Force captain David Pocock, coach Richard Graham, and their charges are in the only Australian franchise that can feel well-pleased with week four of Super Rugby.
Not renowned for winning close games, the Force upset the far more fancied Waratahs 21-20 at Allianz Stadium, the former Sydney Football Stadium, where the Waratahs have an impressive home record.
But the three other Australian franchises fell by the wayside in the most extraordinary circumstances.
The Queensland Reds, the reigning Super champions, blew a 17-nil lead against the Sharks at Durban to lose 27-22.
Admittedly the Reds lost Mike Harris and Ben Lucas to hamstrings and Digby Ioane to a dangerous tackle, but Ewen McKenzie-coached teams don’t usually bomb a 17-point lead to lose.
The Brumbies were squared away 22-22 on full-time with the Chiefs at Waikato Stadium, until Chief’s benchman Jackson Willison touched down on the final hooter, with Aaron Cruden added the extras to cement a 29-22 win.
Same story with the Rebels. They were squared away 26-26 on full-time with the Cheetahs at AAMI Park, when Cheetahs benchman Piet Van Zyl finished off an 80m move after the final hooter – the 82nd minute to be precise – Johan Goosen slotted the conversion for a 33-26 victory.
There’s a clear message there for four Australian franchises – turn up to play, and do so for 80 minutes. That’s endemic in New Zealand and South African sides.
NSW has the most soul-searching to do. Apart from South African import Sarel Pretorius and centre Berrick Barnes trying to inspire his pedestrian team-mates in the second half, the Waratahs didn’t turn up to play.
Have they no pride in pulling on the blue jersey emblazoned with the waratah?
Officials are trumpeting the return of backrowers Wycliff Palu and Lopeti Timani next week to meet the upbeat Sharks at Allianz.
Forget it, that’s only papering over the cracks. It’s the mindset that’s lacking, not the players.
The Waratahs have the roster the make a genuine noise in this tournament. But not the large number of white-flaggers who ran onto Allianz last Saturday night.
The Reds are a very different proposition, don’t write off them off too quickly, McKenzie will iron out the problems, and he has selection depth.
“Despite the result, it was our best game of the season,” said McKenzie. In the first 25 minutes hooker James Hanson and backrower Scott Higginbotham crossed for tries as the Reds mounted constant pressure playing expansive rugby.
Losing three attacking backs didn’t help the 80-minute cause, and the wake-up call will be heeded, McKenzie will see to that.
So the Reds and Brumbies have suffered their first losses. Next week the Reds meet the Bulls at Loftus, the Brumbies clash with the Highlanders at Canberra Stadium.
As they sit, both the Reds and Brumbies are on 13 points, with the Waratahs on 8, Rebels 6, and Force 5.
The Rebels and Force clash on Friday night at AAMI Park. It’s a short turnaround for the Rebels who played such positive rugby against the Cheetahs, while the Force has the benefit of being on the road as a unit for the week, and are very bouyant after beating the Waratahs for the first time since they entered the Super tournament in 2006.
Unless the Waratahs can find some bottle in a hurry, the men-in-blue could well be fourth in the Australian conference after week five, their season all but finished before it even started.
Bakkies
Guest
spot on!!
Damo
Guest
Yeh right we should have a fan's forum That will sort it out. The problem is cultural. The tahs have no rabid tribe - apologies to Pablo - but there is no 'mob' ready to 'scream for the team' I would bet that if the team were based, trained and played at Parramatta or penrith or Bathurst - they'd have a passionate supporter base (and some consistent tribal attitude). Said it all before. It's the New South Wales Waratahs, not New South Head Waratahs. I live on the beaches but rugby mongrel is sparse in the east suburbs culture.
Damo
Guest
Well let me tell you all about the exploits of my former team- the wombats, brilliant backline plays from half all the way out to 5/8 but sometimes the half went himself. Mind you the Wombats only lived in the U/ 8 and U/9 period of my career.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
On Bernard Foley - Quite a number of folk are banging the drum about him at 10 and he certainly looks the goods to me. He appears to be a possible goal kicker too. But maybe I'm wrong there. Presumably the coaching staff have considered him at 10 are trying to bring him on slowly and give him a chance to find his feet in Super Rugby at 15, which is probably fair enough. I wonder if Michael Foley could swap him and BB at times during the game?
Justin
Guest
Most of BBs games are average, he just isn't that good. I think the future is with someone like Foley at 10.
Simon
Guest
Northern NSW
johnny-boy
Guest
Na the Force has too many Romneys. Salesi Romney Maafu. Pek Romney Cowan, Matt Romney Hodgson, Ben Romney McCalman ...
Behold
Roar Rookie
I think Halangahu is still in the side because BB groin is stopping him kicking goal and 10 is Halangahu's best position and BB is better than Carter. Pretorious has to stay he isn't that good in defence true but he at least tries to create some more go forward. The forward pack is too slow around the field and PTN can't throw at line-outs so it is useless packing the forward pack with the tall timber. Need to get some more dynamic runners of the ball. If they get Vickerman back this season that will be a big plus but it doesn't look likely. I don't think Elsom is going to add anything to this pack, he has become a back line camper in the last few years. Spending the majority of his time playing outside or inside the Winger. I think the Tahs should put in a phone call to Suntory Sungoliath and steal George Smith. BB must move to 10 when he can goalkick hopefully soon. Personally I think AAC should come to inside and Foley stay at full back. Horne needs to pick up his game and show some of the potential that Deans saw to pick him for the Wallabies or get out of the team.
B-Rock
Roar Guru
BB is a 10 - a few average games do not warrant a move to 15 or 13 or the bench or anywhere else for that matter. It wasnt long ago the media and roarers were pining for BB at 10 for the WBs at the RWC as QC struggled. My two cents: 1. How is Halangahu in the side let alone captain? He is borderline super rugby standard and should only be used in emergencies. How he has largely escaped criticism so far is beyond me. To be fair, his goal kicking has been good. 2. Pretorious is not an effective team halfback. He has a dynamic running game but is not a great passer and doesnt run the team as well as many hoped. He is also a very poor defender. 3. The forward pack has struggled against modest opposition to date. BB has seen little clean front foot ball to date so has had to scramble and resort to kicking under pressure. As we all know, mounting a strong ball in hand attack behind a beaten pack is difficult if not impossible. Any pack featuring Mumm, Jenkins, Metuisela and Dennis with reserve front rowers of Ulugia and Ryan is going to struggle at this level. BB must move to 10, Halangahu to the bench or out of the side, Horne to 12 and Carter to 13. I dont understand the persistence with Halangahu, he is not going to improve from here, he is who he is at this stage of this career. The biggest issue for the Tahs is the lack of depth across the side following the off-season departures and injuries. This team is middle of the pack at best. Reinforcements are not on their way either... prepare for a long disappointing season
rich1612
Guest
Watched both the Force Waratah and Rebels Cheaters games and the only team who seemed to have very little idea of how to win a game were the Waratahs. It was really very disappointing to watch the way they play, unfortunately they play as though they don't really care, they play as though their egos will get them over the line. I preface my next comment with the fact that I have never met Halanghu and have no bone to pick with him. Halanghu seems to be a solid enough player but over the years he has never been considered a possible Wallaby even though he now has become the highest capped Waratah # 10. Looking at his skills he is solid at most but outstanding at none, not that quick, an ok defender, ok goal kicker, ok kicker but has poor distance on the kick and rarely makes a successful attacking kick, doesn't seem to have a step and doesn't have much trickery. So why is he first choice # 10 and why was he made captain? I have been reasonably impressed with the fullback and the wingers and I am willing to give Rob Horne further opportunities and the new half back looks pretty good. Another thing, I thought Scot Bowen was a better than average # 10 while at the Waratahs but can someone please tell me the benefit to the team when he is miked up while he is running the backs through their drills before the game? Who allows this sort of stuff? BTW how long has he been the backs coach? One last point, why so many injuries even before the competition begins? To my mind there is little doubt the Waratahs model is seriously flawed, from what I see, the player attitude, the coaching expertise and the way the administration seems to let them get away with it, need urgent attention.
Grimmace
Roar Pro
Any team called The Wombats is bound to attract interest.
soapit
Guest
not so sure mate, conrad smith not really the biggest or the quickest. anyway as long as he gets the idea he's a good tactician out of his head and just focuses on the run or pass option he'll help nsw quite a bit.
Dassie
Guest
Didnt all this get mentioned last year with criticism of the win ugly style? Wasn't there a fan night to express dissatisfaction at the team's style and performance? And NOTHING has happened. The WHOLE organisation stinks, the solution is to burn and rebuild, gut the whole place and start again. The Tahs will never get ANYWHERE. The Force were competent and executed well and played as a team; the Brums and Rebels are generating new talent. They, together with the Reds are Australia's future.
Justin
Guest
Well said Nathan, if they can get a few more players back from injury then both performance and style will continue (we hope). Great for the comp that no match is a cert from the start.
redsnut
Guest
If the team isn't the Tahs, then David doesn't like them it seems.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Yes, yes, Warratahs doom and gloom, all over, end of the universe and life and we know it, okay... ... but what about the improvement we've been seeing in the Force game to game?? Style and execution both!
Justin
Guest
Stu I agree and have put in another thread a backline without him. Maybe he needs time as a 12. 13 he just doesnt seem to be able to make a bust or offload. Misses too many tackles too, sometimes going the big hit too often. I think the Tahs need a big re-shuffle of the back line in truth. But it wont happen...
Justin
Guest
But you need speed or power at 13, he has neither.
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
rl, At least the Reds gave it a go in those years. The Waratahs haven't looked like they want to compete in recent years.
rl
Guest
Bay - as a long-suffering Reds fan I can only say it will get better - aside from the Chris Latham-era, there was a very long and dispiriting drought up here!