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Michael Cheika mustn’t get too excited over his first Super Rugby success as Waratahs coach last night with a come-from-behind 31-26 win over the Rebels at Allianz Stadium.
At least it ended a record-breaking eight-game losing streak that dates back to April last year when the Tahs beat the Rebels 30-21.
Next up the Brumbies, and if the men-in-blue play like they did last night for the first 40 minutes, the Brumbies will be so far ahead by the break they won’t be seen with binoculars.
The Rebels led 16-6 at oranges last night, but if they were half a decent side, they should have led by 30 and the game would have been all over,
That’s despite the fact the Waratahs had seven Wallabies in their pack. The unsung Rebels won 59% possession to make the home side look like novices.
Waratahs in a word – pathetic.
It took the now renowned Cheika half-time rocket to rip the lethargy out of the Waratahs. But that’s not always going to work against the better sides.
It’s an 80-minute game, not 40.
Waratah tries to Bernard Foley (58 minutes), Michael Hooper (65), and a jubilant Paddy Ryan (75) sealed the win, but not the good feeling a comeback should bring.
Right on the final hooter, the Waratahs let the always alert Kurtley Beale in for a converted try that gave the Rebels a well-deserved bonus point for finishing within seven.
Observations:
The Waratahs will never be a title threat with Brendan McKibbin and Bernard Foley wearing jerseys nine and 10.
They constantly jolted the backline, giving Tom Carter, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Drew Mitchell, Tom Kingston, and Israel Folau little chance to show their wares.
McKibbin kicked well for goal, landing six from seven, but he was pedestrian in general play, while Foley had a shocker.
Two kick-offs resulted in one going out on the full, the other just five metres, both inexcusable, he had a clearing kick charged down because he was too slow, and as the night wore on his confidence disappeared,
Matt Lucas and Ben Volavola need to be recognised so the most can be extracted from those outside them. Volavola especially, he has exciting talent and made things happen when he came on last night.
The Rebels?
Without James O’Connor, Beale, and Scott Higginbotham, the franchise is really just a club side. The big three are only in Melbourne for the money, not the experience, and good luck to them.
But you wonder how will they keep up their high standard week in week out when they haven’t much talent around them? How much will they be affected by Lions time when they will be required to play major roles?
To be fair, there are two other bright spots for the Rebels in locks Caderyn Neville and Hugh Pyle who will go places, but the pickings are rare.
Just like the Waratahs discipline.
Michael Cheika, your move.