LASTEST CRUSADE SEES TAHS HUMBLED
THE Waratahs received a reality check from the Crusaders on Friday and must quickly rectify some glaring inconsistencies.
It was always going to be a monumental challenge for NSW to deal with the emotion of a Canterbury side representing a region that’s been seriously hurting after the devastation of the Christchurch earthquake.
For the opening 50 minutes the Waratahs were reasonably dominant and it appeared they were on course for a third straight victory.
But the character of the Crusaders side and the Christchurch region shone through.
NSW missed the composure and direction of first-choice five-eighth Berrick Barnes, who was rested due to concussion.
His rock-solid defence and his option-taking in terms of kick-pass-run has been superb and I imagine coach Chris Hickey will want Barnes straight back into the mix as soon as possible.
The Crusaders asked a variety of questions of the previously impenetrable NSW defence with swift ball movement and by constantly changing the angle of their attack.
Dan Carter, Robbie Fruean and Sonny Bill Williams found space and opportunity for their support runners and the Tahs struggled to contain them.
The Waratahs scrum was out-muscled and poor goal-kicking from back-up five-eighth Daniel Halangahu hurt.
The brutal defence of the Waratahs in the opening two games was also sorely missing.
In his first Super rugby game, Sonny Bill showed he’s an athlete of tremendous talent but it’s way too early to label him a world-class rugby centre.
What he provides from an attacking perspective is that rare ability to get the “impossible” ball away to a support player, creating additional phase play.
He’s definitely a challenge for any defender marking him.
A big concern for NSW is the ankle injury to the Waratahs’ best player so far this season, hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau.The Tahs seemed to lose their X-factor in defence once the kamikaze hooker left the field after 21 minutes.
The signs are still good for a strong season, but the Crusaders posed plenty of questions for the Tahs to answer.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby/crusaders-character-puts-tahs-to-the-test/story-e6frey4i-1226016576952
