Crusaders beat Waratahs in a thriller

The Crusaders showed their class in pulling away from the Waratahs with a professional display in the Super 12 rugby competition at Aussie Stadium in Sydney tonight.

The Crusaders came from eight points behind five minutes into the second half to win 33-27, scoring 21 points in the final 25 minutes before a spectacular late try to Waratahs winger Lote Tuquiri gave the home side a consolation try.

Fullback Peter Hewat's conversion earned them a bonus point for finishing them within seven points of the Crusaders

It had been at three-quarter time a highly competitive, exciting game, but while the excitement continued in the final stanza, the Crusaders professionally closed out the game before Tuquiri's brilliance gave the Waratahs some late cheer.

It was sweet revenge for the Crusaders, whose last outing at the Sydney stadium two years ago ended with Waratahs pivot Shaun Berne denying them victory with a late, long penalty.

Tonight, there were plenty of mistakes, but the crowd had plenty to cheer with some spectacular tries, some of them resulting from interceptions and rebounded kicks.

The Crusaders looked the stronger team in the first half but the Waratahs were in front of halftime. They went further ahead early in the second half, before the Crusaders hit back with an undeniable run.

Much of the battle centred at the breakdown with opposition flankers Richie McCaw and Phil Waugh having a torrid battle, McCaw frequently penalised by referee Craig Joubert.

The Crusaders took the field without second five-eighth Aaron Mauger, who was reportedly taken ill this afternoon. Andrew Mehrtens came into the team at first five, with Daniel Carter shifting to second five.

The Waratahs led 13-12 at halftime and they had fullback Hewat to thank. He scored all 13, including a spectacular 62-metre try after he intercepted a short pass from Justin Marshall to Mehrtens 28 minutes into the half.

It was very much against the run of play as the Crusaders had been dominating possession with quick cleanouts at the rucks and mauls and clever back play.

They were rewarded with an early try to lock Chris Jack who appeared in the backline and took his chance at outpacing Waratahs prop Matt Dunning.

Their second try came from a Waratahs mistake, with Tuquiri knocking the ball on near halfway. The Crusaders went left with big No 8 Mose Tuiali'i featuring and then right where fullback Leon McDonald timed a pass perfectly to winger Rico Gear, who had the pace to score.

Hewat's try narrowed the gap and he put his team ahead with a penalty right on halftime for a Crusaders infringement at the ruck.

In the second half, replacement winger Cameron Shepherd scored a try after Leon MacDonald's attempt to field a high kick from Nathan Grey was fielded by Morgan Turunui who fed Shepherd.

It took the Waratahs eight points ahead, but the Crusaders narrowed the gap when Gear scored his second try after a kick through from Mehrtens conveniently rebounded off Turunui's legs into the hands of MacDonald who poured on the pace before were passing infield to Gear.

Carter added two penalties and then Mehrtens showed pace to win the race to the ball after a kick-through.

- NZPA