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After the Waratahs loss to the Force last weekend, it looked like we were back to the Waratahs of old.
Many said that, after a strong start to the season, the Tahs had fallen back into their inconsistent ways.
I saw a different view. Being an avid Tahs fan is hard work. However, over all the years I’ve toiled by the television and at the ground, this is the first year that I can see clear championship potential.
Not enough has been said about the gutsy win against the Stormers in Cape Town. Regardless of form, to walk away with a win out of a two-game series in the Republic is an achievement for any Super Rugby team.
Impressively, it was a win achieved by well-drilled defence, effective goal kicking and a good try when the opportunity presented itself. They showed they could win ugly.
Going into last week’s game against the in-form Force, I was extremely optimistic. I thought (and still think) the men from the west are winning purely as a result of their individual talents, and evidently strong mateship – most telling is that they are winning despite their coach’s influence.
Whoever their forwards and defence coaches are, they deserve considerable praise because both those facets are extremely efficient in the Force. Where they are let down are tactics, strategy, the ability to control phases and have long periods of possession, and most importantly attack.
Two out of the three tries scored by the Force against the Tahs were against the run of play. One was an intercept and a scoop on the loose ball, both capitalised upon by the incumbent Wallaby winger Nick Cummins.
On both occasions the Waratahs had been mounting pressure, moving up the field easily and had connected multiple phases together, before both times making a crucial error.
I am not taking anything away from the Force. It was a well deserved win by an opportunistic side.
However the Tahs will win many more games with their attacking philosophy and disciplined structure. The better team will join the Brumbies in the finals – and the Force will not be there at season’s end.
The Tahs however, may well be.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.