Waratahs vs Crusaders

2022 - 4 - 30

Waratahs

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Stuff.co.nz"

Waratahs stun ill-disciplined and error-riddled Crusaders in Sydney (Stuff.co.nz)

A year after failing to win a game, the Waratahs have pulled off one of the bigget upsets of Super Rugby Pacific.

After all, nobody wants to play the Crusaders in Christchurch in the playoffs. Like elite athletes at their peak, our sports journalists are highly trained in the art of news. So we're asking you to support us with more than your attention. As was the case then, the Crusaders stumbled out of the blocks on Saturday and played as if they’d only met in the sheds prior to kickoff. The Waratahs pulled off one of the upsets of the season at Leichhardt Oval, handing the shoddy red and blacks a shock 24-21 loss to nab their first win against a Kiwi opponent since 2019 (also Crusaders). Any chance of the Crusaders chasing down the Blues and qualifying for the playoffs as the top-seed likely went up in smoke in Sydney on Saturday night.

Crusaders stunned by Waratahs (New Zealand Herald)

Last year the Crusaders cruised to a 54-28 victory as the Waratahs finished bottom of Super Rugby Transtasman, and last week the Chiefs also put up 50 points on ...

And when Matera saw yellow for collapsing a maul to cede a penalty try, the Crusaders' chances appeared over. Giving away a couple of penalties to put themselves under pressure, they watched as the Waratahs kicked for the corner and found immediate reward, with Mark Nawaqanitawase applying another simple finish. And they were porous in defence, starting in the second minute when Dylan Pietsch scythed through a huge hole.

Tears of joy: Waratahs are officially back after stunning Crusaders ... (The Sydney Morning Herald)

The bookies installed the Waratahs as $15 outsiders but NSW didn't care, defying the odds to record their first win over a Kiwi team since 2019.

There were standouts everywhere as the Waratahs knuckled down and missed just four of their first-half tackles. Despite a chaotic final few minutes, NSW got the job done in emphatic fashion. Those in the stands gave a standing ovation at half-time to a team bereft of confidence and cohesion this time last year. In the back of fans’ minds was the night in 2018 when NSW led the Crusaders 29-0 before falling by two points at the death. It was the Waratahs’ first victory over a Kiwi team since their 20-12 win over the Crusaders in 2019. At the next lineout the Waratahs executed a rolling maul that resulted in a penalty try, making it 24-14 and putting the Crusaders down to 13 men when Pablo Matera was shown a yellow card.

$15 outsiders shock Crusaders as Waratahs pull off biggest upset in ... (Fox Sports)

Playing with “house money”, the Waratahs have pulled off the upset of the Super Rugby season - and one of Australian rugby's biggest wins on the field in ...

But a red card to Hamish Dalzell, who collected Michael Hooper in the head to force the Wallabies captain off the field in the 67th minute, turned the match. We’re pretty excited to get to Leichhardt.” So excited that the Waratahs raced out of the blocks, as former Australian Sevens star scored from a slick set-piece move in the second minute. “We’re pretty cool-headed. But the 26-year-old cult hero got on the ball to win the Waratahs a crucial penalty with two minutes remaining. Considered $15 outsiders by the bookies, the Waratahs took an astonishing 17-0 lead into the half-time sheds and managed to hold on to record a remarkable 24-21 victory in front of 10,293 fans.

Waratahs claim famous victory over Crusaders (Rugby.com.au)

The NSW Waratahs will be keen to impress when they face the Crusaders at Leichhardt Oval.

Even down a man, the Waratahs repelled attack after attack and kept themselves in the game before Sione Havili Talitui dived over with 20 minutes to go. The Waratahs came out with a point to prove in the first half, with Pietsch instantly breaking the line to race away and score under the post inside three minutes. However, the Waratahs found a way to close it out and secure the victory, causing the biggest upset of the season.

NSW Waratahs stun Crusaders in Super Rugby (PerthNow)

The NSW Waratahs have upset the 12-time championship-winning Crusaders 24-21 in a thrilling Super Rugby Pacific clash at Leichhardt Oval.

Down to 13 men and by 10 points on the scoreboard, the champion Crusaders rallied with a late try to Fletcher Newell but the Waratahs couldn't be denied a memorable win. The Waratahs took full advantage of their one-man advantage with a rolling maul penalty try that also led to Crusaders flanker Pablo Matera being yellow-carded. The Crusaders, though, copped some of their own medicine when Hamish Dalzell was red-carded for a dangerous tackle on Hooper, who had to leave the field in a dazed state. Gordon wouldn't have been pleased to see No.8 Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco being yellow carded for illegally holding a player up after a Crusaders penalty try early in the second stanza. But the Crusaders were always bound to test the Tahs' mettle in the second half. The Waratahs turned on the razzle dazzle, then resisted a fierce second-half fightback from the 12-times competition champions to claim their first New Zealand scalp in three years.

Waratahs score upset for the ages with thrilling 24-21 win over ... (ABC News)

The NSW Waratahs have won their first game against a New Zealand side in three years, with an epic victory over the Crusaders.

"I've got 30 friends and family up there in the stands. The crowd tonight was just outstanding. Down to 13 men and by 10 points on the scoreboard, the champion Crusaders rallied with a late try to Fletcher Newell, but the Waratahs couldn't be denied a memorable win. Then the Waratahs took full advantage of their one-man advantage, with a rolling maul penalty try that also led to Crusaders flanker Pablo Matera being yellow-carded. The Crusaders, though, copped some of their own medicine when Hamish Dalzell was red-carded for a dangerous tackle on Hooper, who had to leave the field in a dazed state. Gordon wouldn't have been pleased to see No.8 Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco being yellow-carded for illegally holding a player up after a Crusaders penalty try early in the second stanza.