Rugby: Carter expresses Crusaders devastation

Daniel Carter of the Crusaders. Photo / Getty Images

A survivor of the World Cup quarterfinal exit at Cardiff four years ago, Daniel Carter is familiar with the pain of defeat yet last night's Super rugby final loss to the Queensland Reds really hit home after the genuine heroes of Christchurch were denied a championship to lift their flagging spirits.

Carter articulated the despair evident in the Crusaders dressing room as he spoke of the disappointment the squad felt at failing to claim an eighth title, the one dedicated to their earthquake-ravaged city.

"It would have been a special rugby title if we'd been able to get there after all we've been through," the All Blacks first five-eighth reflected as the Reds toasted their 18-13 victory here at Suncorp Stadium.

Carter was involved in previous Super 14 final defeats against the Blues and Brumbies in 2003-04 but this failure cut deep after the team had performed so admirably once their damaged home ground in Christchurch was declared off limits.

"The team rolled our sleeves up and got on with it. It's frustrating because we got so close to creating something special," he said.

"We really wanted to win this one. We were getting a lot of accolades before the game saying no matter what happens the people will be proud if us at home but we knew as a team we wouldn't be happy unless we won."

Carter, who scored the Crusaders' only try, hoped the people of Christchurch would not feel their team had let them down after suffering a third successive loss to the first-time champions.

"We don't think we let them down," he said.

"I think they're extremely proud we got this far after everything we've been through. We've given it our best shot all season.

"We would have liked to win it for the people back home because they're really added some motivation for our season.

"They're the real heroes back in Christchurch having to deal with it (life) on a day-to-day basis."

Despite his individual try five minutes before halftime, Carter performed below his usual high standards and his much-hyped match-up with Quade Cooper never materialised as the Wallabies playmaker also struggled to press his imprint on a brutal, defence-orientated contest.

"I was a bit up and down," Carter said.

"I would have liked to have played a lot better, a couple of little mistakes crept into my game there."

The majority of his teammates could have said likewise after the Crusaders failed to capitalise on a dominant first half that should have yielded more than Carter's converted try.

They eventually succumbed to an example of Will Genia genius when the Wallabies halfback powered 65m for the matchwinning try in the 68th minute.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said while the loss was devastating he thought Cantabrians would still take pride in their campaign.

"I don't think anyone could do what we have done to get to this point. I'm just disappointed we didn't execute.

"I think they've done the people of Christchurch and Pike River proud," he said referring to the 29 miners who died on the West Coast in November, the Crusaders' initial rallying point before the deadly jolt on February 22.

- NZPA