Waratahs v Crusaders: Five takeaways as ‘special talent’ the provider for record-equalling All Blacks star
Sevu Reece made it 65 Super Rugby tries on Friday.
Following a 48-33 win for the Crusaders over the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, here’s our five takeaways from the Super Rugby Pacific fixture on Friday.
The top line
The Crusaders climbed to second in the Super Rugby Pacific table as a first-half masterclass helped them to victory against a Waratahs outfit that was slow out of the gate.
Johnny McNicholl, Braydon Ennor, Ioane Moananu and Chay Fihaki all scored in the opening half before Cullen Grace, Sevu Reece, and Tom Christie secured the result.
Rivez Reihana and James O’Connor added extras off the tee, however, the Crusaders just came up short of a bonus point that might cost them top spot in the standings.
Langi Gleeson (2), Miles Amatosero and Darby Lancaster crossed for the Waratahs, who despite an admirable rally in the second half, suffered a seventh loss of the year.
Record for Reece
The All Blacks wing’s try today at Allianz Stadium catapults him to the Super Rugby try-scoring summit on 65 tries, joining the Hurricanes’ legend TJ Perenara there.
Reece took his crossing supremely well as when given an inch he always makes it count and you could see what the milestone meant to both him and his team-mates.
Now the challenge will be to surpass the great scrum-half and with two games remaining before the play-offs, you wouldn’t bet against him moving clear at the top.
Reihana class
There’s just something special about the fly-half, and his quality was on show, especially in the first 40, as he opened doors at will, putting his team-mates into space.
He had a big hand in McNicholl’s early score as he ghosted through a hole before finding his full-back and later his miss pass for Fihaki’s try was a thing of beauty.
Reihana was shifted to full-back in the second half once O’Connor emerged from the sidelines, and that didn’t stop him from being a provider as he slipped through several would-be tacklers before drawing the last man and putting Reece over for his record-equalling try. The 24-year-old oozes class and looks very much a special talent.
Johnny reborn
The former Wales international racked up over 100 metres in the first period alone as he enjoyed a hugely positive outing in the red and black jersey, scoring one try.
That crossing came early in the piece as his ability to be in the right place at the right time – a knack he has had all career – served him well as he strolled over the line.
He might be 34 years old, but you would not think it as McNicholl glided over the sodden turf like a player in his early 20s and seems like he has years ahead of him.
McKellar pressure
In their final home match of the 2025 campaign, this was an opportunity for the Waratahs to give their fans reason to cheer after what’s been a disappointing season.
However, a sluggish start against their title-chasing visitors saw them succumb to a seventh loss out of 12 matches, which does not make for pretty reading for fans.
Therefore, the pressure is surely mounting on head coach Dan McKellar, especially after his team claimed just two wins in the entirety of last term, finishing bottom.
The ‘Tahs end the season with two away games, against Western Force and Blues, and one can’t help but feel there’s a lot riding on the results for this coaching team.
