Beaten, beaten, beaten - the world of sport's biggest losers

Quarterback Jim Kelly took the Buffalo Bills to the Super Bowl four times in a row and lost every time. Photo / AP

The Super Rugby final enabled the Waratahs to finally shake off the tag of Sanzar bridesmaids -- and thrust the modern-day Crusaders into that role. That's three finals in succession in which they've come up empty-handed. But at least they've won a few (seven, to be exact). As Chris Rattue discovers, there are others with far greater tales of sporting woe.

Buffalo Bills - bowled in the Super Bowl

Buffalo's rapid fire offence directed by quarterback Jim Kelly took them to a record four consecutive Super Bowls -- all of which they lost.

The losing streak began with the outstanding Super Bowl in 1991, won by the New York Giants when Buffalo missed a long field goal attempt. They were crushed in the next three, and have never won the title or even been back to the big game.

Coach Marv Levy and his players from that era have generally taken it well. But Levy said a fan told him: "Please don't go back to the Super Bowl next year. I can't stand it. I get so depressed, I can't go to work the next day."

Raymond Poulidor - Tour de France nearly man

Called the Eternal Second, which is where he finished five times during the 1960s and '70s.

Photo / AP

Among the obstacles were a couple of great riders, Jacques Anquetil and Eddy Merckx. Poulidor became a favourite of the French, and his name a byword for coming second. "My name has passed into the everyday language - it's my greatest victory," he said. He did manage one Tour de France first, as the first rider to be drug tested.

Jimmy White - couldn't get a break

The English snooker star, a crowd favourite, played in six finals and lost them all, including five in a row. Superstars Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry accounted for five defeats.

Photo / AP

The 52-year-old still believes he can win the title, according to recent quotes. His mate and repeat world champ Ronnie O'Sullivan said: "I think the hardest battle [for White] was to keep coming back to the world championship year after year. That took courage."

The Netherlands - football World Cup pass

All three finals have been lost to West Germany (1974), Argentina (1978) and Spain (2010). The Dutch are among the world's finest teams and produce legendary players but there is a mental block come the big moment. The Dutch team has cocky characters but this doesn't translate into titles. The 1974 side represented an exciting football revolution, but the loss to Germany seemed to create debilitating doubts that linger to this day.

French rugby team - World Cup final losers

Three appearances, three losses - two against the All Blacks and one versus the Wallabies. France's World Cup upset wins over NZ and a romantic view of how they can play have tended to obscure their final failures.