The Waratahs have emerged victorious from one of the greatest Super Rugby finals in the competition's history, defeating the Crusaders 33-32 thanks to a last-gasp Bernard Foley penalty goal at ANZ Stadium.
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 last night, 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
The years of shortfall, failure, and frustration have been buried by this magnificent team of believers.
They held firm in their will to play an attacking style of rugby to the end, and that, as much as their success, has put rugby back on the map in Sydney.
Bernard Foley pushes his limits to land clutch winning penalty goal
Injured skipper Dave Dennis shed tears on the sideline, and coach Michael Cheika declared that NSW had found their voices again after the 61,823 supporters in the stadium roared the Tahs home.
"I had all my family and friends, this is my home state, and I was moved and touched by the crowd," Cheika said after the victory.
Israel Folau wins first premiership as Waratahs clinch Super Rugby title
"This year has almost been like the year New South Welshmen and women have decided that it's OK to cheer, if you see Origin and the way it happened, and these games over the last few weeks.
"We're passionate as well about supporting our home state, it was a really awesome feeling when they carried on like that and I truly think they got us over the line with that little bit extra."
Waratahs players celebrate winning the Super Rugby final at ANZ Stadium. Source: News Corp Australia
Never again can the Tahs be labelled chokers, pretty boys, or pretenders.
Here they stand as the best in the business, doing it the hard way against a team they had not beaten in 10 years.
NSW, who had lost to the Crusaders in the past 11 games including two finals, have finally shed the gorilla from their backs with a magnificent game to cap off an outstanding season in which they had the best attack, and best defence.
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.
Bernard Foley celebrates kicking the winning penalty for the Waratahs. Source: Getty Images
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.
Kurtley Beale's smile was as wide as the field. Israel Folau — claiming his first official premiership — screamed to the heavens.
The team sung their song as though they were releasing one of the great sporting burdens.
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.
Adam Ashley-Cooper celebrates scoring his second try. Source: Getty Images
A controversial try to former Waratah Nemani Nadolo in the second half, and one in the first half by Matt Todd, 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.
But it could not stop the Tahs' surge towards history.
And Cheika says NSW's debut premiership must now pave the way for the creation of a long-term identity in how the team plays rugby.
"We've always said, playing our way, laying this identity down and then letting our supporters enjoy that and intertwine, that's not going to finish now," Cheika said.
"It's not all done because we've won. It's great to get that victory but we want to lay a foundation.
"I'm looking for honesty, play the game we want, let our supporters enjoy that year upon year, so we can sit back and say I want to be a Waratahs fan because this is the way they play the game."
Wycliff Palu, Bernard Foley and Kurtley Beale celebrate winning the Super Rugby final. Source: Getty Images
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.
NSW claimed their ninth win in succession to finish a remarkable 2014 season.
In the end Foley's kicking, with eight goals from 10 attempts, swung it to the home side despite Slade kicking seven from seven.
Re-live the moment Bernard Foley kicked the Waratahs to their first ever Super Rugby title.
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 before Nadolo was set free down the touchline before 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.
Adam Ashley-Cooper celebrates scoring the opening try for the Waratahs. Source: News Corp Australia
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 Keiran 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.
Waratahs skipper Michael Hooper has spoke of his pride at his side's work ethic and determination after they defeated the Crusaders by the narrowest of margins in the Super Rugby final.
Foley pushed his side 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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