Match Details

Waratahs

VS

Crusaders (NZ)

33

Sydney Kick off times: 7:40pm (Local) Sat 31 Mar 7:40pm (AEST) Sat 31 Mar

34

Listen to Ewen McKenzie's post-match comments

Sydneysiders switched off their lights in support for Earth Hour but the Waratahs showed there was some light at the end of the tunnel when suffering an agonising 34-33 loss to the Crusaders in the Super 14 match at Aussie Stadium on Saturday night.

Had NSW winger Peter Hewat landed a simple conversion after replacement hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau scored with only minutes remaining, the Waratahs would have caused a major boilover against the defending champions.

On balance, the Crusaders played the better rugby on the night scoring six tries to four and would have enjoyed a more comfortable win had flyhalf Stephen Brett not had a poor night with the boot.

It was a courageous effort by the Waratahs as they trailed 22-5 late in the first half and the Crusaders appeared set for an easy bonus-point win despite losing All Black lock Chris Jack with a damaged left knee early in the first half.

The Waratahs comeback began with three minutes remaining in the first half with a converted try to replacement centre Sam Harris and a penalty goal after the siren by Hewat.

The Waratahs then jumped to within four points of the Crusaders when Hewat landed a second penalty goal straight after half-time and then hit the lead 25-22 in the 46th minute when, after sustained pressure, scrum half Brett Sheehan delivered a great pass for fly half Sam Norton-Knight to score untouched under the posts for Hewat to convert.

However, the lead was short-lived after a neat off-load by Crusaders number eight Mose Tuiali'i sent centre Casey Laulala over for the Crusaders’ fifth try.

The Crusaders extended the lead to 34-25 and appeared safe when winger Rico Gear scored his second try when rounding Norton-Knight to cross wide out.

But Hewat gave NSW a chance landing his third penalty goal with 15 minutes remaining to reduce the margin to 34-28.

Then centre Lote Tuqiri responded with a brilliant 40 metre solo run to send Polota-Nau to score. But Hewat amazingly missed the simple conversion.

The Waratahs suspect confidence was dented in the fourth minute when Crusaders prop Campbell Johnstone barged over from one metre and Brett landed the conversion from touch for an early 7-0 lead.

The Waratahs then soared back thanks to a brilliant individual try by left winger Lachlan Turner.

From a scrum on half-way, Norton-Knight and centre Morgan Turinui combined in midfield before Turner comfortably rounded Gear and outpaced fullback Leon MacDonald to score in the corner.

However, the Crusaders responded with a fine try soon after when creating a huge overlap on the right side presenting Gear with an easy touchdown to give the visitors a 12-5 lead.

The Waratahs were soon punished again after Turner was caught inside his own quarter and from the ruck, Crusaders centre Aaron Mauger cleverly sent Tuial'i over to score.

The Crusaders crossed for their fourth try in the 31st minute when Mauger raced over after a fine break by fly-half Brett.

Crusaders 34

Tries: Johnstone, Gear (2), Tuiali'i, Mauger, Laulala

Conversions: Brett (2)

Waratahs 33

Tries: Turner, Harris, Norton-Knight, Polota-Nau

Conversions: Hewat (2)

Penalty Goals: Hewat (3)