The ability to control the momentum of a game is a feature of great teams. Once it changes, so do the fortunes of the participants.
In the first twenty minutes of the Blues-Waratahs quarter final, there was only one team in it. The Tahs controlled the ball superbly, mounting raid after raid, with the Blues continually on the back foot. After Tom Carter muscled his way over in the corner, victory appeared to be theirs for the taking.
But then came the turning point of the game: with the Blues at sixes and sevens, Lachie Turner collected the ball in midfield play, ran a few steps, and needlessly kicked it away.
From this the Blues were able to regain possession, build pressure, convert it into points, and take the lead. The Tahs entered the dressing sheds at halftime with the game having already slipped from their grasp.
Old habits die hard, and Josh Holmes was guilty of needlessly kicking the ball away on several occasions just when there appeared glimmers of hope that the Tahs might retain possession and re-build momentum.
The value of kicking for touch was also nullified as wayward throwing from third string hooker John Ulugia made the Tahs lineout a liability.
In a further cruel reflection of the Tahs’ season, any hope of a comeback in the second half was crippled when key forwards bit the dust: Kane Douglas had his knee sickeningly rearranged, Timani hobbled from the field, and Phil Waugh was clearly struggling before being replaced.
Holmes had a poor game, with his service to the backs far too slow, and should have been replaced by McKibbin much earlier than the dying minutes.
But there were positives. Pakalani, who hitherto had reminded this writer of a schoolboy playing in the big league, had an excellent game, regularly getting involved and threatening the opposition line.
Fourth string tighthead, Paddy Ryan, is a big unit who held his own against the powerful Blues scrum and looks to have a bright future ahead of him.
Like he had done all season, Kurtley Beale played his heart out in his final game for the team, and as the camera zoomed in on him after the final whistle, he struggled to hide the tears in his eyes.
One more Tahs player to mention: this was Phil Waugh’s last game. As he rides off into the sunset, he will be remembered as one of the toughest players to ever wear a Waratahs jersey.
Kurtley and Phil, the Tahs’ will miss you.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Queensland have pushed the Hurricanes and the Blues giving the Reds coach confidence they can match it with the top teams.
Queensland led by seven late in the game, but conceded two late tries to the Kiwi side who claimed a late victory.
The Queensland winger was making his starting debut and he made his tries look like he was a veteran in that position.
Queensland led by seven points with six minutes remaining but the Kiwi side scored two tries - one after the 80 minutes to snatch…
But the winger's three tries weren't enough as the Blues stole a late win 41-37.
The Queensland centre created the try out of nowhere with a perfect chip and chase to find the flying winger to run away and…
