SBW runs out of luck as Crusaders rise

PHIL GIFFORD

Last updated 05:00 08/07/2012

Luke Romano, Jason Rutledge and George Whitelock

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OPINION: Fifteen questions from the Crusaders versus Chiefs game.

Was this a world-class match? Hell yes. As good as a test? Either side would be odds-on to win the Six Nations tournament in the northern hemisphere. Really? Brilliant attack, fierce defence, and a total of around eight players on the field who'd make most world XVs. Definitely as good as a test, better than most.

Does the loss mean the Chiefs won't win the Super title? Not if the players benefit from having played in a cauldron, and learn to control the nerves that turned the lineout, as a prime example, into a butter-fingered mess. There were signs in the last 10 minutes they had.

Will the Crusaders win then? Don't bet against it, unless they lose two out of the trio of Kieran Read, Dan Carter and Richie McCaw to injury. Read, now as good as any No8 to ever wear an All Blacks jersey, has progressed to become an all-time great.

So was Read the key player for the Crusaders? Almost. You still couldn't go past Carter. His goal-kicking was important, but the way he read the game was crucial. No wonder Sir Fred Allen rated him the best first-five he'd ever seen.

Who was the key player for the Chiefs? Sonny Bill Williams, for good and bad. His try that kept them in the game was an astounding feat of strength and cool thinking. His lack of awareness in the last minute, going for a try with two unmarked men outside him, cost them a possible draw.

Did Andy Ellis actually score his try? The ball was grounded over the line, but Ellis was tackled just short and pushed forward by Sam Whitelock.

So, if Ellis had actually stopped moving, should he have been penalised for rabbiting? Head of the NZRU high performance referees, Rod Hill, claimed on Radio Sport that Ellis "was driven straight across" in a split second. On the other hand, looking several times at the video replay, it's very much a 50-50 call. Really, in the end, as the Crusaders found last week against the Hurricanes, a try's a try when five points go up on the scoreboard.

What's the biggest worry the Chiefs coaching squad has now? Working on the scrum. The lineout wobbles were out of character. But scrum problems are usually more deep-seated.

Worries for the Crusaders? Medical reports, and a real return to attacking form from Israel Dagg. His aerial defensive work, and one crazily brave slide to capture a rolling ball, were breath-taking. But the magical attacking Dagg who stunned the Wallabies at the start of last year's World Cup semifinal when he fended off Rocky Elsom, and, as he was tumbling towards touch in a tackle, flicked up a pass for Ma'a Nonu, has yet to emerge.

Golden moment in the game? Not one of the tries, but the blistering open-field break by Sona Taumalolo in the first half. A prop showing so much pace made the first time Susan Boyle opened her mouth and sang on television look predictable.

Best player only his family had heard of before last year's ITM Cup? Andrew Horrell. First-five, fullback, no sweat. Turns out he's a handy centre too.

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What should happen now for the Crusaders? Making sure no complacency creeps in for Saturday's game with the Force in Christchurch.

For the Chiefs? Easing through training so the brutal 80 minutes with the Crusaders doesn't leave then jaded on Friday night in Wellington against the Hurricanes.