We should have known it would come to this. An Australian rugby team poised to clinch a trophy it has long desired. And there he stands yet again as the final obstacle – New Zealand's premier five-eighth Dan Carter.
The bookies reckon the Waratahs, who are deserved minor premiers with a homeground semi-final, are dead certainties for the title. But Black Caviar-like odds ($2 with most bookies) for a side that has lost its only two previous grand final appearances, both to the Crusaders, in 2005 and 2008? No thanks.
In fact, it's the Crusaders who are the team to back now that Carter is back fully fit after a six-month sabbatical. And Carter was also there against the Tahs in 2005 and 2008. For every narrative that suggests this is the year of the Tahs (and there have been plenty), there's a counter-story that says the Crusaders, the most successful franchise in Super rugby history with seven titles, should clinch gong number eight with the world's most influential player back in play.
The Crusaders still need to secure second spot on the overall conference ladder to get the other home semi. However, they wouldn't be too perturbed to miss out to the Sharks, as they would still fancy themselves to go the long route with aspects of their game still out of sorts. Indeed, an extra game to iron out the chinks could actually be useful for coach Todd Blackadder, who still needs to decide where he plays Carter if Colin Slade (concussion) is fit. Carter is untouchable at 10, but he's no slouch at 12 either, as the Blues' Maa Nonu discovered at the weekend.
This is not a Crusaders side of the Robbie Deans era that mauled all before them. But the 2014 Crusaders have a trio of hugely successful All Blacks in Carter, Richie McCaw and Kieran Read, who rarely lose when on the field at the same time. Of the three, it's Carter who ought to be feared the most. The 32-year-old, 100-cap All Black showed ominous signs against the Blues. Playing first at 12 and then moving to 10 after Slade was concussed, Carter showed he still has it to dominate at the highest level.
It was a typical Carter performance; patience and efficiency personified, and then he pounces when the moment presents itself, as he did when offloading in the tackle for winger Nemani Nadolo's match-clinching try. It was classic Carter – he sits back and waits, and waits some more, and then in a blink of an eye he shoots you dead. He truly is a gentleman with finely-honed killer instincts.
The Crusaders don't deserve to win this year's title on season-long form. In a just world, it ought to be the Tahs by some margin. But sport is rarely just and no one cares or remembers in the end – to the winner, the spoils. Carter has won just about everything the game can offer. One more Super grand final win for him and the Crusaders wouldn't surprise in the slightest.
Round 18 results: Chiefs 24-16 Hurricanes; Lions 34-17 Rebels; Crusaders 21-13 Blues; Force 30-20 Reds; Stormers 16-0 Bulls; Cheetahs 27-20 Sharks; Waratahs 44-16 Highlanders.
