4: JOUBeRt KiLLs CRUsaDeRs DReaM

The Crusaders were going through, for them, a title drought after they had won in 2008. They had made the semi-final in 2010, the final in 2011, the semis again in 2012 and 2013 but couldn’t close the deal.

When they made the final again in 2014, against the Waratahs in Sydney they were determined to put an end to these near things.

They suffered a terrible start and went a long way behind in the first half hour but finally clicked into gear, played some good rugby and clawed their way back into the game.

With two minutes left they led 32-30 and had one hand on the trophy. The Waratahs had possession inside Crusaders’ territory in those dying minutes but All Blacks captain McCaw managed to do what he always does and poach a massive turnover to win possession and effectively win the game and the title.

But referee Craig Joubert claimed McCaw was offside – that he had not come in through the gate – and penalised him, allowing

Bernard Foley to kick the penalty and kill the dream for the Crusaders.

A few weeks later McCaw revealed on Radio Sport that Joubert had rung Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder and had “put his hand up” because that late decision was incorrect.

Joubert accepted that McCaw was onside and had every right to take the ball.