Match Reports

The Crusaders ground out a gutsy 20-13 victory over the Waratahs at AMI Stadium tonight in a tight match which went right to the wire.

A big crowd of over 22,000 cheered on the Crusaders in the final minutes, with halfback Kahn Fotuali'i (pictured) scoring an important try four minutes from the end to give his side some breathing space.

This was much improved Waratahs side and they are worth their place near the top of the table. They mix tenacious defence, ably supported by the outstanding Phil Waugh, with the ability to hold on to the ball for extended periods.

They made the Crusaders work very hard for this win.

Indeed, their try came after an amazing 27 phases - the Crusaders only broken down by a grubber kick by first-five Daniel Halangahu for centre Rob Horne to score in the corner.

Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder paid credit to his side's ability to absorb the Waratahs pressure and come out on top.

''That was an outstanding match and I thought our team did very well against a top team in the Waratahs. They will cause a lot of sides some trouble in this competition,'' said Blackadder.

One classic match up was international loose forwards and team captains Richie McCaw v Waugh.

Waugh did exceptionally well to deny McCaw a try in the first half when managing to steal the ball away as the Crusaders skipper was in the act of forcing the ball down.

McCaw said: ''He did well to rip the ball away - I was a bit annoyed about it to say the least.''

Crusaders first-five Dan Carter went to the top of the Super rugby points scoring list with 15 points from five penalties. He now stands on 1022 career points, with Stirling Mortlock on 1019.

The Waratahs began well and their intentions were clear when winning two early penalties but electing to not take shots.

They wanted to put pressure on the Crusaders and harry the home team into mistakes but the red and blacks stood firm and it was Carter who drew first blood when kicking a penalty following a Crusaders scrum which destroyed the Waratahs pack.

Halangahu missed a chance to equalise when Wyatt Crockett was adjudged to have come in from the side of a ruck and Carter also missed a shot.

The Crusaders swept on to attack and stretched the Tahs defence with their width and adventure. A short ball by George Whitelock put McCaw over after 19 minutes but Waugh somehow stripped it and the chance was gone.

Crockett and No8 Kieran Read were becoming more and more involved. Crockett's ability to steal the ball was a big advantage to the Crusaders, as was Read's hard, straight running.

Another Carter penalty miss was followed by a fine run by Tahs fullback Kurtley Beale, who turned Robbie Fruean inside out and had the Crusaders defence scrambling.

Halangahu equalised after 30 minutes following a scrum penalty and Carter followed suit with a penalty eight minutes later when Tahs prop Al Baxter infringed in a ruck.

The game was in the balance at 6-3 to the Crusaders when halfback Kahn Fotuali'i was inexplicably sinbinned for a 'dangerous' tackle on Berrick Barnes in front of his posts.

In reality, the tackle simply drove Barnes backwards and it was a tough call on Fotuali'i who had another fine match.

Barnes kicked the penalty to make it 6-6 at the break.

Carter kicked a penalty after the break to make it 9-6 and the Tahs would have been annoyed at the backchat which had referee Craig Joubert marching them 10m and making it an easier kick.

Barnes hit a post with a penalty attempt before Horne's try for the Tahs put them up 9-13.

A Fotuali'i run put the Crusaders hot on attack and Beale was penalised at the ruck. Carter's penalty narrowed the gap to 12-13.

The Tahs were struck by misfortune when outstanding No8 Wycliff Palu limped off with a potentially serious knee injury.

A collapsed scrum with 15 minutes to go gave Carter the opportunity to put the Crusaders back in the lead and he delivered - 15-13.

With the Crusaders back on attack, a Beale intercept threatened to steal the game, but the fullback was penalised for offside.

Then came Fotuali'i's try which was confirmed by the TMO. It came after relentless pressure by the Crusaders who used the pick and go to good effect.

It was deserved victory by the Crusaders, who were the only New Zealand team to win in round nine. The four points put them up to second, equal on points with the Waratahs (who have a bye in the next round) and four points behind leaders the Bulls.

Crusaders - Try: Kahn Fotuali'i. Pens: Dan Carter (5).
Waratahs - Try: Rob Horne. Con: Daniel Halangahu. Pens: Halangahu, Berrick Barnes.

HT: 6-6.

Kickers
Crusaders - Carter 5 from 9
Waratahs - Halangahu 2 from 3. Barnes 1 from 2.

Crusaders:
1. Wyatt Crockett (Owen Franks 73min)
2. Ti'i Paulo
3. Owen Franks (Ben Franks 35)
4. Chris Jack (Sam Whitelock 63)
5. Brad Thorn
6. Richie McCaw (c)
7. George Whitelock (Thomas Waldrom 53)
8. Kieran Read
9. Kahn Fotuali'i
10. Dan Carter
11. Zac Guildford
12. Ryan Crotty
13. Robbie Fruean (Adam Whitelock 61)
14. Sean Maitland
15. Colin Slade

Reserves not used:
16. Daniel Perrin
20. Willi Heinz
22. Jared Payne