Heroic Waratahs hold on for shock win against Crusaders

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The Waratahs celebrate against the CrusadersCredit: Getty

KEY POINTS

EDMED COMES OF AGE: What a performance from the five-eighth, finishing with 17 points, in an incredible all-round performance. He hit the line flat, he was 100 per cent from the tee and, at the end, heroically dislodged the ball from Crusaders captain Scott Barrett. He has silenced the doubters from the defeat against the Reds in round one.

FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE: Even against such dangerous opponents like the Crusaders, the cool, collected captaincy of Gordon was on display. He knew when to go for the posts, or when to have a go and run the ball. The captain also enjoyed a brilliant game in his own right, getting a crucial intercept try. Hannigan also made a huge impact off the bench with bruising and crucial tackles and proving a nuisance in the pack.

COLEMAN HANDLES PRESSURE: What a way to respond to the pressure that has surrounded the coach, with a crucial victory against the Crusaders in Melbourne. A lot of the talk before the game revolved around Coleman’s need to get the Waratahs firing, and he certainly did that tonight. He can return to Sydney against the Highlanders with confidence.

The Tahs have done it. What a victory.

Incredible result in Melbourne.

Gordon blasts the ball out of the stadium.

Coach Coleman deserves the plaudits, he was under huge pressure coming into this game and delivered in spades.

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Gleeson tackles for the WaratahsCredit: Getty

The Tahs are absolutely out on their feet, they are completely exhausted. They know that the Crusaders will keep coming at them.

Crusaders skipper and All Black Scott Barrett goes over but somehow Edmed dislodges the ball from him. Heroic stuff.

Edmed makes an absolutely huge touch finder, giving his forwards a split second to breathe.

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Edmed goes over for a tryCredit: Getty

Replacement Lio-Wilie squeezes over after a forward drive from the Crusaders.

Kemara converts.

The Waratahs are feeling the heat here, can they hang on?! The Crusaders are really starting to turn the screw with five minutes left.

They need two more converted tries and the clock is ticking. The Tahs are tiring.

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Reece is always so dangerous. He chips, chases, nearly collects and knocking on over the line.

No try after review from refs.

This is going to be a serious test of this replacement Waratahs front row. There are twenty points in this and ten minutes to do it.

Hannigan is having a serious impact for the Waratahs off the bench, bringing every single bit of his experience onto the field.

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Waratahs combine in defenceCredit: Getty

Amazing stuff, the captain Gordon goes over!

Hannigan has had a big impact off the bench, ripping the ball from the Crusaders in the maul, and the half back runs nearly half the field to score.

Edmed converts another- he’s kicking 100%.

Twenty points- surely this is enough!?

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Gleeson misses a pop pass and the Crusaders snaffle it up and very nearly go over for a try.

Edmed wins the foot race, but he carries the ball over to save the try, and gives up a five metre try to the Crusaders.

A knock on from the Crusaders allows the Waratahs a stay of execution.

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Harry Wilson runs with the ballCredit: Getty

Jake Gordon gets an intercept, runs nearly 90 metres, the halfback was totally isolated, but Edmed sees space, hits a long cross field kick and gets the replacement Triston Reilly over for a try in the corner. There’s also a yellow for the Crusaders.

Edmed hits a huge conversion from the corner.

This has put a much needed spring in their step. The pressure is going to start to grind from the Crusaders, so every single point that comes is vital.

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Harry Wilson scores a try earlier in the gameCredit: Getty

The Crusaders have woken up with a sore head after their first half and are playing with serious intent.

There’s a renewed clinical efficiency to their work now, especially now Gardiner is back in the backrow after his yellow card.

After so much possession before, the Waratahs are now living off scraps. This was always going to be the case, it’s just how they respond.

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Jake Gordon puts the ball into the scrumCredit: Getty

Aumua absolutely cannons off Waratahs tacklers, makes huge ground, when they get him down, Reece gets his second of the night.

Kemara gets the conversion.

The Crusaders are back in the game.

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