No way through the Crusaders' wall

Aaron Mauger fends off Phil Waugh. Sandra Mu / Getty Images

Crusaders 17 Waratahs 11

The Crusaders remain the benchmark for Super 14 success despite their less than fluid victory last night against the Waratahs.

Even when they have a few spluttering parts in their rugby machinery, the Crusaders have a resilience and aura others are unable to crack. The Waratahs were the latest victim while the Crusaders dream of emulating their golden unbeaten 2002 season continues.

Had the Waratahs played with the vigorous belief they delivered in the last quarter, they would have returned to Sydney with the red and black scalp. Instead they were undone by a lack of first-half conviction in what will be an eerie reminder of their finals failure last year.

Before the match, sanguine Crusaders coach Robbie Deans said his side would have their blinkers on.

"There's a start time and an end time to the game and we'll have to make the most of the bit in between."

The five-time champions did while the wannabe Waratahs suffered through the restricted attacking approach and poor tactical kicking which hurt their challenge last season. Troubled by a lack of quality ball as well, the Waratahs developed some attacking momentum in only the final frantic 20 minutes. However the Crusaders' defensive wall was impregnable.

The Crusaders had their victory. It was memorable for the occasion and the prize, it was not comprehensive, it had a much higher error count than usual but it was vital in the run towards the precious home advantage in the play-offs.

The Crusaders started cautiously, using a few kicks to ease their way into Waratahs territory but that prudence soon disappeared when Aaron Mauger made the first break of the game.

He slid through and chipped ahead though Peter Hewat saved ahead of the chasing Rico Gear. That foray seemed to give the Crusaders all the assurance they needed about the weight of their attack. They conceded a turnover or two but from one they pinched, they scored the first try in this top of the table clash.

Wendell Sailor was lured out of his defensive position on the flank for Richie McCaw to rush down the sideline and feed the supporting Chris Jack for the try, converted by Daniel Carter.

It was an early dent in the Waratahs' confidence, a side which went into the match as the most miserly defensive unit in the Super 14. They recovered some of their poise and while the Crusaders continued to trouble them and broke more tackles, they could not make any more death-thrusts.

The heat was coming in other areas though with the Waratahs scrum under huge pressure, unwilling to engage or showing a degree of instability on their own ball. That weakness reduced any moves the Waratahs wanted to pull from their backrow forwards or set up with their midfield plays.

Even though his side was only a converted try ahead after 30 minutes, Deans sensed the Waratahs were wilting and sent flanker Johnny Leo'o into the game instead of lock Ross Filipo. Within minutes the tactical substitution drew a reward with a try to impressive fullback Leon MacDonald.

After two failed long-range penalties, Hewat succeeded with his third kick just before halftime to give the visitors' thoughts of a revival.

Coach Ewen McKenzie signalled his displeasure by making four changes soon into the second half.

Crusaders 17 (C. Jack, L. MacDonald, tries; D. Carter 2 con, pen)

Waratahs 11 (M. Turinui, try; P. Hewat 2 pen)

HT: 14-3.