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Waratahs coach Michael Cheika gave referee Glen Jackson a well-deserved verbal bath after the Crusaders snuck home 23-22 in Christchurch last night. But Jackson wasn’t the real problem.
Cheika has made massive inroads into changing Waratah culture and pattern of play to entertain and enjoy their rugby.
But those efforts haven’t been universally embraced.
Good sides don’t let a 12-point lead dissipate – twice.
The ‘Tahs led 15-3 in the shadows of halftime, playing some superb rugby, and were in control, only to go to sleep and let veteran hooker Corey Flynn in for a converted try for 15-10 at the break.
With 15 minutes to go and leading 22-10, the Waratahs let openside flanker Matt Todd in for a converted try, the ever-reliable Dan Carter landed two penalty goals in quick succession from way out, and the Crusaders led 23-22 with six minutes left on the clock.
There would have been some form of justice had replacement Berrick Barnes been successful with his sole penalty shot in overtime. But he pushed it wide.
Every ‘Tah, especially Barnes, and every supporter, was gutted by the miss, when the men-in-blue won everything bar what was on the scoreboard.
They enjoyed 51% possession, won the rucks and mauls 92-56, made 105 runs to 59, gaining 577 metres to 274, forcing the Crusaders to make 154 tackles to 84, while the home side missed 29 tackles to 18.
Plenty of possession and territory, but the fat lady sang for the Crusaders for the 11th successive time since 2004, keeping their play-off chances alive, while burying the ‘Tahs.
That was a game that got away from the ‘Tahs – again. That should never have been the case.
And if the Cheika message was getting through universally, why have Bernard Foley and Tom Kingston signed with the Rebels for next season, and Drew Mitchell is heading for France?
It can only be for the money, which puts a big question mark against all three when it comes to loyalty.
If it’s the dollars that motivate Foley, Kingston, and Mitchell, then Cheika is far better off without them.
Brumbies coach Jake White can say the same about Dan Palmer and Peter Kimlin, who are both France bound.
If they don’t see fit to be an integral part of the great things White is doing for Brumby culture, then on your bike as well.
Last night, the big difference between the Brumbies and Waratahs stood out in the final 10 minutes when the Hurricanes threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Brumbies leading 30-23, but the Brumbies withstood the constant barrage.
They closed, the Waratahs didn’t.
Both games gave Wallaby coach Robbie Deans a message.
Ben Mowen is a Wallaby-in-waiting, Nic White is the back-up half-back to Will Genia, Michael Hooper is the standout 7 if George Smith remains injured – Hooper had a blinder – and Kane Douglas put his stamp on a final six selection.
Now the Brumbies are safely in the play-offs, and depending how the Reds fare against the Rebels tonight at Suncorp, the Brumbies should finish on top of the Australian Conference by play-off time.
Tomorrow afternoon the 25-man Wallaby squad to meet the Lions will assemble in Sydney, having played their last Super game until mid-July.
They will spend next week in Sydney, the second week on the Gold Coast, and the third week in Brisbane leading into the first Test at Suncorp on June 22.