‘Constipated’ Beale could cost Waratahs against desperate Crusaders

Finally, the Super Rugby match we’ve been waiting for - it’s the Waratahs v Crusaders in a repeat of last year’s controversial grand final. Only this time, it’s a dance of the desperates with neither side a lock-in for the play-offs. The Waratahs, however, have a bit more give in their season to countenance a loss. But for the Crusaders, this is it: win or close the book on a great provincial rugby era, which has seen the seven-time champions make the play-offs every year since 2002.

The stage has been set for an epic encounter at ANZ Stadium on Saturday: 6th (Waratahs) v 9th (Crusaders), Wallabies and All Blacks in most positions, the Hitchcockian ticking clock with four competition rounds to go, and, of course, lingering memories of the 2014 grand final controversially decided at the death by a dud call on that great man, Richie McCaw. Oh yes, and McCaw’s back too – his first game in the starting XV since knocking himself out against the Blues on Anzac Day.

Like last year’s final, this game is proving just about impossible to pick. The Crusaders of 2015 aren’t in the same league of the championship sides of the noughties. In fact, this year’s line-up has looked decidedly average against high-tempo, defensively sound sides like the Chiefs and Hurricanes. And that’s exactly the style of team they face in the Waratahs, even if the NSW side has yet to hit their 2014 heights this year. However, say what you like about the Waratahs, they still attack and defend soundly. Their downfall has been handling errors, not ambition.

Putting aside positions on the ladder, it’s fair to say the Waratahs have been the better side this season. It’s not unreasonable to tip them at home. Indeed, this column backed the Waratahs to beat the Crusaders in last year’s final. This time, we’re going the other way. The reason - and it rests on a very fine margin - comes down to selection. Crusaders Todd Blackadder has never been the shrewdest of selectors, but he has got it right on the money this week in pairing rookie half-back Mitchell Drummond with form All Black fly-half Colin Slade. We have seen enough to Drummond to know he’s the real deal. Pairing him with Slade will finally give the Crusaders that spark they’ve been looking for all season. Then, outside Slade is a chap called Daniel Carter, with Ryan Crotty at centre and the hulking Fijian Nemani Nadolo at centre. Tom Taylor is at full-back, with Israel Dagg to come off the bench to run amok in the last 20 minutes. This line-up has too much going for it.

The Drummond-Slade combination should severely test the Waratahs Test pairing of Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley. Slade is a far superior player to Foley, most would agree. And with fast ball firing his way from Drummond, and Carter on his inside shoulder, Slade should create havoc down the 10/12 channel. He’s a man in devastating form. And if he doesn’t fire, Carter will. And it’s not just in the backs where the Crusaders have a big edge. The Crusaders loose forward trio of Jordan Taufua, Richie McCaw and Kieran Read is second to none. McCaw and Read, we all know. The seemingly no-name guy to watch is Taufua. He’ll be famous very soon.

The Waratahs, on the other hand, have been too error-strewn to suddenly come right. Indeed, they may well be building to something more, which might very well see them defend their title if they make the play-offs. But on recent form, they look suspect on attack through the midfield. Kurtley Beale, as brilliant as we all know he can be, hasn’t had his best year (and there may be off-field reasons for that). In fact, his ongoing selection comes as a surprise as a lot of the attack is breaking down in his channel from handling errors, miscommunication and poor option taking. Israel Folau is too good not to get a sniff of a try regardless, and maybe his and Taqele Naiyaravoro’s efforts on the outside have blinded coach Michael Cheika to the failings of Beale, one of his favourite sons no less. It’s an oversight, this column believes, that will cost the Waratahs on Saturday night, and maybe even the Wallabies in the World Cup if Beale continues to get picked despite playing poorly.

Some commentators are talking up the McCaw v Michael Hooper clash on the openside. However, they are too contrasting in style to reduce their play to a duel between two players in the same position. McCaw ought to rule breakdown, and Hooper will gobble up metres as usual. Which is more valuable to a winning cause? Turnover ball at the breakdown of course. It’s a fair criticism of Hooper that he’s really just an extra back. And in the tightest of contests, most teams would prefer the services of a loosie who can win opposition ball off the deck. On that front, if you’re going to compare McCaw to an Australian flanker, there’s only one name on that list - David Pocock. Here’s tipping the Crusaders to stay alive another week.

Super Rugby round 15 fixtures

Friday (AEST)

Chiefs v Bulls – 5.35pm

Reds v Sharks – 7.40pm

Saturday

Blues v Hurricanes – 5.35pm

Waratahs v Crusaders – 7.40pm

Force v Highlanders – 9.45pm

Sunday

Cheetahs v Lions – 1.05am

Stormers v Rebels – 3.10am