Clarkie’s call: A Waratahs win in Super Rugby final can boost Wallabies’ bid for the Bledisloe Cup

FROM ending 19 years of pain to boosting our Bledisloe Cup hopes, Greg Clark looks at what a Waratahs win could mean for Australian rugby.

NSW Waratahs host ACT Brumbies in the sudden death semi final at Allianz Stadium in Sydney. Israel Folau runs the ball.

TO the rugby fanatic the Super Rugby final needs no introduction. But what about the casual fans?

There will be so much on the line when the Waratahs clash with the Crusaders, as Fox Sports Rugby commentator Greg Clark writes.

ON Saturday night at ANZ Stadium New South Wales will attempt to win the Super Rugby title for the very first time.

They say good things come to those who wait, but 19 years seems like an eternity for Waratahs fans.

Ever since the tournament started in 1996 (it was Super 12 in those days), the Waratahs have had a squad that looked like it should be extremely competitive. But all they’ve managed to do is confirm that they’ve been Super Rugby’s “under-achievers”.

They’ve made two finals in the past (2005, 2008) only to lose them both to the Crusaders who they’ll face again on Saturday night. This time though the decider is in Sydney and not Christchurch and that’ll make a huge difference.

In the past, critics, disgruntled fans and opposition sides have hurled all sorts of criticism at the Tahs. They’ve been accused of having a soft “underbelly” and not being prepared to do the hard yards. Many believe the club has never had the right culture or game plan and so it goes on.

But this year it’s all changed. The Waratahs under coach Michael Cheika have won more games than any other side (13 from 17). They’ve ticked so many boxes. Unbeaten at home, a club record 8 wins on the trot, the past seven victories by 16 points or more while outscoring their opponents 32 tries to seven, the most points in the tournament and the best defence.

But of course all that won’t mean a thing if they fail to clinch the title on Saturday night. If they can beat the men from Christchurch it will not only be great for NSW rugby but also Australian rugby which has had a couple of lean years and needs some success to stop the rot.

Waratahs flyhalf Bernard Foley dives over to score a try.

There are currently 12 incumbent Wallabies in the NSW squad as well as three former Aussie reps and one ex Springbok. The Crusaders can field just as many internationals including arguably three of the greatest ever All Blacks in Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Keiran Read.

With the Rugby Championship involving Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina to follow, it’ll give the Wallabies a boost as they prepare for the upcoming Tests. We haven’t held the Bledisloe Cup for over a decade and a Tahs’ win on Saturday will be a huge step in the right direction.

So it’s not just any old game at Homebush. It’s the first ever final in Sydney. The cash-strapped Waratahs will do very nicely out of the proceeds. It could be the biggest ever crowd to attend a Super Rugby final and we’re expecting a big audience watching on Fox Sports.

The two finalists finished first and second in the regular season. Thanks to Fox Sports Stats, we know that they’re the best two attacking and defensive teams.

The Waratahs have scored the most points on average per game (29.8), while the Crusaders have averaged the second most (28.4). The Waratahs have conceded the fewest points per game (16.5), while the Crusaders have conceded the second fewest (19.3).

The Waratahs have won all nine home games in 2014, and 14 of their past 15 matches at home. They’re the only side in the competition to win every match at home this season, and are looking to become the first team in Super Rugby history to earn 10 home wins in a single campaign.

They’re looking to equal their club record of 10 consecutive wins at home, set in 2008-09.

Seven of their nine wins at home this season have been by 18 points or more, and they’ve conceded more than one try just twice in Sydney this year. They’ve scored a club-record 39 tries at home (4.3 per game).

I’ve been calling Super Rugby since 2001 and I honestly believe this is the best Waratahs team I’ve seen. But they’ll need to be at their best to beat the seven time champions who also have some impressive stats.

Nemani Nadolo is an attacking threat for the Crusaders.

The Crusaders have won the last 11 games against the Tahs including the past four in Sydney. They’ve won their last eight games against Aussie opposition so they won’t be overawed by playing the Tahs in their own backyard.

This will be the fifth final on Aussie soil and our teams have won three from four so far (Brumbies 2, Reds 1). I’m tipping the Waratahs to do it this Saturday because I believe they’ve finally got it right. A great coach and assistants, a very physical pack and an extremely classy backline which has scored 41 tries all up in 2014.

Fullback Israel Folau is one of the top players in world rugby and is top try-scorer ahead of Crusaders winger Nemani Nadolo. There are great match-ups right across the park and it should be an absolute cracker.

With the Rugby World Cup on Fox Sports next year, this is the start of something special for the code. Our coverage starts at 7pm eastern on Fox Sports this Saturday. Enjoy.