RECAP: The Crusaders have opened One NZ Stadium with a 35-20 win over the NSW Waratahs in Christchurch.
It began Super Round on a bang as a sold out crowd rose to rally the hosts home after early nerves.
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The Waratahs took a 13-7 lead midway through the first half, with Sid Harvey contributing every point.
But two yellow cards cost the visitors, with the Crusaders riding home on the back of winger Dallas McLeod, the late inclusion nabbing a double.
Leicester Fainga'anuku was also influential in his debut at back-row as the hosts go one stop further towards securing their finals spot.
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Crusaders 35-20: The Waratahs build promising phases inside the Crusaders 22 after another Teddy Wilson break.
However, they turn it over 15 metres out and the Crusaders clear the danger.
Crusaders 35-20: David Havili looks to have sealed the win as the centre slices through for the try.
Havili spots a gap as the Waratahs are caught out not folding at the ruck and the centre.
But is that the case? The TMO goes check, check cause the defender is taking out by the bootlace as he tries to make the cover tackle
Crusaders 35-20: Macca Springer instantly responds for the Crusaders after a nice backline move.
Leicester Fainga'anuku and Johnny McNicholl combine as Springer runs a great line to slice through and dives over untouched after the 30m break.
Crusaders 28-20: Teddy Wilson creates something out of nothing for a solo try.
Wilson almost uses the offside Crusaders defender as a shield, going through the gap and beating the fullback for a try.
Crusaders 28-13: The Waratahs need to strike quickly if they are to get back in this game.
Errors and penalties costing them as the hosts try and survive down to 14.
Crusaders 28-13: Triston Reilly nearly creates something from broken play as he sprints through the line.
Reilly sizes up the fullback but is brought down and drops the ball five metres out.
Crusaders 28-13: Just as Moananu returns to the field, the Crusaders are now the team down to 14 after David Havili's high shot on Max Jorgensen.
Havili slams Jorgensen in the head as he comes back to ground after catching the ball.
It'll likely stay a yellow as Jorgensen goes off for a HIA.
Crusaders 28-13: An unreal try from the Crusaders own 22 as McLeod gets his second.
Taha Kemara cross-field kicks for Dom Gardnier as the flanker produces some magic, sprinting away and throwing a peach for his winger to run onto it and score under the posts.
Crusaders 21-13: The Waratahs continue to trend of playing some of their best footy down a man as they march inside the 22.
Joey Walton saves the Waratahs with a clutch turnover, before they catch the Crusaders offside.
It's a shame their hooker is sitting on the sidelines, with another lost throw by a flanker filling in.
Crusaders 21-13: Leicester Fainga'anuku punishes the Waratahs, diving over from close.
Fainga'anuku takes advantage of being close to the ball and powers over the line from the ruck.
Crusaders 14-13: Too many penalties against the Waratahs on their line and Ioane Moananu is the man to pay for it.
The former Crusader was on the field for a minute but pays the price for ill-discipline.
Crusaders 14-13: Tense start to the game as both teams feel the pressure of the close contest.
Noah Hotham comes up with the clutch play, chipping in-behind for the goal-line drop-out, which eventually leads to a penalty and the chance to kick for the line.
Crusaders 14-13: The Crusaders have the half-time lead through hooker Codie Taylor at the back of the rolling maul
The hosts stay patient and rumble their way over the line, turning down three and instantly getting the desired result.
Waratahs 13-7: The Waratahs suddenly strike against the run of play and it's the Waratahs backline that lights up One NZ Stadium.
Max Jorgensen throws a wonder offload as he goes over the touchline for Joey Walton, who is dragged down five metres out.
Jack Debreczeni then puts it on the boot for Sid Harvey, delivering the inch perfect kick for the winger.
Crusaders 7-6: Dallas McLeod thinks it's a double as the winger goes through all too easily.
There's a reason for this: Jack Debreczeni is clearly taken out by the dummy runner to create the hole.
The TMO is the most unpopular guy in the stadium as the try is reversed into a penalty.
Crusaders 7-6: The Waratahs are defending for their life down a man before half-time.
They hold out the Crusaders and Max Jorgensen sprints away but it was under advantage as the Crusaders will launch again.
Crusaders 7-6: Miles Amatosero is fired up after a penalty against him and it ends with both teams throwing handbags as the game boils over.
Amatosero, Charlie Gamble and Folau Fainga'a are among several Waratahs on the ground amid the scuffle.
Amatosero is yellow carded for tackling Noah Hotham as he tried to take the quick tap for the initial penalty.
Crusaders 7-6: The Waratahs are keeping the crowd quiet as the Crusaders try and add to their lead.
They come up with the ruck penalty, with a booming clearing kick going from 22 to 22.
They look to launch their own attack from close but drop it five metres out.
Crusaders 7-6: The hosts are starting to make their impact scrum-wise as they try to win the set-piece battle.
It's descended into a midfield battle as both teams give up costly errors.
Crusaders 7-6: The Crusaders hold tough in defence as they shut down the Waratahs on the 22.
The Waratahs go close to 15 phases deep in Crusaders territory, but a rash pass leads to the error and the Crusaders scrum.
Crusaders 7-6: Dallas McLeod puts himself in the history books with the first try of the match.
McLeod finishes off after fast ball from the ruck catches the Waratahs short of numbers, with Johnny McNicholl throwing the last pass
Waratahs 6-0: Sid Harvey makes it two from two with an easy penalty.
The Crusaders were caught offside 25 metres out and Harvey slots it to further their lead, just sneaking in as it hugs the left upright.
Waratahs 3-0: A hot counter-attack from Sid Harvey has the Waratahs on the attack as they hold off the Crusaders on their line.
The Crusaders drop the ball five metres out and Harvey pounces, racing 50 metres before he is dragged down.
Max Jorgensen then puts Joey Walton through a hole, with Jorgensen kicking in behind to find touch a metre out.
Waratahs 3-0: Sid Harvey adds the first points of Super Round with a long range penalty.
Harvey nails it from 35 metres out on the angle after Leicester Fainga'anuku is pinged at ruck time.
It came after a smart dart from Jake Gordon after a free kick catches the hosts off guard.
Lawson Creighton kicks off for the Waratahs, and this game is underway!
Codie Taylor leads the pre-game haka, and the Waratahs instantly answer the challenge, marching forward as Pete Samu and Ioane Moananu do it in response at the same time.
The Crusaders hunt for early territory but can't recover their own ball, leading to a scrum halfway.
Tries: McLeod 2, Taylor, Fainga'anuku, Springer
Cons: Kemara 5/5
Pens:
Tries: Harvey, Wilson
Cons: Harvey 2/2
Pens: Harvey 2/2
Both teams are heading off the park, with a sea of red and black in the crowd.
Crusaders legend Joe Moody presents the pounamu at the centre of the field after the club's legends walked through the city.
It's followed by the cultural welcome to field.
Both teams have graced the fields as they go through their paces pre-game.
The crowd continues to swell as the stadium packs out, with the pitch looking an absolute treat.
The Waratahs have won the toss and will run left to right on your screen.
Welcome to the start of Super Round as the Crusaders host the NSW Waratahs in Christchurch.
The city is pumping with jerseys and colour as the new One NZ Stadium slowly fills to capacity. It's a mighty venue, for those familiar, very similar to a Commbank Stadium or Allianz Stadium.
The hosts have made ONE change from Wednesday's initial team listing, with Sevu Reece (ill) replaced by Dallas McLeod, Maloni Kunawave coming onto the bench.
CRUSADERS (1-15): Finlay Brewis, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Tahlor Cahill, Dom Gardiner, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Macca Springer, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Johnny McNicholl
Replacements: George Bell, George Bower, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Johnny Lee, Kyle Preston, Rivez Reihana, Maloni Kunawave
WARATAHS (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Folau Fainga'a, Siosifa Amone, Matt Philip (c), Miles Amatosero, Angus Scott-Young, Charlie Gamble, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Jack Debreczeni, Sid Harvey, Lawson Creighton, Joey Walton, Andrew Kellaway, Max Jorgensen
Replacements: Ioane Moananu, Tom Lambert, Dan Botha, Angus Blyth, Clem Halaholo, Jamie Adamson, Teddy Wilson, Triston Reilly
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Ben O'Keeffe, Damon Murphy
TMO: Brett Cronan
The Crusaders' clash with the Waratahs will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport.
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 4:30 pm with kickoff expected at 5:35 pm.
