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If the Waratahs ever follow coach Michael Cheika’s game plan to the letter, there’s no team in Super Rugby that can live with the men in blue.
Last night’s 39-8 flogging of the injury-decimated Brumbies catapulted the Waratahs to the top of the tournament table with just two games to go before the finals series.
But while the scoreline was comprehensive, it should have been a lot higher with the Brumbies minus 10 on the injured list and losing powerhouse centre Tevita Kuridrani to concussion 11 minutes into the game.
Marking the Waratahs too hard?
Not on your life, if the Waratahs butcher 66 per cent possession by making elementary mistakes like turning over possession 19 times, kicking away possession 29 times, and missing 15 tackles – the good sides will make them pay.
But if the Waratahs stick to Cheika’s ball in hand policy, a first Super Rugby title is there for the taking. The side’s destiny is in their own hands.
Two facets stand out.
Cheika’s long-standing challenge to change Wallaby culture is starting to take hold, and the Waratahs quality across the park is exciting.
Heading the charge is openside flanker Michael Hooper who will captain the side now Dave Dennis will most likely miss the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.
Rotten luck for Dennis, and the Waratahs.
But there are four key areas to Super Rugby success, starting with locks Will Skelton and Kane Douglas who form a powerful engine room, Number 8 Wycliff Palu playing the rugby of his life, the midfield combination of Kurtley Beale and Israel Folau as top-drawer game-breakers and entertainers, with the icing on the cake from Bernard Foley’s trusty boot and generalship.
They are the keys to the Waratahs’ try-scoring machine, lying second with 45 to the Hurricanes’ 48, And that translates to the Hurricanes earning 9 bonus points, and the Waratahs 8.
Next up for the Waratahs will be the Highlanders at Allianz, finishing with the Reds at Suncorp in their usual interstate grudge match.
Allianz is important, the Waratahs play far better there, and rugby lovers are far more at home at Allianz than ANZ.
There were 29,000 die-hards at ANZ last night.
If there has to be games at ANZ, let’s have no more fireworks, and the pall of smoke hanging over the ground and stands after kickoff, choking players and spectators.
But back to the rugby, does anyone want to back against the Waratahs claiming their first Super title?