Far too much influence in world rugby. Ask the Japanese. They were supposed to get the 2011 World cup but NZ whined and whined. I’m writing it because I’ve had a gutful of NZs arrogance and blatant favoritism. The preceding comment was that the world doesn’t have a bad perception about NZ rugby. I’m saying yes it does, yes it does. A win at all costs culture that congratulates itself on scoring through blatant cheating like elbows to the throat, clear play infringements and dislocating O’Driscoll’s shoulder within 2 mins from which NO ONE gets sanctioned. Disgusting behaviour. Disgusting culture. Yes you do have an image problem.
Johnny Boy
Guest
Enough with your PC comments. If you were really objective, you would have noted that the Saders player got punched by a Tah which went unnoticed and Rona's try was from a cross kick that had a couple of Tahs players being in front of the kicker. Both tams were hard done by but no team should ever surrender a 29 point margin and subsequently be defended by fans and commentators.
Taylorman
Guest
Honestly, there is a clear winner when it comes to whing/=ing about Refs. No one does it better or more often.
Taylorman
Guest
No, you actually wanted a win.
Taylorman
Guest
About as stupid as Daggs season ending five weeker missed last week. Didnt hear much about that yet hear we are. We’ll be hearing about Moody all week in a match where a 29-0 lead was blown. Hilarious.
Taylorman
Guest
RTTs sides never actually lose Shane...theres always a reason. Foley missing a kick wont be one of them though.
Taylorman
Guest
Oh please where was all this crying when dagg got smashed last week and ended his season? Geez get a grip..How embarrassing to have to write that up. How about the same Joubert in your Scottish win, where unlike anything you can find in the 2011 final he did specifically give the game to oz incorrectly. Dont see that mentioned in your whing$&e.