Injured skipper Dave Dennis believes Waratahs’ unity will see them win Super Rugby title.
THE Waratahs must overcome one of the longest losing streaks in professional sport to win their first Super Rugby grand final, but injured skipper Dave Dennis believes his team’s unshakable unity will finally deliver a win and the premiership against the Crusaders on Saturday.
The Tahs have not been beaten the Crusaders in a decade, losing 11 straight games that include their previous two grand finals in 2005 and 2008.
But after disposing of the Brumbies 26-8 with one of the most courageous defensive displays in their recent history in last Saturday’s semi-final, Dennis was left convinced they can overcome the hoodoo this weekend.
“I am extremely confident because of the way they boys are playing; the harmony, the work ethic, the attitude,” said Dennis, who was watching from the sidelines after suffering a season-ending knee injury last month.”
“I told the boys in the sheds afterwards, there was a lot of evidence of guys defending for each other, playing for each other.”
“I was just tremendously proud of the 23 blokes, I saw them working so hard for each other. There is an incredible team bond and unity here.”
“With that same attitude, and playing our style, and the fact we’re at home in front of hopefully a full stadium, we should be fine.”
February 21, 2004 was the last time NSW defeated the Canterbury machine, on a magical afternoon in Christchurch where every pass stuck and Mat Rogers orchestrated victory with a personal haul of 28 points.
But it has been nothing but heartache and agony since, with a raft of near-misses that includes last year’s 23-22 loss and a 34-33 defeat in 2007.
And this Crusaders team features the best in the business when it comes to winning big rugby games; Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Israel Dagg and Sam Whitelock.
The Crusaders have been the most dominant team in Super Rugby history, winning seven premierships, while their history against NSW is particularly impressive – few will forget the 96-19 slaughter in 2002.
But Brumbies skipper Ben Mowen said after NSW beat his side that the immense pressure this week won’t overwhelm the Tahs.
“I don’t think it will, out of the two games (semi-final and grand final) I thought this one was going to be the real test for them,” Mowen said.
‘Having the week off (last week) to sit back and look at the other sides play, feeling the anxiety of just wanting to get on the field, I think they’ll be much better for tonight.”
“I’d say if anything, next week they’ll feel nicer and relaxed heading into the game because they probably won’t be as anxious as they were this week.”
“They’re a very good side, as are the Crusaders, so it’s going to be a cracking final. And obviously our support goes with the Australian side from here on in, we’d like to see them bring it home.”
Waratahs coach Michael Cheika said his side will ignore the history against the Crusaders.
“We’ll just concentrate on our own stuff, if we start worrying about them, you’ll be worrying about a million things,” Cheika said.
“They’ve got so many strong points, a strong set piece, defensive lineout.”
“They can kick if they want to kick to you, and they can run when they want to go wide – they have that ability with (125kg winger) Nemani Nadolo and all those guys.”
“I think we’ll focus on what we’re doing and see if it’s good enough.”
This will be NSW’s third grand final, and the Crusaders’ 11th.
Officials are hoping attendance will break the Australian record for a Super Rugby match, set in 2011 when Queensland beat the Crusaders in the grand final in front of 52,113 fans.
The all-time record of 55,000, at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria when the Bulls beat the Chiefs 61-17 in the 2009 decider, could also be broken if there is a big rush when tickets go on sale Tuesday.
Nearly a third of ANZ Stadium’s corporate boxes had already been sold by midday Sunday for Saturday’s clash.
DECADE OF DESPAIR
(Waratahs vs Crusaders)
- 2013: LOST 22-23
- 2012: LOST 33-37
- 2011: LOST 18-33
- 2010: LOST 13-20
- 2009: LOST 13-17
- 2008 (grand final): LOST 12-20
- 2008: LOST 7-34
- 2007: LOST 33-34
- 2006: LOST 11-17
- 2005 (grand final): LOST 25-35
- 2005: LOST 27-33
- 2004: WON 43-19