Waratahs braced for fired up Dan Carter and Richie McCaw in Grand Final re-match with Crusaders

RICHIE McCaw and Dan Carter seek Grand Final retribution in what will likely be their final appearance in Sydney for the Crusaders.

CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND - MAY 08: Dan Carter (L) and Richie McCaw (R) of the Crusaders pose after the round 13 Super Rugby match between the Crusaders and the Reds at AMI Stadium on May 8, 2015 in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Martin Hunter/Getty Images)

FOR 14 years, Richie McCaw and Dan Carter have been breaking the hearts of Australian rugby fans.

For what is likely to be the final time in Crusaders colours, the pair will play in Sydney on Saturday.

The two iconic Kiwis, among the greatest players to ever lace up boots, will be seeking revenge for last year’s Super Rugby grand final loss to the Waratahs — one of the few times they’ve been on the wrong end of the scoreboard.

And the result of the round 15 clash will have massive ramifications for both sides, with the loser to be at long odds of making the finals.

McCaw conceded the contentious penalty in the final minute of last year’s decider, allowing Bernard Foley to kick the 43-metre screamer that delivered the Waratahs their maiden premiership.

Dan Carter and Richie McCaw have tormented Aussies for nearly two decades.

Carter was forced off with injury after just 30 minutes in that game.

Neither player is used to back-to-back disappointments.

The two have much history with NSW.

McCaw won his first Super Rugby title in 2002, playing in a team that featured Daryl Gibson, who is now NSW’s attack coach and next year will take over as head coach.

McCaw and Carter won their first Super Rugby title together in 2005, against NSW, who had Nathan Grey in the centres. Grey is now defence coach for NSW and the Wallabies.

They won another final against the Tahs three years later.

Ironically, the two grand final sides of 2005 and 2008 were coached by Robbie Deans and Ewen McKenzie, who would later become respective Australian coaches and both suffer more pain at the hands of Carter and McCaw, with neither coach able to reclaim the Bledisloe Cup during their tenures.

But for McCaw and Carter, Super Rugby success has not mirrored All Blacks success beyond 2008.

They have lost grand finals to Queensland in 2011 and NSW last year, so Australia has managed some joy against them.

Carter is joining French club Racing Metro after this year’s World Cup, while McCaw is expected to retire following that tournament.

This is their final chance to win another Super Rugby title, but defeat on Saturday to the Waratahs would virtually kill off any chance of Carter and McCaw bowing out as winners for the Crusaders.

Originally published as Waratahs braced for fired up Dan Carter and Richie McCaw in Grand Final re-match with Crusaders