NSW five-eighth Shaun Berne kicked the goal of his life - a 51 metre penalty on the stroke of fulltime to secure a dramatic 34-31 win over the Crusaders in their Super 12 rugby match at Aussie Stadium.

Berne, in his fourth Super 12 start, missed four earlier kicks at goal but was on target with the longest, and most important attempt of the night, from a metre inside the halfway line.

His team-mates raced from all over the field to congratulate the 24-year-old, who was forced to take the kicks after regular kickers Matt Burke and Mat Rogers were forced out with injury.

The victory makes amends for a series of poor performances by the Waratahs, who lost twice at home - to South Africa's Stormers and arch rival Queensland - to dash a promising start to the season.

The result also atones for last year's 96-19 humiliation at the hands of the Crusaders who went on to win last year's tournament.

It looked like another match was going to slip away from the home side as the Crusaders asserted themselves in the second half after trailing 16-7 at halftime.

The Waratahs held the lead throughout the match until two quick Crusaders tries swung momentum back their way.

A converted try, scored by flanker Richie McCaw, edged the visitors to 21-21, before hooker Corey Flynn charged through a hole in the 62nd minute with Leon MacDonald converting to make it 28-21.

But the Waratahs held their resolve, with centre Morgan Turinui, replacing injured skipper Burke, crossing for his second try of the night, which was converted by Berne to level the scoreline.

As the clock counted down, the two sides traded penalties and it appeared the match would end in a draw until the referee Tappe Henning ruled the Crusaders were offside.

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