Why Dave Rennie has cause to be optimistic despite Australia's uninspiring start to Super Rugby

However, replacement hooker Alex Mafi swept around and connected with fly-half Isaac Lucas, who opened up a gap for Speight to charge into scoring a wonderfully executed move.

The Reds have already illustrated they will bring a greater variance to their attack in 2020.

Both sides looked to play directly and were not lured by the width early. It’s a shame the Waratahs did not adopt the same attacking principle more often as their decision-making while in possession was, at times, appalling.

They were often too spaced in the attack, isolating themselves to become easy targets for the Crusaders' defence. Sadly, the remedy was often to look to pass to another isolated attacker.

This was not lost on veteran New Zealand broadcaster Grant Nisbett, who on more than one occasion commented on how the Waratahs were guilty of passing to a player in a worse position than the passer himself.

Debutant flyhalf Will Harrison had a courageous debut, but his job was not made easy by such tactics, and as his six tackles from 11 attempts indicates, he does have defensive frailties.

When the Waratahs did look to play closer and flatter through the midfield, they did trouble the Crusaders, with tries to winger Alex Newsome and 19-year-old sensation Mark Nawaqanitawase originating from such efforts.

If Rob Penney's side are to realise the full potential of Nawaqanitawase, they should look to allow him to attack both sides of his opposing winger, not just the outside with a sideline to contend with.

With that much space, they should attack the middle channel with greater intent drawing defenders away from him.

The Waratahs' game management, however, was dreadful.

They kicked from the midfield when they should have passed, and insisted on doing so late in the game when they had a bench that was providing energy in the collision, yet they surprisingly appeared determined to give the Crusaders possession.

Not a wise decision as the Crusaders are the most adept side in counter-attack and one would have thought Penney would have been more tactically attuned.

It is no easy task to travel to New Zealand and take on the Crusaders in round one but the scoreline of 43-25 flattered the Waratahs who were disjointed and woeful in defence at times.

Consider that in the Brumbies vs Reds encounter, collectively both sides missed 43 tackles. The Waratahs missed 36 all by themselves and that is telling if the defence is an attitude barometer.

There were some very good individual performances, though. Michael Hooper, in particular, was tireless as ever and eased the pressure of his side, securing no less than four turnovers at the breakdown.

However, individual efforts were not enough and the Waratahs should look be more cohesive next round and play with a greater focus and directness with efforts around the fringes as opposed to all-out width too often.

The Rebels were deservedly defeated by a determined Sunwolves in Fukuoka. Although a late surge by Dave Wessels' men put them within striking distance of an unlikely victory, the greatest concern is that the Rebels lacked mental application from the start, conceding two early tires.