So here we are. After an eye-opening season that has provided one of the most contested races for the right to play in the top six, the Waratahs have finally made good of their promise and have brought home the Super Rugby trophy.
The rise to the top wasn’t a walk in the park, however, with the season presenting its fair share of hiccups.
The Waratahs had to deal with Israel Folau’s temporary injury, the loss of instrumental captain Dave Dennis and the frustration issues of Michael Cheika, which we all recall resulted in some unhappy officials and the requirement of a new window pane for the Sharks’ visiting-coaches box.
The 2014 season showed us just how much the Waratahs have improved. Under the watchful eye of Cheika, the pernennial under-achievers of Super Rugby showed that they could deliver the performances they were always capable of.
I’m not a huge believer in statistics telling the whole story, but it’s hard to argue with numbers this good.
The Waratahs recorded the most points scored, the fewest points conceded, the most wins (14 from 18), the highest individual points scorer (Bernard Foley with 252) and the equal highest individual try scorer (Israel Folau with 12).
Despite all this success, the season would have meant very little to the Waratahs supporters if they didn’t put away the Crusaders – the competition’s most successful team by a mile.
And what a game it was. The opening five minutes indicated we could be in for a barnstorming cricket score courtesy of the Waratahs intensity out of the blocks. An early penalty from Foley got the scoreboard ticking, moments before a perfectly placed and timed pass put the eventual man-of-the-match Adam Ashley-Cooper over for his first try.
In the 18th minute Crusaders flanker Matt Todd (unlucky to be left out of the All Blacks squad, but that’s another story) stormed over for a try created by the team’s innate ability to score off broken play, which momentarily closed the gap.
However, a total of five penalty goals in the first half from the consistent boot of Foley saw the Waratahs head into the change rooms with their tails up at 20-13, although the score didn’t really do justice to the opening dominance of the New South Welshmen.
The second half was a complete role reversal, with the rampaging Nemani Nadolo, this season’s equal highest try scorer, crossing over for his 12th try in the 43rd minute. A successful conversion from the flawless boot of Colin Slade, a kicking replacement for the earlier injured Dan Carter, saw the scores levelled.
The two fly-halves traded penalties for the Crusaders to lead 26-23, up until the hero of the night Ashley-Cooper crossed for his second, the first individual double in a final in five years. Naturally the crowd erupted and the momentum had finally swung back to the home side.
As exciting as it was though, the conversion meant only four points separated the two best sides of the season. The next 10 minutes was the most nail-biting moment of my rugby-viewing life. Slade knocked over another two penalties with ease to regain the lead at 32-30. All the hard work of the regular season looked to be coming undone.
Cue Bernard Foley. A 79th minute penalty, courtesy of Richie McCaw (ironic really), allowed Foley the opportunity for a shot at goal 45 metres out from the posts. Kicking coach Andrew Mehrtens was even quoted as saying before the match that 45 metres was pushing the limits of Foley’s kicking range, but this thought didn’t occur to the outstanding 10.
He lined up with the entire stadium’s undivided attention and calmly knocked over what will likely be the highest pressure kick of the year, only just making it over the cross-bar. With only a few seconds to play, the Waratahs just had to retain possession off the kick off and boot it out after the siren, which they promptly did.
The whistle sounded and Waratahs had done it – they had won the Super Rugby grand final 33-32.
This ranks high, if not highest, in the most exciting rugby matches I’ve ever watched, and if you haven’t already done so, I’d recommend watching it and re-watching it, and pinching yourself occasionally to ensure this fairytale finish is in fact a reality.
Although the Reds are my team, I couldn’t be happier to see the Waratahs, boasting a plethora of Wallabies, lift the trophy. I can only hope this performance inspires the continued improvement and success of the Wallabies and an even bigger and better season for the Australian Super Rugby teams in 2015.
Bring on the first Bledisloe match!
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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