Too little, too late - Aussie press laments loss

SYDNEY - Australia's newspapers were unanimous about the Waratahs' performance in the Super 12 final - they left their run too late.

"Courageous Tahs fall at final hurdle" was the headline in Sydney's Sun-Herald newspaper, while the Sunday Telegraph blared: "Tahs to regret the lost crusade."

The newspaper's Peter Jenkins said the Waratahs' title dream ended when the most successful side in Super 12 history "sealed their dominance with a fifth final triumph at their Christchurch fortress".

"There was no disgrace but vast disappointment in the New South Wales camp after failing to a team capable of switching from bulldozers to breathtaking masters of brilliance in the twinkling of a turnover."

He said three of the Crusaders' four tries in the 35-25 victory were punishment for Waratahs' turnovers.

Jenkins paid tribute to the late comeback by the Waratahs but said their reliance on kicking for much of the match was coupled with risk.

"Any ill-directed punt was threatened with counter-attack. One hand-grenade delivered by airmail returned to blow up in NSW faces."

Australian winger Wendell Sailor, writing in the same paper, said he watched the game with former Wallaby Matt Burke and found it frustrating that the Waratahs did not back themselves more.

"The Crusaders deserved to win but the way the Waratahs finished with a flurry to score three tries made you wonder why they didn't chance their arm earlier."

The Sun-Herald's Greg Growden said the Waratahs staged a remarkable comeback, but their run was too late to stop the Crusaders winning the game.

He attributed the Crusaders' 35-6 lead with 13 minutes to go to too many mistakes by the Waratahs, especially poor kicking.

Growden said the Waratahs were forced to scramble for much of the match and could have lost by far more as the Crusaders nearly scored two or three more times.

- NZPA