Crusaders and their successful history a hurdle for Waratahs to overcome in bid for first title

THE Tahs and Crusaders haven’t played each other in more than 13 months, which is the situation last season’s grand finalists found themselves in.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 12: Kurtley Beale of the Waratahs celebrates after scoring a try during the round 19 Super Rugby match between the Reds and the Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium on July 12, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

THE Waratahs and Crusaders have not played each other in more than 13 months, which is exactly the situation last season’s grand finalists found themselves in — and it suited the team whose players had won the big dance before.

The Brumbies and Chiefs did not meet during the 2013 regular season, and when it came to the decider, the defending champion Chiefs found another gear in the final quarter to storm to their second premiership.

Most Super Rugby observers will be tipping a Waratahs vs. Crusaders final this year after the teams finished the regular season first and second, and that would have its pitfalls for NSW, who have just one player — Jono Lance — who has won a grand final (with Queensland in 2011).

The Crusaders have not won the title since 2008 when they defeated NSW for the crown, but their current side has five players that have tasted premiership glory.

Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Keiran Read, Wyatt Crockett and Corey Flynn have done it multiple times.

The fact NSW and the Crusaders were not drawn to face each other this year has disadvantaged the Tahs, who have not beaten the Kiwi powerhouses in a decade. The opportunity to end the losing streak of 11 was denied them, therefore they could take no recent confidence into the possible showdown.

NSW had a 3-1 winning record against the other New Zealand teams this year, but their most recent encounter against the Crusaders was a heartbreaking 23-22 loss in May 2013.

There is no other reference point for them this year to feed off, which would be invaluable heading into the grand final.

The Brumbies attest to that, having been in the same situation last year.

Kurtley Beale and Brendan McKibbin celebrate victory after the Waratahs’ big win at Suncorp Stadium.

A win over the Chiefs prior to the decider would have given them obvious confidence, but even a loss could have been dissected, analysed and cleansed of tactical error.

It was the relative unfamiliarity of the opposition, as much as their hectic travel schedule, that thwarted the Brumbies.

Meanwhile, the South African conference was shown up to be pitifully weak this year, making Super Rugby’s expansion to 18 teams with an additional side from the Republic from 2016 even more questionable.

The Sharks, their only representatives in the playoffs, scored just 29 tries and finished third overall. The Melbourne Rebels scored 29 tries and finished last.

The Bulls, who finished second in the South African conference, only managed 28 tries — the Waratahs nearly doubled that with 55.

It highlights a great chasm between the attacking potency of New Zealand and Australia compared to South Africa, whose top players will be diluted further with an extra team.

But the Sharks do have important reference points in their title quest after losing four previous grand finals; they have beaten both the Crusaders and Tahs this year.

They would have to repeat that again, both times on the road, after defeating the Highlanders at home this weekend, to claim a maiden title.

The Highlanders showed strong form early this season but have faded badly in the past fortnight.

The dark horse of the finals are the Chiefs, who have been nowhere as effective this year as their past two title-winning campaigns, but did enough to squeeze into the sudden-death situation, which they have excelled in.

Originally published as Crusaders and their successful history a hurdle for Waratahs to overcome in bid for first title