While head coach Michael Ckeika is the obvious mastermind of the Waratahs cementing a first-time home Super Rugby final next Saturday night, it’s defence coach Nathan Grey who deserves the accolades last night.
A look at the 26-8 scoreline would suggest it was a walk in the park for the Waratahs.
Far from it.
The Brumbies threw everything but the kitchen sink at the men-in-blue in front of a very worried 38,800.
But the Waratah defence took on a Fort Knox appearance, thanks to Grey.- himself a blockbusting defensive inside centre during his 39 Wallaby caps between 1998 and 2003.
I don’t believe the official stats that state the Waratahs made 104 tackles to 98, almost on par.
For starters, the Waratahs spent the best part of 20 minutes in the second half tackling their hearts out as wave after wave of Brumby attacks were launched.
And every one of the 15 on the paddock played their part, even though it was half Nick Phipps who made three spectacular try-saving tackles on his own.
As a result the Brumbies were kept tryless for 50 tension-filled minutes after exciting winger Henry Speight scored wide out before he left the field with what appeared to be a torn hamstring.
Those endless tryless minutes must have been painful for the Brumbies, who gave up seven easy penalty shots looking for seven-pointers.
Jacques Potgieter sprints (Photo: Glenn Nicholls)
And they never came.
So exit Brumbies, come on down Crusaders who made the Sharks look very ordinary in their ruthless 38-6 demoliotion at Christchurch. scoring five unanswered tries.
The Crusaders won’t enjoy those defensive lapses next Saturday night at ANZ in the decider.
Can the Waratahs win their first Super title?
Of course they can, but it will be the biggest ask of the season. As luck would have it, the two finalists haven’t met this season, so it will be new to both.
And by what route will the Waratahs win?
First up Michael Ckeika’s positive attacking rugby as head coach, Nathan Grey’s rock solid defence patterns, Daryl Gibson as the attack coach who was the Crusaders assistant coach, and the unpredictability and sheer brilliance of match-winners Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, and Will Skelton.
On paper, the Crusaders have a DNA second to none. They have been in 13 straight finals series, won the championship seven times, and been in three losing finals.
By comparison, the Waratahs have never won, but been in two losing finals in 2005 and 2008, both against the Crusaders on their soil.
This time it’s on the Waratahs soil.
There are two weak spots in the positive Waratah armour – Tatafa Polota-Nau, and Nick Phipps.
Hooker Polota Nau’s lineout feeding is beyond belief. If he had to hit an elephant on the backside from five metres, I wouldn’t have a bet on it.
Polota-Nau has no ball-sense, essential to feeding the lineout accurately.
Phipps wanders between simply brilliant, usually in defence, to bouncing passes to his supports, passing high, or passing behind supports, to damage momentum.
And while he’s busy not doing his job, he’s constantly telling the referee how to control the game.
Zip it, and get on with your job Nick Phipps, and the Waratahs will be the beneficiaries.
And they will need it against the Crusaders.
This promises to be a classic between the two best teams in the tournament who finished 1-2 in regulation, just as it should be.
Squirrel
Guest
Uncle the coaches have to give him more minutes on . He destroys teams in attack and defece
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Out for 10 days according to CT.
djackedinc
Guest
Yep, word is he's just realised he's going to face Savea in a AB jersey, and he's crapping himself.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Speight 10 days out max, according to Canberra Times this morning.
Don
Roar Rookie
Sorry, I meant Skelton of course. I was also thinking about Potgieter's ordinary shot, dropping his shoulder into Butler while he lying was on the ground.
PeterK
Roar Guru
read the number of posts here trolling kiwis compared to aussies.
PeterK
Roar Guru
I have never stated the tahs would win the comp
bennalong
Guest
A good summary David though a bit harsh on TPN and Phipps, who both contributed to the victory with immense efforts. I have to call on you and other writers who continue to omit Bernard Foley from your honours list. It isn't an accident that he is the five eight in a winning team. When Izzy scores a try off Will Skelton, he gets accolades. When it's Foley who manages to just reach the pass with finger tips, and scoot away for the try, he gets NO mention. I've written about Beale's improvement and his skills, and we saw them on Saturday. Brilliant. But Foley had a fantastic game in defence, as well as starting and finishing that final try, and played his role with customary class. IMO he is the general and without him the team would be rudderless. If he's injured in the future, mark my words.
Don
Roar Rookie
Forgive me if it has been reported elsewhere but was there any post game citing of Potgieter for his high shot on Nick White?
Chiefporky
Guest
Does someone disagreeing with you make them a d@-k? Kiwis do like to play devils advocate to provide some balance, or stick up for their countrymen in discussions such as these which saves it from becoming a total love in. Incidentally a fair few Australians that support other teams do this also so I don't think it's a national thing. Interesting this year how the top two teams avoided each other in the round robins. I wonder if they would have finished 1&2 had they had to? Congrats both teams, should be a cracker.
s.t.rine
Guest
Any update on Speight? S T
WEST
Roar Guru
Example... I voice an opinion, far from chest beating.
Firstxv
Guest
agree...this site has been bombarded with Tahs are going to win the sxv articles all year. geez, what a crock. Count em I say. As soon as theres a different opinion its called trolling...
Firstxv
Guest
yes and the timing of that coincides with all 3 of McCaw, Read and DC being on the same side and fit for the first time in near on 3 seasons. The impact of the 3 on the Saders side makes that much difference. With sabbaticals and injuries the Saders have not been the same side.
Tinfoil Hat
Guest
Whereas your constant chest beating is full of substance?
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
A good, hard really challenging match and the Tahs stood tall. Well done to them. Won't get any easier against the Crusaders but I thought this game was pretty good prep. Is it the year of the Tahs? We will see next weekend. I actually think the team is still on the rise though. Phipps, Foley, Beale, Folau, Hooper and Skelton are certainly NOT almost over the hill. What I'm saying is that I think they will be an even better team NEXT year... Which is obviously an important year for rugby.
WEST
Roar Guru
Gee, stick around for the Bledisloe, you ain't seen nothing yet. I guarantee this site will turn ugly against the kiwis if the Waratahs win.... Like when the Reds won in 2011, God there was some garbage spewed up after that on this site. Then the RWC brought everyone back to reality pretty quick.
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
Agreed Albo. He's been a breath of fresh air.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Hope she didn't see the 'awkward' moment when big Will tried to tackle white. Poor little fellow! The great thing was after when Hooper went to talk to the ref, a grin on his face, telling him 'mate, sorry, that was just a mismatch". Could have been much worse. good laughs though.
PeterK
Roar Guru
When we were playing another aussie team the quality of the posts were a lot higher of substance, a lot more mutual respect was shown. Now when it is an aussie team playing a kiwi one, the kiwi's by and large have really brought the level down. So many trolls, so much chest beating and arrogance, yet little substance.