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Waratahs coach Michael Cheika picked 13 Wallabies in the starting line-up to meet the Force on Sunday night in the opening round of Super Rugby.
If Wallaby coach Cheika was to name his 23-man Test squad today on current form, there wouldn’t be a Waratah in sight, with the squad full of Brumbies, Rebels and forceful Force personnel.
On Sunday night, the Force embarrassed the reigning Super Rugby champions 25-13, which was the first time the Force had won the opening round home or away in their 10-year existence. It was also the first loss in 10 games for the Waratahs since April 2014.
Taking nothing away from the Force’s deserving win, the Waratahs were pathetic, they didn’t even look interested. Rustiness was the main excuse given by Fox Sports callers and rugby writers.
Rubbish.
The Waratahs enjoyed 52 per cent possession, and were camped in Force territory for 51 per cent of the time, ample stats for agreeing with the bookies’ pre-match odds of the Waratahs at $1.18, and the Force at $5.00.
But there’s more.
Thw Waratahs made 113 runs to the Force’s 84, ran 360 metres to 226, won the rucks 72-65, forcing the Force to make 113 tackles to 99.
To further sustain why the Waratahs should have won, the Force missed 20 tackles to nine. That’s where the interest level surfaces. The Waratahs had next to nothing.
Add 18 Waratah turnovers to 10, and all the the chances the Waratahs had to compete, and win comfortably, were nullified. The Waratah faithful must have known something in advance. Allianz Stadium was only half-full with 20,271.
We could be gracious and suggest clashing with the Cricket World Cup match of the day between bitter rivals India and Pakistan was a valid reason not to be at Allianz. Sitting at home with the remote in hand, flicking between Allianz and Adelaide was the better option. The cost far less as well.
So where to from here for the reigning Super Rugby champions?
Cheika being Cheika, blamed himself for the loss, saying it was his fault the team was underdone, and underprepared. Ace it up, Michael, your troops played like precious premiers, as if it was their divine right to win in a canter.
But they got rolled, good and properly.
One would have thought pride alone would get the Waratahs back in the contest after being behind 3-8 at the break. But they had nothing to offer, with the exception of winger Rob Horne, who made the most of two chances in 80 minutes to score the Waratahs’ only two tries.
The rest of the Waratahs can look themselves in the mirror, and individually ask what went wrong? And the answer ain’t Cheika.
Next up for the Waratahs are the Rebels in Melbourne, fresh from their first away-from-home win overseas by stitching up the Crusaders 20-10 in Christchurch – no mean feat.