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While head coach Michael Ckeika is the obvious mastermind of the Waratahs cementing a first-time home Super Rugby final next Saturday night, it’s defence coach Nathan Grey who deserves the accolades last night.
A look at the 26-8 scoreline would suggest it was a walk in the park for the Waratahs.
Far from it.
The Brumbies threw everything but the kitchen sink at the men-in-blue in front of a very worried 38,800.
But the Waratah defence took on a Fort Knox appearance, thanks to Grey.- himself a blockbusting defensive inside centre during his 39 Wallaby caps between 1998 and 2003.
I don’t believe the official stats that state the Waratahs made 104 tackles to 98, almost on par.
For starters, the Waratahs spent the best part of 20 minutes in the second half tackling their hearts out as wave after wave of Brumby attacks were launched.
And every one of the 15 on the paddock played their part, even though it was half Nick Phipps who made three spectacular try-saving tackles on his own.
As a result the Brumbies were kept tryless for 50 tension-filled minutes after exciting winger Henry Speight scored wide out before he left the field with what appeared to be a torn hamstring.
Those endless tryless minutes must have been painful for the Brumbies, who gave up seven easy penalty shots looking for seven-pointers.
Jacques Potgieter sprints (Photo: Glenn Nicholls)
And they never came.
So exit Brumbies, come on down Crusaders who made the Sharks look very ordinary in their ruthless 38-6 demoliotion at Christchurch. scoring five unanswered tries.
The Crusaders won’t enjoy those defensive lapses next Saturday night at ANZ in the decider.
Can the Waratahs win their first Super title?
Of course they can, but it will be the biggest ask of the season. As luck would have it, the two finalists haven’t met this season, so it will be new to both.
And by what route will the Waratahs win?
First up Michael Ckeika’s positive attacking rugby as head coach, Nathan Grey’s rock solid defence patterns, Daryl Gibson as the attack coach who was the Crusaders assistant coach, and the unpredictability and sheer brilliance of match-winners Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, and Will Skelton.
On paper, the Crusaders have a DNA second to none. They have been in 13 straight finals series, won the championship seven times, and been in three losing finals.
By comparison, the Waratahs have never won, but been in two losing finals in 2005 and 2008, both against the Crusaders on their soil.
This time it’s on the Waratahs soil.
There are two weak spots in the positive Waratah armour – Tatafa Polota-Nau, and Nick Phipps.
Hooker Polota Nau’s lineout feeding is beyond belief. If he had to hit an elephant on the backside from five metres, I wouldn’t have a bet on it.
Polota-Nau has no ball-sense, essential to feeding the lineout accurately.
Phipps wanders between simply brilliant, usually in defence, to bouncing passes to his supports, passing high, or passing behind supports, to damage momentum.
And while he’s busy not doing his job, he’s constantly telling the referee how to control the game.
Zip it, and get on with your job Nick Phipps, and the Waratahs will be the beneficiaries.
And they will need it against the Crusaders.
This promises to be a classic between the two best teams in the tournament who finished 1-2 in regulation, just as it should be.