There’s only one team that can deny Michael Cheika’s Waratahs their first Super title, and that’s his own.
Coach Cheika has performed miracles since he took over following a terrible 2012 season.
The Waratahs had lost a record 10 games after playing like non-caring headless chooks, scoring 346 points and giving up 407, a deficit of 61 to finish 11th.
In his first season, Cheika lifted the rotten culture to eight losses, scoring 411 to 370 – a plus of 41 to finish ninth.
This year with a game to go, the Waratahs will finished on top of the overall table, with 447 points so far, against 269, a record plus of 178, a record 51 tries to 24, eight precious bonus points, and a record six wins on the trot.
That’s a massive comeback, but then comes the question mark.
For the last 23 minutes of the first half last round, the Waratahs reverted to the type with slow ball, half Nick Phipps falling into the George Gregan trap of lifting the ball before delivering slow service, with the supports over-running the ball carrier, dropping passes, leading to too many turnovers.
Had the Highlanders been good enough they should have punished the Waratahs severely, but the Tahs still led 11-9 at the break.
Come the semis and the final, the better sides will severely punish the litany of mistakes.
Whatever Cheika said at the break last week worked wonders, as the boys in blue piled on 33 points with five tries to one, playing magnificent and entertaining rugby.
That was more like it, and that’s what they must do to hold the Super Rugby trophy aloft.
So where has Cheika made his mark?
First up, he has made his squad proud, and he’s made every member of his squad believe in themselves, and each other.
He’s had plenty of talent to work with, only wingers Alofa Alofa and Taqele Naiyaravoro are non-Wallabies among his first choices.
Expect the 22-year-old Fijian flyer Naiyaravoro at 195cm and 120kgs to play a major role in the deciders.
The keys to success are simple.
The all-Wallaby pack must deliver quicker ball, and the behemoth lock Will Skelton must play most of every game and not wither on the vine off the bench.
Quick ball will give the brilliant backs more room to move, and they will relish that, providing they get quicker service from Phipps.
Fly-half Bernard Foley is the surprise packet of the season, his trusty boot has led him to a Waratahs season points scoring record of 199 to date that has been supplemented by his outstanding generalship around the park.
And that’s where Kurtley Beale and Israel Folau will benefit.
Their inside centre-fullback combination, intuitive natures and their speed are tailor-made for each other.
Folau has scored a Waratahs record 12 tries, and there’s more in store. Many more.
That leaves outside centre Adam Ashley-Cooper, and his wingers, with their problem being that Ashley-Cooper point blank refuses to unload.
By my reckoning, Ashley-Cooper passes one in seven. The other six he dies in possession, that invariably leads to a turnover, or a penalty.
A tragic waste of possession in attack.
There we have the Waratahs of 2014, a mighty unit when on song.
And a mighty coach who will be flexing muscle all the way to August 2nd and the Super Rugby final at Allianz.
Firstxv
Guest
One weakness? Knockout rugby.
44bottles
Roar Guru
I think that will be met with "but they're still last" On a side note, which team do you mainly support, I've never seen it made clear.
Hertryk
Guest
I bet you didn't predict the Force being where they are? :). :)
KiwiDave
Roar Guru
Crusaders win with 4 tries then they will lie down against the Stormer's and reserve themselves to the fact they won't be finishing higher than 3rd.
Common Sense
Guest
I would be 100% more confident in the Crusaders chances if they had Guildford at right wing and not McNichol. He's to error prone in both attack and defence.
RobC
Roar Guru
Yep, off the boil vs Cheetahs. Good motivation to pull up the socks for the remaining games
KiwiDave
Roar Guru
Who? James O'Connor :p
ilikedahoodoogurusingha
Guest
You forgot to add that the final will actually be at ANZ if the 'Tahs host it.
Harry Jones
Expert
Rhino, you must keep your faith. Your team must not intuit even one half of a mg of doubt
Harry Jones
Expert
nicely played
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Yep they did, and so did the Sharks in Durban. And they can do it again. It'll just be tougher in Sydney.
Well, I would suggest if we are going on form of the Super xv trams then it is worth noting that our bottom teams have all reached form in the last rounds. ;)
44bottles
Roar Guru
Probably based on the way the lower Super Teams are doing, without even considering how the Boks dished out larger thrashings than the Wallabies in the June internationals.
WallaTah
Roar Rookie
Go the TAHS!!!!!!!!
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Well done you know how to insult people..... Is that something to be proud of? I know they can only meet in the final regardless of whether they finish 2nd or 3rd. Not such why I included "semi-final"....Jeez cut a brother some slack! Look past the small and dwell on the bigger issues of life. If you're not yet married yet I'd take that advice into a relationship. Trust me.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Well yes I was wrong about the Sharks winning their last two games. They played like tits against the Cheetahs and lost. I said the Crusdaers would win their last two. So far I'm right. Not drop a game. And yes I thought the Highlanders would be better better against the Tahs. Yes I was wrong. I said they would beat the Reds though and finish 2nd so you do not remember correctly. Tahs were DOMINATED by the Sharks. Simple. Cheika couldn't handle it and it appears that neither can you. He bleated and so are you. Mate that was the most physically dominating game I have seen from the Sharks all year so either we remember two different games or one of us is wrong. And both of us thinks it's the other..... Tahs will obviously finish 1st. Hard to pick 2nd now between the Saders and Sharks as I think both will win their games. It just depends by how much. It will be more than likely that the Sharks finish 3rd which is unfortunate as it makes things difficult having to play the extra game.
44bottles
Roar Guru
McNicholl is a defensive liability. Yes he does score tries, but he's also a huge turnstile. To clarify, by centre I mean 13. Fonotia is too raw, makes handling errors, etc. He will be good with time, but doesn't cut it at the moment. If we could get some good wings, we could slot nadolo at 13. He can play 11-12-13-14
RobC
Roar Guru
Brumbies Tahs game in round 3 showed the way to overcome the Tahs: - stop go - set piece - front row bench players, especially #2. Until last week, the #3
Common Sense
Roar Rookie
This entire thread is about NSW FIGJAMing it up and you are upset a Sharks fan is supporting his team?
Louie
Guest
Same killer Sharks as last time? Tahs got lucky and on top by default? 'Insert kiwi side name here' stronger despite the evidence? Maybe the Sharks other teams in the 6 should be a little concerned about the weak Tahs pack wouldn't you say? Hose end! Bring it on. Tahs have every reason to believe and be confident. Bring on the unbeatable All Blacks and superior Boks for the main course. I feel a change in the wind, Saffas and Kiwis writing off the Wallabies and Tahs talking up their teams....good!