A phone caller yesterday morning reckoned the first time Waratah comeback centre Berrick Barnes touched the ball in general play at Allianz Stadium last night he would kick it. He did.
The result – seven points to the Cheetahs in the first two minutes on their way to a 27-26 victory.
But hold the phone, the Waratahs only put the boot to the ball 10 times in 80 minutes, coach Michael Cheika is at last getting the message through – ball in hand boys, ball in hand.
The 12,263 crowd were appreciative – that’s about a 1,000 more than last time, which was the Waratahs’ poorest ever.
But if the men in blue keep running and, more importantly, start winning, that crowd will double.
There was a lot to like about the Waratahs.
Those 10 kicks were the highlight compared to the Cheetahs 21, the Highlanders 22, and the Hurricanes 19.
So were the eight missed tackles by the Tahs to 19, and just four penalties conceded to 11.
Then the crunch. After all that good work, 19 Waratah turnovers to just nine.
Damn it. It was so frustrating.
The Tahs led at the break for the first time in four matches by 23-20, and led by the same score with 10 minutes to go.
But burly winger Raymond Rhule scored his second try for the Cheetahs, it was converted, and Brendan McKibbin landed a late penalty for 27-26.
Rhule was a standout, so too Cheetah half-back Sarel Pretorius, man-of-the-match for the second week in a row.
He never played like that for the Tahs last year, and had he been in blue last night, the Waratahs would have won. No doubt about that.
I have just one criticism of Cheika’s game plan – the number of forwards swanning in the backline.
Last night when there was a breakdown, there were always at least five Cheetah forwards on hand to two, maybe three, Tahs.
The obvious result, no contest, or turnover.
But Cheika and his men can take a lot of pluses out of last night, despite the loss.
Michael Hooper had his best game of the tournament, while winger Peter Betham switched from hero to villain twice.
The first was when Betham scored a great try through sheer determination, and moments later Hooper made a spectacular bust and Betham over-ran him.
Dumb rugby, and another try was bombed. Betham knew it too, and he gave himself a verbal uppercut.
Adam Ashley-Cooper did nothing wrong all night, he defended and ran strongly, resulting in a try near oranges.
New recruit Israel Folau is more at home every game, his one-season AFL high-marking came in handy three times to save the day.
Despite being howled down last time I mentioned it, Folau is wasted out the back. He should be using his size and speed in the midfield to create havoc, and have Adam Ashley-Cooper running off him.
But it was Hooper, and prop Paddy Ryan, who did the most damage up front.
Can’t see Test prop Sekope Kepu making it back in a hurry with Ryan in marauding mode, while locks Kane Douglas and Sitaleki Timani had their moments of glory.
They are big strong blokes who have a bit of toe, but don’t get the ball in hand enough. Wasted talent.
And those two words just about summed up the Waratahs loss last night – wasted talent.
It’s there, and high time they realised it.
Stick with your coach, he’ll get you there sooner than later.
Campbell Watts
Guest
So you're pushing for Tom Carter to get a run again Bill? ;)
Ash
Guest
Barnes could play this weekend after all
Katipo
Guest
This decline in NSW spectator interest has been happening for years. I used to get season tickets and round up a group of friends. Sometimes I bought 10 people with me to games. Many of them would get season tickets too. Then they moved my seats and doubled the price so I abandoned the season ticket and started cherry picking games. Also my wife likes to go out for dinner on Saturday nights and i prefer day light rugby games too. Last year I went to zero matches at SFS. This year zero matches. That's what happens.
soapit
Guest
the main problem isnt necessarily that theyre doing the chip kicks its that they are so poor at them every time they tried it it went straight to an opposition player way too far in front of the chaser so they were under no pressure. if they're going to do these they should at least practice them so they can weight them properly and/or find space. its a sure sign that its just something they are panicking and trying as a rush of blood not something they've thought about before hand.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Agree he seemed not too bad with his distributing BUT........I was quite keen to see how this second play maker thing was going to unfold. And then whammo, as quick as it started it was over and BB was out. :( I thought Foley looked uncertain of his role with Berrick on the park and really took control after BB left the field. With Barnsey now seemingly out maybe now's a good time to forget the two play maker idea and look for a 12 that looks to hit the line at pace, can pass, catch & tackle like a demon. ;)
jeznez
Roar Guru
Best to select Tah players for the Wallabies then since the Queenslanders are less motivated in internationals. :D
Hightackle
Guest
Thats becuz Australia fans dont know what they want. They go on and on about running rugby being "winning rugby" but its not and I was astonished that so many truely believed it was. You can win with running rugby but running rugby is not winning rugby. Often teams that hardly run the ball win becuz they may be playing to their strengths. Last year when Australia got beaten by France, Aust was the team running the ball more often and kicking less but (imo) it was Australias worst loss of the year. Teams must play smart rugby and if the Tahs are not going to kick and are going to run the ball every game, they will not do very well. Its not rugby league.
Schuey
Guest
Noddy Lynagh was on sky this morning, he was very downbeat when questioned on the Tahs. He said they are not creating anything and can only score from a mistake or missed 1 on 1 from the opposition. He and his sidekick sean fitzpatrick singled out betham for his enthusiasm and questioned why no other Tah fronts up like that?. Neither were buying in to some if the more positive signs some roarer's are seeing.
Schuey
Guest
The 9 & 10 are not good enough.
Bakkies
Guest
Good man Robbie he wouldn't stoop that low.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
Closed the gap to the Cheeters perhaps? It would perhaps be more impressive if it was against one of the better teams.
Hansie
Guest
The Cheetahs do have a good attack, but in the last 7 years of Super Rugby they've finished 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th, 10th, 11th and 10th. A team with the resources of the Waratahs should account for them. Put it another way, the Waratahs are the first team that the Cheetahs have beaten on three successive occasions.
Johnno
Guest
Well maybe if they had better recruitment, that might be help. To say foreign imports are a failure, is like saying all locals are a failure. It works bith ways some foreigners and some locals are a failure it works both ways. Pollock let me ask you Has Gareth Delve and Glen Somerville been a failure at the Melblourne Rebels Have Albe Mathewson, and Sier Ebershon, and David Hill been failures at the force Was Daniel Braid a failure at the reds Was Brian Lima, a failure at the Auckland Blues Sona taumalolo. and Mo Schwalger were they failures at the chiefs No they were not. So just because some imports don't work at the tahs , it doesn't meant other foreign imports in the future will not work, I mean seriously Pollock. You may as well give up , on locals too based on your line of opinions, as not all guaranteed will be successful
Malo
Guest
Mckibben just has to work on pass a bit, he does a lot of defence, kicks goals and is doing ok, but could do a bit better, needs a better clear out from the forwards. This season is a write off but hey always next year. Alway look on the bright side.
Handles
Guest
There must be something more than passing, running, kicking and tackling that halfbacks are meant to do, that us mere spectators don't know about. That is why Frisby contonues to get gametime in Qld, and McKibbon in NSW.
Malo
Guest
Johnno ARU should prop up the tahs as the tahs and the reds supply 95% of the players. I dont mind the ARU old school tie brigade but just encourage families like afl not just corporate types. NSW I believe dont play ugly footy but people dont relate like the reds in QLD. It doesnt really take much to turn 12000 into 30000 if they marketed S15 well. Eddie the Eagle could do a better job in marketing. Tah man who was the marketing genius? They should also just make it a tad cheaper and encourage families and let kids on the field after the game, who cares. My bro took 3 young kids and it cost him a fortune. Also way over the top with rude security people you feel like a criminal and try getting a beer when it is busy. Pub is so much better. I agree they are hardly changing the demographic by marketing solely to corporations, charging $290 a ticket for tests games and giving tickets to the ARU mates and corporate heavies.
Handles
Guest
How can you describe the team that splashed out for Folau, and has 15 Wallabies on the books as having a "hands tied" budget??? Hands tied now, but that is because they bought every player on the market.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
I can appreciate what the 'Tahs are trying to do by running the ball, but, and its a big but, they need to walk before thy can run. Jake White got it right last year with the Brums, the K.I.S.S principle. Tah's need to do the same, then expand their running game.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
You can try Coleman......but only after 2015, he is signed to the Brumbies til then. http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/coleman-to-stay-at-brumbies-until-2015-20120712-21z51.html
Johnno
Guest
Gee Ra, if you think getting home crowds of 11,000 and 12,000 , means the waratahs are doing well, then I don't know what to say. Plus never winning a super rugby title ever since 1996, despite being the largest super rugby city. Wow not convincing yet.