Hit And Miss For Waratahs In Final Trial
by Brendan Bradford -
A chorus of boos echoed around Allianz Stadium as Tom Taylor lined-up his match-winning penalty for the Crusaders against the Waratahs in their trial match on Thursday night. The vocal crowd of 6,824 had every right to feel aggrieved too. Having declined numerous kickable first-half penalties in favour of five-pointers, the Waratahs clawed their way into the lead with two tries against a staunch Crusaders defence after trailing 13-0 at the break but couldn’t maintain their slim advantage as the determined Crusaders outfit – winless in their first two trials – kicked for the victory with nine minutes remaining on the clock.
The Waratahs made true on their promise to run the ball but wayward passes, even more dropped ball and a stout Crusaders defence cruelled many attacking opportunities until fresh legs came on in the secon