Re-live the moment Bernard Foley kicked the Waratahs to their first ever Super Rugby title.
The Waratahs celebrate winning the Super Rugby final. Picture: Brett Costello Source: News Corp Australia
CHAMPIONS. History-makers. Redeemers of running rugby.
The Waratahs won their first Super Rugby premiership, erasing 19 years of heartache in the most dramatic fashion imaginable.
Five-eighth Bernard Foley kicked a 44-metre penalty in the final minute to give NSW a 33-32 victory over the Crusaders at ANZ Stadium in front of a record crowd for the competition.
Waratahs v Crusaders: Match centre — full scores, stats, video highlights
NSW, who had lost to the Crusaders in the past 11 games between the teams over a decade including two finals, have finally shed the gorilla from their backs with a magnificent game to cap off an outstanding season under coach Michael Cheika.
A Colin Slade penalty goal 15 metres out from in front gave the Crusaders a 32-30 lead with just four minutes remaining.
But after Richie McCaw was penalised for a ruck infringement, it was left to Foley to kick the winner from near halfway and he obliged.
The Crusaders kicked off quickly but NSW secured possession, and Brendan McKibbin booted the ball into the stands after the final siren to send the Tahs players and supporters delirious.
Centre Adam Ashley-Cooper starred with a sensational two-try performance, bagging his double in the 62nd minute to give NSW a 30-26 lead before the brave visitors climbed back into the lead in an absorbing contest.
Ashley-Cooper, who penned an inspiring poem for his teammates in the lead-up to the match, won the first grand final of his life, having lost five as a junior and never having claimed a title in his professional career.
A controversial try to former Waratah Nemani Nadolo threatened to derail NSW's campaign.
Nadolo was given the try by video referee George Ayoub despite replays suggesting his ankle was in touch before he grounded the ball.
NSW bolted out of the blocks, leading 14-0 after 15 minutes.
They led 20-13 at the break, and it took 50 minutes for the Crusaders to hit the lead, with Slade pushing his team ahead 23-20 with a penalty goal.
NSW never abandoned their trademark running style even when the Crusaders defence threatened them; a bold statement of their identity.
In front of a new Super Rugby record crowd of 61,800, NSW claimed their ninth win in succession to finish a remarkable 2014 season.
They scored the most tries, boasted the best defence, and deservedly won their maiden crown.
In the end it was two tries apiece and Foley's kicking, with eight goals from 10 attempts, swung it to the home side despite Slade kicking seven from seven.
The Crusaders lost superstar Dan Carter after just 30 minutes due to a leg injury.
NSW dominated the collisions and flow of the game for the bulk of the opening stanza.
But minutes into the second half the Crusaders were level courtesy of that Nadolo try.
It was nevertheless brilliant work from the Crusaders as they off-loaded in contact repeatedly and then Nadolo was set free down the touchline before Kurtley Beale, in his 100th Super Rugby game, attempted the tackle.
Referee Craig Joubert sent the decision upstairs and Cheika was livid when Ayoub gave them the try.
Ashley-Cooper had scored the first try just five minutes in, finishing a breathtaking attacking raid from one side of the field to another after — of all things — a lineout loss by the Crusaders.
A superb pass from Beale put Foley on the outside of the Crusaders defence and he was pulled down 10 metres short.
Following a Wycliff Palu hit-up, the ball was quickly cleared by Stephen Hoiles to Beale, whose pass found a steaming Ashley-Cooper and the centre powered through Ryan Crotty, Sam Whitelock and Andy Ellis to score.
Two further penalty goals by Foley had NSW up 14-0 by the 15th minute.
But a lost lineout two minutes later gave the Crusaders their opportunity and they pounced.
Though the ball was kicked upfield when the Crusaders fumbled, five-eighth Colin Slade sliced through the scattered chasing defensive line and made a long break, offloading in the tackle to Kieran Read.
The Crusaders skipper found Matt Todd flying down the sideline and put a perfect pass on the flanker's chest.
Ashley-Cooper came across in cover late, but Todd was able to use his momentum and an inside step to bump him off and touch down.
Carter landed the sideline conversion.
Foley pushed his side ahead 17-7 with another penalty, but Slade kicked two of his own to bring it back to 17-13 and put nervous tension through the stadium.
Foley managed to kick a fifth penalty two minutes from the break, which pushed him past Peter Hewat (243 points in 2005) for most points by a Waratahs player in one season.
WARATAHS 33 (Adam Ashley-Cooper 2 tries; Bernard Foley conversion, 7 penalties), CRUSADERS 32 (Matt Todd, Nemani Nadolo tries; Dan Carter conversion; Colin Slade conversion, 6 penalties). HT: 20-13.
Replay all the Super Rugby final action in our match blog below
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