NSW coach Chris Hickey applauded his side for making the Super 14 playoffs despite the Stormers’ suffocating defence squeezing the life out of the Waratahs’ campaign in a 25-6 semi-final victory in Cape Town.
The result set up an all-South African final next weekend in Soweto, where the ladder-leading Bulls gave themselves a shot at a third title in four years with a 39-24 win over the Crusaders in the first semi-final.
Impressive Stormers centre Juan de Jongh scored the only try of a scrappy penalty-riddled affair at Newlands.
Five-eighth Peter Grant converted and kicked six penalties, as South African referee Mark Lawrence punished the ill-disciplined Waratahs for numerous infringements in the scrums, lineouts and at the breakdown.
The visiting forwards made little ground through the pick and drive, while the in-form back three of fullback Kurtley Beale and wingers Mitchell and Lachie Turner had limited opportunities.
Poor discipline apart, NSW were unable to capitalise on the occasions they did breach the Stormers’ renowned defence, especially in the second half, where hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, centre Tom Carter and Mitchell couldn’t find team mates near the Stormers line.
“We did make several line breaks and unfortunately we just threw the ball away and we couldn’t build any pressure because we just turned the ball over,” Hickey said.
While the Waratahs failed to emulate their franchise tournament-best effort of losing finalists in 2005 and 2008, Hickey drew some solace from their 2010 campaign and the development of some of their younger players.
“It’s a tough competition and to make the finals in itself is an achievement,” Hickey told AAP.
Hickey, who is set to lead NSW for a third season next year, was guarded about potential personnel changes and which areas of the team needed bolstering.
Their overseas-born recruits, fullback Sosene Anesi and forwards Hendrik Roodt and Cam Jowitt, were largely peripheral figures.
“When we get back to Sydney we’ll have a pretty comprehensive review of the season and as part of that review we’ll look at the playing personnel,” Hickey said
The Waratahs have already re-signed most of their stars for next season, with Wallabies and Waratahs scrum lynchpin Benn Robinson the only big name yet to commit to their 2011 campaign.
Two other front rowers, prop Dan Palmer (Brumbies) and veteran hooker Adam Freier (Rebels), are the only significant losses and neither was a regular starter this year.
At Newlands, Grant kicked two penalties to give the Stormers an early 6-0 lead, but the Waratahs drew level after their pivot Berrick Barnes landed a penalty and a field goal.
NSW paid dearly for fluffing the restart after the field goal, with de Jongh stepping past prop Dan Palmer and Beale and Mitchell.
Up 13-6 at the break, the more disciplined Stormers cruised to victory in the second half, with Grant booting four more penalties.
“In the first ten minutes of the second half, we gave away about six penalties,” Hickey rued.
“We had to be really strong in that period of time to regain momentum in the game … that made it pretty easy for them very hard for us.
“I’ve got no complaints about the referee’s performance tonight.”
Hickey said NSW hadn’t been able to play exactly the style of rugby it wanted to against the Stormers, who had easily the best defensive record in this year’s competition.
“We would have liked to have probably had a little bit more go-forward,” he said.
“Then, off the back off that, I felt we could have been more effective with our play.”
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