1 Jun 2013

Crusaders squeak past Waratahs

11:12 am on 1 June 2013

The Crusaders have escaped with a 23-22 victory over the New South Wales Waratahs in Friday night's Super Rugby game in Christchurch.

The visitors led 15-10 at half-time and the Crusaders only took the lead through a late 49-minute penalty from Daniel Carter, while the Waratahs kicker, Berrick Barnes, missed what would have been the match-winning penalty after the siren.

The loss effectively ends the Waratahs' finals hopes and their coach Michael Cheika is devastated.

He's questioning the performance of the referee for a second straight week, saying the game was taken away from his side, who scored three tries to two and twice led by 12 points before a series of penalties swung the momentum back in the Crusaders' favour.

The Crusaders captain George Whitelock admitted after the game they were lucky to win.