Super Rugby: Israel Folau stars as Waratahs beat Crusaders 20-12
NSW ended the greatest winning streak in Super Rugby history and have reignited their Super Rugby campaign, defeating back-to-back premiers the Crusaders.
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Waratahs 20 Crusaders 12
UPDATE: NSW ended the greatest winning streak in Super Rugby history and have reignited their Super Rugby campaign, defeating back-to-back premiers the Crusaders.
The Waratahs scored three tries to two and held firm in a second half tussle to score a massive upset, stopping the Crusaders’ 19-game winning streak that started more than one year ago.
It was NSW’s third victory from five games, and second in succession at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Given the Tahs have never made the finals after losing three of their first five games, the result is huge for their playoff prospects.
“It gives our team a lot of confidence to know we can compete with the best,” said NSW coach Daryl Gibson, who changed plans to use the high ball, pin the Crusaders in their territory and tackle them out of the match.
“I could see by the intent in our defence, we had a clear game plan, we learned a great deal from last year’s fixture, this year we were far more consistent.
“We came up against the best attacking team in the competition and we did a really good job.”
FOLAU ON TOP
Israel Folau equaled Doug Howlett’s record for most tries in Super Rugby history when he scored the match-winner in the 74th minute.
Folau and Howlett now share the record with 59, and it’s only a matter of time before the NSW fullback takes sole ownership of the record and extends it well beyond, with his contract running for another three seasons after this.
Folau showed he remains the best player in the world under the high ball, leaping above his rivals to take a Foley midfield bomb before passing to winger Cam Clark who raced away for NSW’s second try in the 11th minute.
And with six minutes remaining, Folau’s pressure from another Foley bomb saw Crusaders replacement Will Jordan spill the ball in the in-goal. Folau turned and pounced on the loose ball.
“Israel Folau should be working for NASA,” exasperated Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said. “He’s pretty good in the air.”
THE RESPONSE
After the most horrific week in Christchurch’s history, and their cancelled match last weekend due to the terrorist attack, it was always going to be difficult for the Crusaders to mentally fire for this game.
Additionally, they stood down playmaker Richie Mo’unga and lock Scott Barrett – the form player in the tournament over the first month – due to the All Blacks rest policy, while Test prop Owen Franks was a late withdrawal.
This was one of the worst games of rugby they’ve played in three years.
Numerous handling errors, lost lineouts, missed tackles, overcooked kicks; it was all so uncharacteristic.
“We were really desperate to play well and represent our people and show how much we care,” Robertson said.
“You could see how hard we worked but we dropped enough ball for the whole season, that’s out of our system now.
“It was a tough week but we’re Crusaders, we don’t make excuses.”
But with so much pain surrounding their preparation, and so much talent to return, the Crusaders will remain firm favourites to clinch a three-peat title this year.
TAH STARS
Much-maligned after irritatingly bumbling displays, the Waratahs finally stood up with a display of grit.
Their big names, including Folau, Michael Hooper and Adam Ashley-Cooper were particularly impressive.
The midfield combination of Bernard Foley and Kurtley Beale were hot and cold but had enough quality touches to get their team over the line.
Jed Holloway marched through the tackle of Whetu Douglas in the fourth minute to score – ending the Crusaders’ streak of 12 straight games where they’ve scored the first try of games.
But Holloway’s night was cut short when in the 52nd minute he was forced from the field with a rib injury.
For the first 15 minutes of the second half, NSW had 68 per cent of territory and most of the ball yet couldn’t score a point.
Their defensive pressure ensured the visitors did not score a point either until the 80th minute when Jordan crossed for a consolation try.
THE PITCH
Tick.
After the carnage of the previous game between the Tahs and Queensland that saw the SCG churned up and ground staff racing around the field plugging holes, the pitched passed the test here.
The entire surface was re-laid and held up well in the first half. Aside from a huge divot that came up during a scrum early in the second half, it was strong enough to handle the remaining shoves.
NSW WARATAHS 20 (Cameron Clark, Israel Folau, Jed Holloway tries Bernard Foley con pen) bt CRUSADERS 12 (George Bridge, Will Jordan tries Brett Cameron con) at Sydney Cricket Ground. Referee: Jaco Peyper.
Originally published as Super Rugby: Israel Folau stars as Waratahs beat Crusaders 20-12