A newly-shorn Drew Mitchell spearheaded a record-breaking NSW effort as the Waratahs answered their critics with a 73-12 thrashing of the Lions in their Super 14 rugby clash at Sydney Football Stadium on Friday night.
Mitchell became the first Waratah to score four tries in a Super game and NSW also logged franchise Super records of 11 tries and eight conversions, all kicked by inside centre Berrick Barnes.
The team tally exceeded the Waratahs’ previous Super best of 53 points and eclipsed their former competition-best winning margin of 47.
Widely lambasted for a dour display in their season home opener against the Sharks, the Waratahs took just half an hour to earn a bonus point and scored five first-half tries to canter to a 33-5 lead at the interval.
They scored six more in the second half with winger Lachie Turner and replacement halfback Josh Holmes both finishing with two tries.
“You don’t go into a game expecting you might be able to score like that, but it’s not a surprise,” NSW coach Chris Hickey said.
“I guess it’s the culmination of things we’ve been working on for quite a while and it’s nice to see it all come off, that’s for sure.”
NSW were rewarded for not taking a single penalty shot at goal, instead opting for quick taps and kicks to touch for lineouts.
“It wasn’t that we threw away three points and ended up at the other end of the field. We actually took points away from when we made those decisions, rather than take penalty shots for goal,” NSW captain Phil Waugh said.
“Probably the most pleasing aspect was when we made mistakes we kept playing rather than reverting to kicking or going into our shells.
“The guys are going to a huge amount of effort to play a highly skilled game and play an entertaining game because the guys are fully aware that we want to get high crowds.”
Mitchell, who was boasting a shiny pate after a haircut earlier in the day, did some cutting of his own, both before and during the game.
“I actually had two haircuts. I had one this morning and I got home I wasn’t too pleased with it, so I got the clippers out and had a crack myself,” Mitchell said.
“I might have to put it into my pre-game ritual every week.
“The key thing for me and I guess the thing I’ll probably take most confidence out of, is you run those routes every week and sometimes you don’t get that pay.
“Tonight, it just seemed to sort of come off.”
He terrorised the Lions, though he did gift them a first-half try to opposing winger Tonderai Chavhanga after failing to ground a kick in his in-goal area.
The Waratahs rampage was set up by a strong forwards effort.
Waugh, who was making a NSW-record 119th appearance, and fellow flanker Dave Dennis were impressive, along with locks Dean Mumm and Kane Douglas.
Lions coach Dick Muir said it was a poor showing by his side, but felt the Waratahs deserved huge credit, especially on defence.
“We wanted to come out and play this evening. Unfortunately the Waratahs defence was outstanding and they didn’t give us too much space to move in,” Muir said.
“When we turned the ball over they just capitalised on that and it looked like we didn’t have any defence.”
The only injury concern for Hickey was a hamstring injury to No.8 Wycliff Palu.
Lorry
Guest
One of Mitchell's tries (the one where a teammate popped up that perfectly timed pass) last saturday night reminded me if one Campo scored against maybe Argentina in 1991 world cup. Gordon Bray's commentary went something like: "they didn't lay a finger on him, the man is an absolute magician"! The only other player for Aust. that we've seen recently who could do that stuff was Mat Rogers (who I personally think was the second best league convert, only bettered by Andrew Walker for his overall game and lack of injuries). Why Rogers never got the recognition he deserved is beyond me. Perhaps because he's from Cronulla, via the Gold Coast!!!
Jameswm
Guest
I don't think the Lions are as bad as everyone said - the Tahs really were on fire. They lost their fear of failure, and most of thir tries were NOT through missed tackles. The Tahs offloaded, moved the ball and backed up. They played skilful rugby, and tough when they had to be. I was there and I thought Mumm should have been MOM - he just killed them. Next job is to hit the Force at full pelt right from the start - like the Reds did. Then assuming we win that, we'll all see what happens against the Blues. Well done Tahs - you got right on top of an average team and didn't let them back into it - defended well against a good attacking team and played with vigour and enthusiasm - all the things we've been accusing them of lacking. Look what your wingers can do when they get a bit of space. Imagine if Horne played the full match!
Ora
Guest
You imply because they had a close game against a Brumbies outfit straight off the plane from their South African tour that they (Lions) are a decent team. The Lions are totally ridiculous and would have to be the laughing stock of world rugby right now. The Tahs did well but like I said it pays not to take this win out of context.
JK
Roar Rookie
To use your own words in previous posts Ora, read what I wrote, did I talk up the Lions? Did I even talk up the Tah's? Your comments border on trolling most of the time, you either point out the blatantly obvious or throw in a comment to get a bite.
Ora
Guest
So because the Waratahs scored 11 tries its all good news for rugby is that what some of you are trying to tell us here? The Lions were woeful to say the least and that is being far too kind. You can not tell me that this pack of saffas even bothered trying because they simply didn't, to say they did would be lying and blowing your own ego a bit too much. The first half was somewhat competitive and the Tahs did some good things, however that last fourty was nothing but an absolute farce from the Lions. It was disgraceful and they should really think about if they are worthy of playing in this competition, you cannot decide which day you will compete and which days you will retereat to your cave. I'd say after Fridays performance South African rugby powers should really be asking themselves if they can justify maintaining 5 teams in this competition. As it stands after 5 weeks of Super rugby there are two winless SA teams. Of course the Force are scrapping the Barrel at the moment but it is kind of expected especially after so many injuries and having played one less game to date. The Highlanders round out the bottom 4 with one win so you could say it is balancing out the competition. Like I said the Saffas and the Lions need to take a cold hard look in the mirror and ask themselves some serious questions, that type iof scoreline is just unacceptable in Super rugby.
Ora
Guest
You would have to be an absolute tool if you believe this Lions outfit was a good side, blow up the Tahs at your own peril JK
JK
Roar Rookie
Brumbies only managed to beat them
Jimmy
Guest
I concur People are getting far too carried away with what the Waratahs did against the Lions. I'd say the Force would fancy themselves putting 50+ past the Lions right now
Jimmy
Guest
The Lions are a bloody awful side your only kidding yourself Bay if you think otherwise
Jimmy
Guest
Exactly lets remember who they were up against. The lions were absolutely pathetic and aren't even worthy of playing in the Super 14
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Are you kidding? It's fantastic! People have been whinging about the Waratahs since the dawn of man and then they score 11 tries in a match and people are kind of embarrassed. It's DELICIOUS.
Derm
Roar Guru
Since SANZAR/IRB is all for enforcing regulations, and monitoring performances, etc, how about putting a little pressure on the Lions coaching team? Do the Lions even have a defence coach? I don't care how good the Tahs were, and full marks to Mitchell, but for a top-drawer team in a top-drawer league to concede 73 points is just abysmal. No surprise that the Lions were involved in one of the other large scoring matches recently. In my view, this kind of scoreline, does no one any favours. At least most commentators on the Tahs match aren't now assuming that the Tahs will go on to have a try-fest every game, but they've shown they can score tries, a big improvement from previous matches. If the IRB and or SANZAR are happy to pillory refs and sack them, then some kind of public censue needs to follow against the Lions - they were pure crapola.
katzilla
Roar Guru
Not really affected personally by your statement, note the 'lol' afterwards. But that kind of sentiment would be more appropriate after the Waratahs use their new found firepower in a Desert Storm type game against an organised force like the Crusaders/Bulls/Brumbies etc. Not the Helpless and rudderless Lions.
Alders
Guest
Seems to work ok for the A-League.
bennalong
Guest
I'm not the one getting carried away katzilla. I simply asked for a fair go for the team getting caned early in the season quite unreasonably. IMO the knockers - and there was a number of them calling themselves supporters - were carrying on like pork chops. Your battle analogy is cute but misplaced. That WAS a game of fantastic skills and running Rugby but no-one said it represented anything more than the Tahs doing exactly what they said they had planned. And a lot of it. But maybe from your reaction the "up yours" found a mark ! Eh?
Hawko
Guest
Not even the Saders away? Man you are an optimist, that game will be tough. The Bulls have all their hard games at home and easy games away. That means the final will be at altitude - that game won't be easy either.
johnny-boy
Guest
Congratulations to the Tahs. Well done. Hey you actually can play footy !. It will take a few more swallows (not of beer) to convince me 100% that this team has an 'Australian' - ave a go quality to it. To expand, it is a laughable modern day myth that the All Blacks are the originators of fast running expansive rugby. The All Blacks only started getting 'expansive' after the Alan Jones, Bob Dwyer, Rod Macqueen Wallaby teams started running a few rings round them, that the All Blacks thought hey - we'd better do something about this. Funnily enough, about the same time the Wallabies thought hey, we can run rings round the All Blacks in the backs, let's try and take them on up front. Not surprisingly it brought, imho, a lowering of All Black forward standards and at the same time Wallaby backline play. I may be being sentimental but it would be nice if we could revert to normal transmission. It seemed more fun then for each country to be pitting their natural instincts against each other (springbok thuggery excepted) ps if Drew Mitchell ever learns to eliminate stupid errors from his game, he could regain a significant part his former glory. He was electric when he 1st arrived.
rugbyfuture
Roar Guru
slowly changing m1tch, slowly changin
M1tch
Roar Guru
yeh 4 attempts by the dragons..thats a slow first 20 mins in rugby union isnt it? sorry couldnt help myself ;) good to see tahs actually through the ball
Fragglerocker
Roar Rookie
I'm not looking forward to the Brumbies match at Homebush. That stadium looks virtually empty when there is less than 30,000. An empty stadium is a terrible advertisement for the game.