NSW Waratahs Crash to Crusaders in Final 2025 Super Rugby Pacific Home Appearance

A hugely disappointing night for the NSW Waratahs ended in a 33-48 defeat to the Crusaders in their Round 14 Super Rugby Pacific game at Allianz Stadium on Friday.

While the NSW Waratahs were down 7-31 at half-time after a poor first forty minutes, fans dared to hope that they might fight back into the game in the second half.

After a fiery talk from head coach Dan McKellar in the break, the NSW Waratahs opened the second half strongly.

Number 8 Langi Gleeson powered over in the 44th minute for his second of two tries for the game that was converted by flyhalf Tane Edmed to leave them 14-31 down.

Then lock Miles Amatosero crashed over to narrow the margin to ten points with the score at 21-31 after the conversion.

However, that was as good as it got. From there, it was all Crusaders.

Afterwards, McKellar did not hide his disappointment or intent for the future.

"I've been here a while now, a number of months now and I think there's some things it's going to take time to change," he said.

"There are some people who are too comfortable. That needs to change.

"If you're too comfortable, just happy to be here and wear the tracksuit. That will change."

Captain and scrumhalf Jake Gordon agreed, saying: "Results speak for themselves. There have been systemic issues for a bit of time now.

"We knew that was going to take time, I've spoken to Dan about this before.

"There's been issues for a while and that takes time to change. It's just disappointing.

"...This is the worst (I've felt) because we're a better team than that."

The NSW Waratahs’ second half then petered out quickly. Their inability to control the tempo, manage errors, and close out pressure moments proved costly.

Meanwhile, the Crusaders – clinical and composed – reminded everyone why they remain a benchmark side in the competition, even during a rebuilding year.

Winger Sevu Reece’s try in the 58th minute extended the Crusaders’ lead to 21-38 when converted by Australian fly-half James O'Connor, who came on from the bench.

NSW Waratahs winger Darby Lancaster’s try in the 70th minute in the corner to narrowed the scoreline to 28-38 when converted by playmaker Jack Bowen.

But an O’Connor penalty drew the score back out to 21-41 in the Crusaders’ favour.

Then flanker Tom Christie capped off a dazzling Crusaders move to push the lead further in the 76th, with O’Connor’s conversion securing their forty-eight points for the match.

A 79th-minute try by NSW Waratahs winger Triston Reilly gave fans something to cheer, but Bowen’s conversion attempt hit the upright to leave the score at 33-48.

The scene for disaster was set in the first half. It was one forget for the NSW Waratahs, as the Crusaders produced a ruthless attacking display to lead 7-31 lead at the break.

The Crusaders dominated territory, possession, and the contact zone to overwhelm NSW Waratahs who conceded five tries in the first half in a clinical forty minutes.

The Crusaders wasted no time asserting themselves.

Just two minutes into the match, flyhalf Rivez Reihana sliced through the NSW Waratahs’ defensive line and delivered a perfectly timed pass to fullback Johnny McNicholl, who crossed untouched for the opener.

With Reihana’s conversion it set the tone for a dominant half for the visitors.

Minutes later, outside centre Braydon Ennor intercepted a loose pass and sprinted clear to score under the posts, doubling the Crusaders' advantage and exposing the NSW Waratahs’ early nerves.

A missed conversion by Reihana kept the score at 0-12.

The Crusaders extended their lead to 0-19 when hooker Iane Moananu’s 15th- minute try was converted by Reihana, and the game looked to slip away for the NSW Waratahs.

The NSW Waratahs momentarily found a foothold when Gleeson barged over the line to score from close range in the 22nd minute after a rare attacking surge.

Flyhalf Tane Edmed added the extras, reducing the margin to twelve points to lifting home spirits.

But the Crusaders replied almost immediately with trademark precision and patience.

A try by winger Chay Fihaki in the 27th minute took the score to 7-24; then another by flanker Cullen Grace near half-time when converted by Rehana extended it to 7-31.

Tries: Langi Gleeson (2), Miles Amatosero, Darby Lancaster, Triston Reilly

Conversions: Tane Edmed (3), Jack Bowen

Tries: Johnny McNicholl, Braydon Ennor, Ioane Moananu, Chay Fihaki, Cullen Grace, Sevu Reece, Tom Christie

Conversions: Rivez Raihana (3), James O'Connor (2)

Penalties: James O'Connor