The Crusaders have been given a heroes' welcome following a heartbreaking last-minute loss in the Super Rugby final in Sydney.

Analysis of the Crusaders' 2014 Super Rugby campaign will no doubt focus on the final five minutes at Homebush on Saturday night.

The irony of Crusaders legend Andrew Mehrtens playing a significant role in the downfall of his old team was not lost on Waratahs coach Michael Cheika.

The Crusaders began slowly, rose to a strong sequence deep in the Super 15 tournament, but could not close the deal.

Take another bow, Richie McCaw. Well, that's my position. There are others who may be hurling brickbats his way.

An ecstatic Adam Ashley-Cooper dubbed it "100 per cent the greatest moment in my rugby career" .

Evidently the Waratahs didn't hand any advantage to the Crusaders by shifting the final to Olympic Park.

Blues rugby star Peter Saili is under investigation by police over an alleged assault.

It's understandable that, for a lot of people, last night's Super Rugby final was being viewed as a kind of unofficial third Bledisloe Cup test.

Watch a replay of tonight's live blog of the Super Rugby final between the Crusaders and the Waratahs in Sydney.

Crusaders captain Kieran Read caused a minor controversy ahead of tonight's Super Rugby final when he left a captain's photo opportunity before his Waratahs counterpart Michael Hooper arrived.

For Dan Carter, match day doesn't change, no matter the occasion or the opposition.

History shows there have been 18 hyped-up yet fruitless campaigns for the Waratahs.

Australians are irrepressible. Admirably so. This time 12 months ago rugby was the black sheep of their respective football codes - scarily close to oblivion.

An avid Chiefs supporter is switching his Super Rugby allegiance - but just for one night.

You can't miss him. Jacques Potgieter is the bloke with the lank black hair and a disregard for his own safety.

Give the Super Rugby trophy to the Waratahs now. Bookies in NZ are clinging to the notion that the Crusaders are on a roll, but Wynne Gray doubts that.

The week of a grand final can be difficult to get right in terms of preparation, but for the Crusaders the experience of Richie McCaw and Kieran Read is shining through.

The All Blacks' policy of injured players not losing their places when they return to fitness could be given its sternest test if Israel Dagg returns to the fold.

Recent set-piece problems for the Waratahs are judgment day delight for the Crusaders.

It ended in failure but the Brumbies' efforts in their semifinal against the Waratahs in Sydney have provided the Crusaders with plenty of encouragement.

The Waratahs aren't worrying for a single second about their drought against the Crusaders going into Saturday's Super Rugby final.

The Waratahs are concocting a plan to suffocate Daniel Carter in the Super Rugby showdown.

The Crusaders' forwards, who provided the platform for their semifinal victory over the Sharks with a dominant performance that at times embarrassed the big South Africans.

Wyatt Crockett's work-load is about to ramp up even more with a Super Rugby final then a starting role for the All Blacks in their world-record winning quest.

So you don't believe in history's influence on rugby games?