Meyer Bosman, back, of the Sharks tackles Ryan Cross, front, of the Waratahs during their Super rugby match against in Durban, South Africa, Saturday, May 28, 2011. (AP Photo/Str).
Two superb pieces of rugby from much-maligned fly-half Daniel Halangahu couldn’t save the Waratahs from a 26-21 defeat by the Sharks in Durban overnight.
In the space of 12 minutes either side of the break, Halangahu single-handedly turned a 13-6 deficit into an 18-13 lead with a string of penalties kicked in the last 10, and the story of the match is Halangahu,
Five minutes from the break, with the Sharks enjoying a mountain of possession, fly-half Patrick Lambie made a sensational break 50 metres out, but his support lost the ball in sight of the Waratah’s try-line.
Miraculously Waratah Dave Dennis regained possession on the chalk, and slipped the ball to Halangahu who took off down the blind side and was immediately in the clear.
Waratah centre Lachlan Turner loomed inside, as Halangahu skirted the left-hand touchline.
He’d covered 65 metres, drawing the Sharks No 8 Keegan Daniel, the last defender, before unloading to Turner who wrong-footed Daniel to score in the corner.
Magnificent rugby by both sides over 150 metres, but it was Halangahu seizing the opportunity that produced the points.
Kurtley Beale missed the conversion, and they went into the break with the Sharks leading 13-11.
Seven minutes into the second half, with a wall of Sharks defenders in front of him 30 metres out, Halangahu slipped through to score to the right of the posts without a hand being laid on him. Beale converted, the Waratahs led 18-13.
It was hard to compare the Halangahu of last night, with his previous appearances for the men-in-blue this season.
Gone was the hesitancy, and the fumbles, replaced with a full-on confidence that sparked the backline when they eventually saw the ball, which was as scarce as hen’s teeth.
Those two moments of magic from Halangahu deserved a better fate, and it wouldn’t have mattered had Waratahs half-back Luke Burgess not thrown an appalling head-high pass at pace to replacement Pat O’Connor, an impossible pass to take.
The ball bounced off O’Connor’s head-gear into the waiting arms of the Sharks, resulting in JP Pietersen’s converted try and a 21-20 scoreline in the Waratahs’ favour.
Take that Burgess blunder out, and the Waratahs were safe, which would have been poetic justice.
The Waratahs were forced to make two very late changes, with prop Sekope Kepu, and centre Ryan Cross, both pulling up injured.
Al Baxter came in for Kepu, Turner moved in one for Cross, Afa Pakalani filled Turner’s wing spot.
But the late changes didn’t stop the Waratahs defending like men possessed.
The “official” stats show the Sharks had 52 per cent possession, but it was more like 60, and some change.
And most of the time they were camped in Waratah territory, which says volumes for the defensive pattern, and the men-in-blue’s ticker.
There’s no argument the Sharks had enough ball to win by at least 40 points, but the gallant loss leaves the Waratahs precariously placed sixth on the ladder, with the two-time defending Bulls breathing down their neck.
And the Bulls are the Waratahs’ next assignment on Friday night, in the lofty altitude of Loftus.
So where do the Waratahs stand?
The Reds have 54 points, Blues 54, Stormers 52, Crusaders 48, Sharks 47, Waratahs 46, Bulls 45, and Highlanders 44 – the remaining seven are virtually done-and-dusted.
And to complete week 15 this afternoon at Suncorp, with a 40,000-plus crowd beckoning, the Reds and Crusaders do battle in what promises to be a cracker.
The Waratahs accept the Reds will top the Australian Conference to automatically qualify for the finals, but a loss to the Crusaders will keep them in touch with the wild-card aspirants where there are five for three spots, and just four points covering the lot.
Leaving a fascinating last three weeks before the finals, as the inaugural Super 15 unfolds.
nicksa
Guest
suzy i agree with u. The thing is when u have a class team like the reds that are in an easier conference u r going to have a situation where they are bound to win the overall table. who needs a melon- do u really believe the rebels, force and brumbies are decent teams?? leave all the bias out of it. Damo- really dumb point there.
schtumpy
Roar Rookie
Ironic that the only team currently in the top 6 to have beaten the Reds this season is the Waratahs...
Suzy Poison
Guest
I have to agree with you johnny-boy, I can't condone that type of play. I don't understand what the point is anyway, it's just a yellow card waiting to happen. Pure stupidity really. Jake white cleaned up the stereo-typical bad-boy Bok player image, but there are always some idiots prepared to drag South African rugby back to the dark ages. Of course, I do remember Eddy Jones calling the Boks, a disgrace to world rugby, then, of course, he joined us for the World Cup. Unfortunately the Du Plessis brothers and others bad behaviour merely fuels that old stereotype, you would think that it up to the coaches to really stamp it out.
johnny-boy
Guest
You should see the neck holds the Saffas used in the weekend - quite sickening really - Lions vs Highlanders and Sharks vs Tahs. More cowardly acts you're unlikely to see. Are the Saffas not happy until they actually kill or maim someone ? Time for the authorities to take action now before it gets repeated in lower grades and there are some very very serious injuries. Attacking the head and neck like that is not rugby. Where do the Saffas get their players from, death row ?
Uncle Eric
Guest
Some of Kaplan's decisions were puzzling at best (re Bennelong's post above). Clearly the ref and touch judges should be neutral, end of story.
soapit
Guest
actually he's just giving himself permission to whine all he likes because everyone else 'cries like little girls' as well.
soapit
Guest
you might wanna check out the reds beating crusaders thread
Terry Kidd
Guest
Hangers might have done a couple of good things with the ball but Lambie still made him look like a turnstile in defence .... sorry, but he is still not a Super Rugby No 10
thurl
Guest
Seems the refs at fault when they win as well :-)
PeterK
Roar Guru
Bayboy - That is SO SO ironic when you say and I quote 'So quit your whining on who moans more because the evidence on these threads is everyone cries like little girls when their teams lose none of you in this forum are any better than the rest!' when you whinge and whing about Dickenson in the other thread.
GPR-SA
Guest
Agree with Suzie P's comments. Stop whinging Saffers! If Oz is such a weak conference why do SA teams historically struggle against them in Australia! by the way, I like Suzie, am also a Safffer - Oz may at time not appear as strong as SA sides, but in my opinion on the whole play far more intelligent and entertaining Rugby than the SA conferences. Just look at the quality and play of the reds this year - a pleasure to watch and deserve to be at the top of the conference. To beat the Stormers on their current form in SA and the Bulls is a really immense feat. Regarding refs - Dickinson in Reds/Crusader game was appalling! McCaw was understandably miffed, but in the greater scheme of things great to see him on the bad side of a decision for once , he is the master of underhandedness. Still does not justify poor decision by ref though. If Ozzies are whinging about Kaplan, they need to do so in the context of how Dickinson reffed this match!! If I were a Kiwi, I would be fuming. Wish the gutter trawling and opposition bashing could make way for appreciation of the game and acknowledging credit where it is due even if it to your fiercest rival. By the way, Go Reds you ARE the real deal and great to see Union achieving the fantastic support from the crowds at Suncorp!
Johnno
Guest
The Tahs are franchise in deep trouble. No crowds, No atmosphere at matches, no fan connection, the fans really gave it to them at there fan forum. They need to reconnect with fans, win more matches, play more attractive rugby, connect with fans, and i think relocate to Parra stadium or even kograh or north sydney oval, the SFS is logistical nightmare for most fans to watch them. They have no identity. It is amazing the Waratahs and Sydney FC, a like ghosts in there own town a city of 4.5 million people. If the waraatahs don't change there culture soon it will be R.I.P Tahs.
Cattledog
Guest
All these comments seem a little premature. Most rational people would think the Reds deserve to be where they are, and will be a difficult prospect come finals time.
geoffo
Guest
You said it Bennelong...you're a whinger in the same vein as David Lord.If Kaplan is such a biased, hopeless ref how come he has been selected by the International Rugby Board as the number one ref in the world and reffed more tests than anyone else? He gave a superb exhibition of reffing last night....consistent , calm and authoritative decisions which were well explained to the players. The issue which more balanced observers than you and Lord should be addressing is the complete lack of quality Aussie refs. Not one person going to the world Cup in any refereeing capacity is a sad indictment on local refs' ability.
Frustrated Waratahs Fan
Guest
Will Halangahu be the back up 5/8th for the waratahs next season?
max power
Guest
That's true that Alcock should have been there however the Sharks had wheeled the scrum making it difficult for Alcock to get there and Halangahu should have realised this and not drifted off Lambie. As it was Halangahu was in no-mans land and wasn't committed to Lambie or the blind winger coming into the line.
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
Gee JB you really know how to bring the discussion down to the lowest level possible - don't really know what the motivation is but that's an appalling comment even for you
johnny-boy
Guest
Dont worry Bob - it's just the kiwis trying to talk us down cos they know that once Australians get their tails up, its bloody hard to tie that kangaroo down. I think it also helps to stop them from get even more depressed and insecure and mass murdering, which seems to be a bit of a specialty over there :)
dwc
Guest
Hoy hoy the Tahs faded in the last part of the match...in SA ...groundhog day and i picked it. do the Tahs have a fitness issue? Or no leaders (such as Richie McCaw) in the team?
Harry
Guest
Probably not the best time to protest Bob with Australian teams this weekend currently Played 3 Lost 3