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Have the Waratahs arisen from their slumber?

23rd April, 2016
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Israel Folau ran riot for the Waratahs. (Source: AJF Photography)
Expert
23rd April, 2016
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For the vast majority of 535 minutes this Super Rugby season, Daryl Gibson’s Waratahs have left their fans blinking in disbelief watching basic rugby fundamentals ignored – passing, catching, support play, tackling, and lack of aggression.

And just for good measure, the Waratahs were constantly giving away penalties, and turning over possession.

Wasteful.

Last night in Perth, the Waratahs led the Force 17-6 at the break, and 20-13 at the 53rd minute.

Would the Waratahs butcher that handy lead, or would they kick on and take the points?

As if Gibson clicked the switch, suddenly the Waratahs poured on 29 points in the last 27 minutes with champagne rugby that featured quality passing, catching, support play, tackling, and aggression with precious few penalties and turnover ball.

Had the Waratahs been thoroughbreds, they would have been immediately swabbed for such a dynamic reversal of form.

They were simply brilliant, crossing for four tries that all included many hands, where even the dyed in the wool Force fans were applauding.

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Israel Folau scored his Waratah record-setting 30th try in his 52nd game, beating Lote Tuqiri’s 29 set in 89.

Folau was followed by the flying Reece Robinson, Angus Ta’avao, and exciting young No.8 Jed Holloway while Bernard Foley’s boot gave the Waratahs 29 points in 27 minutes to the final hooter.

The game finished with a 49-17 scoreline – and a bonus point for the Waratahs. The 2014 champs had surfaced from their season-long slumber with a vengeance.

Before Waratah fans start celebrating, the more accurate question would be why did the men in blue play such rubbish rugby for so long?

The answer hasn’t surfaced, and probably never will.

Only Foley, Kurtey Beale, Folau, and Holloway can be excused as not impersonating Rip van Winkle.

And special mention must be made of not only Holloway, but two more top prospects: fullback Andrew Kellaway and prop Tom Robinson.

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Kellaway is blossoming as the custodian which has allowed Gibson to pair Beale and Folau in the centres.

Despite his inexperience, Kellaway has proved how reliable he is under the high ball, how keen he is to chime into the backline, and his defence is solid.

Robinson is only 21, but is proving more than capable filling the tighthead prop void with Sekope Kepu playing overseas.

And it’s significant Holloway, Kellaway, and Robinson all re-signed with the Waratahs last week.

Next up for the Waratahs will be the Stormers in Cape Town where they need a repeat of those 27 magic minutes last night if they are to make up for seriously lost time and make the play-offs.

And for the record, congratulations to the ever reliable Dave Dennis on his 100th game, every one of them wholehearted performances.

Can’t wait for Newlands in the hope we see more of those 27 minutes.

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