The Waratahs triumphed over the Crusaders in the Super Rugby final, with a last-gasp penalty conversion from Bernard Foley sealing the win. Aside from bringing the Waratahs their first ever Super Rugby title, what does the win mean for the players, NSW, and the Wallabies in general?
1. Adam Ashley Cooper must play at outside-centre for the Wallabies in the first Bledisloe Cup
Over the years, Ashley-Cooper’s versatility has seen him play virtually every position in the backline.
While this is a great resource to have, he has often been wasted on the wing. Judging his two-try display in the final against the Crusaders, he must play there for the Wallabies. I may be biased, but there haven’t been many more solid defenders that pulled on the gold jersey in history.
2. Kurtley Beale is back
All is forgiven. We’re a forgiving bunch as Australians. Although, I do wonder how Melbourne Rebels supporters are feeling at the present moment. They must be baffled and question where his form was during his stint with them.
3. Michael Cheika is the heir to the Wallabies job
The brand of rugby he has instilled into the Waratahs is attractive. The belief he seems to give to his players is palpable. Cheika has asked that he run things his way with complete responsibility. It’s worked.
4. It’s a good thing for NSW rugby – no – Australian rugby that we won
Rugby union is Australia’s fourth footballing code. A point that myself, as a rugby tragic, am devastated about. The AFL, NRL and FFA have seemingly endless money and resources to throw at their sports, and as a result their codes are booming. Just look at the Western Sydney Wanderers and the TV deals secured by the other codes.
If you were to believe something of what you read, the financial coffers of the ARU are not in a healthy position – hard to believe after a British Lions tour last year. We need to get kids talking about and playing rugby. We need sponsors to want to be involved in rugby. Winning the match is a good start. And it was a thrilling, enjoyable game for everyone to watch.
5. Bledisloe Cup
The Wallabies are a massive chance of breaking the Bledisloe Cup drought. They must win Game 1 in Sydney to roll the momentum from the Super Rugby win into international success.
6. We need Izzy
Australian rugby must do whatever it must to hang on to Israel Folau. Many of the Wallabies, or even Waratahs, players could walk down the street without being recognised. The reality of the modern world is we need marketable stars. Folau is that and then some.
7. Will Skelton needs to be in the Wallabies squad
I remember the impact Willie Ofahengaue had as a kid. I worshipped him. Will Skelton can be that same magnetic figure for kids all over Australia.
8. Rugby in Western Sydney needs massive attention
A significant portion of the Waratahs squad hailed from western Sydney and the attention and funding of the NSWRU and ARU must now start being directed to this area. If they don’t, rugby will peter out. This is needs to be the new heartland of rugby and treated with respect.
9. Richie McCaw does get penalised
I found it highly ironic that a player who seemingly escapes punishment countless times in every match during his entire career was penalised to give the Waratahs the chance to win the title. He’s still the best ever. My one-sided heart believes it may have just been a little bit of karma.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
Appreciate the thoughts and effort Mike. In my feeble defence can I say I did probably err in the use of brevity. I enjoyed your constant invocation of the 'Ella' example because what that era demonstrated is that when you get a group who are inspired by the 'art' of the game and seek the necessary supporting technical mastery of the 'basics' then finding ways to unravel, to delight and awe, to entertain, just come naturally. Foley and Phipps would have been welcomed by those players, (though as a Rebel member, in Phipps case, I am still working through the stages to acceptance). Most commentators..? Well there always has to be the malcontent, the square peg who keeps insisting that if hasn't been working then it has to be asked; what is it that is wrong? how do we fix it? what have we forgotten? etc.
Mike
Guest
"He can straighten the attack, but he can’t actually pass." Have you actually watched any Tahs games this year? OMG....
Grevs
Guest
And here it comes. The post GF ridiculousness from the Tahs fans. Congratulations are due. It was a great win and a great season. But give me a break. Reading everything above, we should obviously just pick the Tah's team and give them gold jerseys. After all it seems to be mandatory to retaining Kurtley that he gets picked in the run on team for Australia? Lets forget all the progress that has been made over the last 12 months, the punishing defence that Toomoa and Kuridrani put in, in the centres. The Tah's won the premiership, so all their players must be superior. And Cheika should be rushed into the coaching job also. You expect this emotion from the fans, but from the press. AAC should be on the wing. He is a finisher. He can straighten the attack, but he can't actually pass. Beale has been electric, but he does not have the passing game or the defence of Toomoa - possibly the form player of the Australian teams combined. Play Kurtley in the run on team if you must. We need a hooker.
mick h
Guest
the tahs still didn't sell out anz that is a discrace rugby and the aru have a long way to go
mick h
Guest
the only thing u forgot about was the holden cup u20s in the nrl
JB
Guest
Can't agree with Point 2, or understand the excitement over Beale - SMH have attributed AAC's tries to Beales 'magic' so I looked at the game again to see if the article was right. What I found was ordinary (but accurate) passes behind the gain line to ACC before the defence arrived. Good passes but nothing special, AAC did all the work. Then I thought I'd scan for Beale's defence. Without going through every frame I found him go in for 3 tackles, 2 misses and one hit. Not great odds. The other thing I noticed was he is the only back who doesn't help seal off the ruck when in the area. He did try two wrap arounds which you learn in school footy, nothing special there, both of which he dummied and got smashed.
sheek
Roar Guru
Nah Bennelong, Beale is brilliant against lesser mortals, but insipid against players of similar ability. He's overblown hype. Anyway, it's just my opinion.
Firstxv
Guest
Presently not one Wallaby would rate better than his AB opposite. Folau perhaps in a couple of years but in test rugby none stands up on the international scene as better than his AB opposite. Not even close. Folau would be closest but would lose out to Ben Smith- and probably Dagg on experience/ all round ability as a xv. AAC would lose out to Conrad. No one else in the backs and certainly none in the forwards. Beales too inconsistent to replace Nonu who's been solid for some time now. Hooper hasnt gone close to proving himself on the world stage so needs to do that first. Etzebeth, Du Plessis, and a couple of props around the world perhaps but largely that's about it.
WQ
Guest
PeterK there is more to being recognised as one of the greatest players that has ever played the game than being the best in your position. You only have to look at John Eales to recognise that! Ritchie McCaw has an enormous amount of influence on every Test he plays, early in his career by just being the best player in his position and later by being the best leader in world Rugby. Just so you know there are plenty of players that I wish were All Blacks that play for other countries, its just that presently neither Hooper nor Palu are one of them.
Greg
Guest
Sorry, $90 for the cheapest seat in a 83,000 seat stadium is unreasonable. They may get a good crowd, they may even sell it out but it locks out attracting new fans. Rugby focus needs to be growing the demographics of its fan base, sticking to the same rusted on north shore & eastern suburbs fans has only sent the game backwards and will continue to do so. I know the ARU are not full of cash atm, but you need to invest to grow, and again closing out large sections of population from becoming fans is not good business.
Billy Bob
Guest
Sherwo, I agree with your idea. The suits running Tah and OZ rugby are ....well.... Suits! The game HAS to go west and regional. Less suits. More flannelette suburbs and cattle farm towns. Link is onto the right idea. Lugging the swag through the near west works in at least two ways. Sure, it promotes the game to the forgotten regions. But most importantly, it puts the show ponies amongst the workhorses. The players have the opportunity to deepen their relationship with their support base, and hear from these people what the Wallabies mean to them. Australian rugby needs connection with the long suffering silent crowd. Can't wait to see Link's wagon train roll into town.
Chris
Guest
Lots to agree with ST but point 4 second para leaves out the biggest issue - neglect of the junior game in state schools and in club territories. This game will help fire the imaginations, but without the follow through none of it will stick. Needs a bit less of the old school tie and a bit more out there amongst it.
bennalong
Guest
2. I'm surprised you felt the need to be so derogatory, Sheek. Not your usual form! He speaks so highly of you! I think you're prejudiced for some reason. Beale's improved fantastically back at the Tahs and his confidence showed on Saturday, taking the high balls well and making the passes that found AAC in perfect space to bag two tries. Give him a break.
bennalong
Guest
That's because my son's been doing his thing and so many of you boys have finally realised what a good sport he is! Pity about your lapse. Wait til I see you, you little rat.
PeterK
Roar Guru
WQ - Hooper can outplay McCaw and the wallabies still lose you know, it is unreasonable to put the yardstick that he alone has to be difference between the teams when the current gap is very large across the entire team. Following your logic currently not 1 player in any team in the world is better than any player in the ab's.
Smiles
Guest
But that's not Champagne coming out of your mouth, is it? Looks like dribble to me.
RobC
Roar Guru
Hi Bakkies. The Crusaders had a title drought because they lose away games during the final series They have been in every final series since 2002. During this time Crusaders: - Lost every away finals game they played - Won their grand finals only at home. They only arrived there by hosting and winning the semis - The only exception is 2011 when they overcame Stormers in Cape before losing in the Brisbane - Not considering 2011 (quake disaster): In the years since 2009, they have started each season poorly (except 2010) 2009 is the year Blackadder started coaching the Saders. They have reached semis in all the years since 2002. Info below: 14 Hosted Semis and won. Lost to Tahs in Homebush 13 Lost Semi 2nd time to Chiefs. In Hamilton 12 Lost Semi 1st time to Chiefs. In Hamilton 11 Won Semi against Stormers in Capetown. Lost the Grand to Reds in Brizzy 10 Lost Semi 3rd time to Bulls. In Pretoria 09 Lost Semi 2nd time to Bulls. Also In Pretoria 08 Hosted Semis and Grand. Win both 07 Lost Semi 1st to Bulls. In Pretoria 06 Hosted Semi (Bulls) and Grand (canes). Won both 05 Hosted Semi (Canes) and Grand (Tahs). Won both 04 Hosted Semi (Stomers) and won. Lost Grand to Brumbies in Canberra 03 Hosted Semi (Canes) and won. Lost Grand to Blues in Auckland 02 Hosted Semi (Landers) and Grand (Brumbies). Won both
Rob9
Roar Guru
Scotland- 5 Nations champs... got any more?
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Ha!..If only the TAB thought so, I'd like to put on some to say they were wrong!!
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Yes Rob9, and USA are the current Olympic Rugby Champions.