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Michael Hooper, Kurtley Beale, and Israel Folau will never spearhead a more gutsy, more passionate win in the famous Waratah jersey than the last minute 32-30 success over the Stormers early this morning.
Winning at Newlands is always a big ask, but even more formidable with precious little possession and territory, watched by a parochial 25,000-plus crowd.
It was the exciting centre combination of Beale and Folau that kept the Waratahs in touch in the first half, despite just 30 per cent possession and not much more territory.
Will Skelton and Bernard Foley combined to send Beale through a gap and no one was going to stop him.
Then it was Beale’s turn to hold his pass until Folau was in the gap, and away went the big centre for his sixth try of the tournament.
That made the half-time score 14-10 in the Stomers’ favour, despite sorte after sorte testing the Waratah defence to the tune of 70 tackles, compared to the Stomers’ mere 29.
It was one-way traffic for the locals, but they didn’t count on Waratah grit.
The second half was much the same with the Waratahs having to make something out of virtually nothing.
But that didn’t stop the Waratahs putting together a great team try through 10 pairs of hands that included Beale and Folau and ended with Rob Horne touching down for the Waratahs to hit the front for the first time 25-23, with just 13 minutes to go.
According to the run of play, the Waratahs had no right to be in that position – then the question was asked, could they hold on with so little ball?
Lanky Stormers lock Pieter-Steph du Toit decided for the second time, enough is enough.
He picked up a loose ball and strolled over for a converted try for the Stormers to regain the lead 30-25 with seven minutes left on the clock.
Then it was the skipper’s turn that clinched man-of-the-match honours – and the match.
With the Waratahs pounding the Stormer line, Michael Hooper picked up and crashed over under the dot, Foley converted, and it all over red rover 32-30.
Simply magnificent.
While Hooper, Beale, and Folau deserve the accolades, No.8 Jed Holloway, behemoth lock Skelton, and full-back Andrew Kellaway must be recognised for their contribution.
A look at the Australian Conference table after the Rebels and Brumbies were beaten earlier, and that Newlands win has the Waratahs ready to take the lead.
The Rebels are on 23 points, the Brumbies 21, both after nine games, but the Waratahs have a game in hand, and lurk on 21.
The Waratahs have only one target, that’s to top the Australian Conference which is automatic entry in the finals series.
So the Waratahs must keep winning and if early this morning was an indication of where they are at, the target is very realistic, especially as hooker Tatafa Polota-Nau is ready for 80-minute stints after breaking his arm.
The Waratah road to the final series:
Cheetahs at Allianz
Bulls at Allianz
Crusaders at Christchurch
Chiefs at Allianz
Sunwolves at Tokyo
Hurricanes at AlIianz
Ad the Blues at Eden Park
Four of the last seven games are at home.
So let’s have 35,000-plus crowds at Allianz – the Waratahs deserve nothing less after their performance this morning.
Worth repeating – simply magnificent.