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That’s the equation – or the formula, call it what you will – for the Waratahs to win their first Super Rugby title. But the key is coach Michael Cheika.
While he’s sitting in the stand as his troops do battle for 80 minutes in the middle, it’s the passion and belief Cheika has instilled in his players on the training paddock that will create history for the New South Wales franchise.
Why?
Cheika has myrtle blood drawn from the Galloping Greens of Randwick flowing through his veins, and this translates to running rugby. Slowly, but surely, the Cheika way is getting through.
Cheika is the best thing that has happened to the Waratahs since the reign of Ewen McKenzie between 2003 and 2008, a period in which they lost two Super Rugby finals.
Then he was sacked in an era when the Waratahs had a rotten culture, and the administrators were beyond belief. NSW rugby was a basket case, and continued to be so until Cheika surfaced.
Last season was a learning curve, this season the pass mark.
So far the Waratahs have scored 140 points to 62 in four games, crossed for 16 tries to seven, won three games with a bonus point for four or more tries, and picked up a bonus point for the 28-23 loss to the Brumbies in Canberra.
That loss was predictable, as I wrote on March 11. After two crushing victories, the two-week gap between games was poorly timed and the Waratahs paid for it. But from here on in the Waratahs’ opposition are going to pay, and pay dearly.
After Cheika, the next key factor is Israel Folau, scorer of half the Tahs’ tries this season. Folau is a genius, and his combination with Kurtley Beale will be priceless to both the Waratahs and the Wallabies, provided Beale remains at inside centre.
That move was another Cheika masterstroke.
Throw in Michael Hooper, and that trifecta will lead the Waratahs into the Super Rugby final, and onwards to the title.
Big call?
Not at all. On top of 16 tries in four games, the Waratahs have left another seven out there due to a combination of impatience and over-eagerness. Cheika will fix that, but it’s a problem any coach would welcome.
The Tahs talent is awesome. The pack is Wallaby-strength, the front row have 143 caps between them, the locks Kane Douglas and the behemoth Will Skelton will play a huge role, while the back row of Hooper, skipper Dave Dennis and Wycliff Palu should dominate every Super pack.
I look forward to the day when Skelton is a Wallaby. He’s raw at the moment, but Cheika will set him on the right path to use his huge frame to advantage, and McKenzie will add his expertise.
Those are all big pluses for the Waratahs, but there are three minuses that must be fixed or the title could slip by.
Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau must put in the extra hours to find his lineout jumpers or Cheika must find another feeder.
Halfback Nick Phipps must clear the ball from set play far quicker – he must be sick of hearing referees calling “use it”. While he’s at it, stop crabbing and feed the scrum faster. Why he delays is one of rugby’s greatest mysteries, adding enormous pressure to his front row.
Outside centre Adam Ashley-Cooper, the Waratahs’ most-capped player, must pass the ball. By my count he has had possession 18 times in four games, and passed only once. On many of those other occasions he has had support on both sides, yet died with the ball.
Once Michael Cheika irons out those faults, the Waratahs will be as complete a unit as is humanly possible. That would make them Super Rugby champions.