It turns out the Crusaders just needed a new multi-million dollar stadium to re-discover the recipe which has brought them so much success over the years.
Struggling for consistency and a cutting edge this season, the defending champions, who began the match placed sixth on the table, returned to their set-piece strengths, and, assisted by an extraordinary performance from midfielder-turned loose forward Leicester Fainga’anuku, all but cut the Waratahs to shreds 35-20.
It was not a perfect performance by any means under the roof of their sparkling new Te Kaha Stadium, and the match meandered halfway through the first half as tempers flared and both teams struggled for attacking ideas, but in the end the Crusaders were well worthy of their five-try bonus point victory which just may kick-start their season.
They had to cope with the second-half yellow card to skipper David Havili for a high tackle on Waratahs fullback Max Jorgensen, but the home side won the discipline battle overall, with visiting lock Miles Amatosero shown a yellow for a cynical breakdown act after 30 minutes, which resulted in a melee which had the potential to turn ugly.
Former Crusaders hooker Ioane Moananu was also sinbinned for a cynical act on the try-line moments before Fainga’anuku, who excelled in his experimental position of flanker, powered over.
There were plenty of other highlights for head coach Rob Penney to celebrate, including wing Dallas McLeod’s two tries – the man from Mid Canterbury will forever have the honour of scoring the first try at the stadium – Codie Taylor’s from a lineout drive and Macca Springer’s from a remarkable breakout to all but make the game safe.
There was much to like too from a Crusaders' perspective about the defence of midfielder Braydon Ennor and scrambling pace of prop Fletcher Newell.
The Crusaders also had two tries ruled out; one to McLeod, a late replacement for the ill Sevu Reece, and one to Havili – the latter an extremely unpopular decision with the capacity 25,000 crowd.
The other point to make is that there was an extraordinary amount on this match for the Crusaders, even taking away their need to start their new era at their home in the right way.
They had lost their three previous games to Australian sides, including a thrashing at home at the hands of the Brumbies, and another setback would have hurt their playoff hopes considerably.
The other element of course was the requirement to front up for their fans who have struggled for 14 years at their former “temporary” home at Addington, a place built with the best intentions but which must have been one of the coldest sporting arenas in the Southern Hemisphere. The performance of their haka before kick-off was another indication of the importance of the match.
Six points down early through Sid Harvey’s two penalties, the Crusaders got a foothold via McLeod, and while the visitors struck back cleverly through Harvey’s try on the left from a superb cross-kick from Jack Debreczeni, the Crusaders closed it out just before halftime through their veteran hooker Taylor and then carried on via their devastating set piece.
Their scrummaging pressure in particular strangled the Aussies.
Questions were asked about whether the move to an indoor stadium would be a disadvantage to the traditionally risk-averse Crusaders who do their best work in the tight stuff assisted by the weather at this time of year.
The jury remains out for now but there was a glimpse of what is possible. No team likes to be constantly put under pressure in the biggest of occasions and that’s what the Crusaders did tonight.
Crusaders 35 (Dallas McLeod 2, Codie Taylor, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Macca Springer tries; Taha Kemara 4 cons, Rivez Reihana con)
Waratahs 20 (Sid Harvey, Teddy Wilson tries; Harvey 2 pens, 2 cons)
Halftime: 14-13
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