This was the win the Waratahs and Super Rugby Pacific needed.
After an inability to close out continued to haunt the Australian sides in the second round of Kiwi crossover games, the Waratahs managed to pull off the 24-21 victory over the Kiwis best, sending a shockwave through the competition.
It was done in front of a strong Leichhardt crowd, their biggest in a couple of years, potentially setting them up for the future.
So what did we learn from the match?
1.Party like it’s 2014
This is the type of win fans will look back as the turning point if the Waratahs go on and build something special.
The most-decorated club in Super Rugby were always going to attract a strong crowd. The Waratahs came into the game as $13 underdogs, fitting after their 0-13 campaign last season, leaving few outside of the diehards predicting victory for the Waratahs.
But that’s what they produced, showing off the ‘Tah Tough’ mentality Darren Coleman has ingrained into them to hold on for victory.
They didn’t concede a line break all game, with tries coming from either short bursts from the forwards after extensive attempts at their line and a penalty try.
Last year’s side would’ve found a way to lose that game - and they did against the Force. This year’s team is a whole new prospect, slowly building supporters and the confidence to bring them back to the finals and potentially the top of Australian Rugby.
2. Pietsch of a performance
Dylan Pietsch picked the perfect stage to breakout, rampaging Crusaders defenders at will.
He instantly hunted for the ball after a strong run from flyhalf Tane Edmed, brushing past Bryn Hall and out-sprinting Sevu Reece.
Pietsch’s break midway through the second half halted any momentum the Crusaders had built, which led to the red card and penalty try.
He got a well-deserved standing ovation as he left the field, finishing with ten tackle busts.
3.Goal-line stand
As the Crusaders hunted for an answer, the Waratahs showed off the much-improved maul and goal-line defence to hold them scoreless in the first half.
Jed Holloway’s influence in this area can’t be understated, causing havoc to their rolling maul as he constantly swam his way through the middle.
This continued into the second half, shutting down several attempts even down a man, Will Harris integral to one steal close to the line.
To concede just four missed tackles in the first half and zero clean breaks throughout the 80 minutes illustrates just how far this side has come even from last week.
4. Revenge is sweet
Charlie Gamble was let go by the Crusaders as a schoolboy and seemed to be on a mission to make them pay.
Gamble was everywhere for the Waratahs, leading the tackle count as he relished the chance to shine on the big stage.
With the hosts out on their feet, it was Gamble that sealed the game as he got over the ball, allowing them to milk the final three minutes and close out the win.
As Coleman noted after the game, there hasn’t been that drop in quality that you usually see from a first-year player, Gamble continues to get better and better each time he steps on the field.
And before you ask, he's eligible for the gold jersey in March 2023 per SMH
5. Make Leichhardt a regular home
Darren Coleman joked they should get rid of the new SFS and keep every game at Leichhardt Oval. Given the support they received, it’s easy to see why.
The 10,293 in attendance were still strolling in the gates when Pietsch crossed and rode every single decision positive or negative from referee Ben O’Keefe.
There was a moment where the Crusaders had scored two straight to get the game back to three where the Waratahs trudged back to halfway, only to see the crowd lift, fully invested in their cause to try and see them home.
In the end, that’s what they witnessed, exploding in a wave of noise when the whistle blew. They need to capitalise on that for their final two home games against the Hurricanes and Blues and into the future
