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.
AndrewWA
Guest
Totally agree astro Hooper was out-rucked by both Cottrell and Alcock. Cottrell had 30% more ruck involvements with earlier engagement and more impact than Hooper. Alcock had 10% more ruck involvements with earlier engagement and more impact than Hooper. Alcock earned 2 turnovers to Hooper's one. (Alcock was off at 73 minutes). Nathan Charles had only 2 less ruck engagements than Hooper and he too was off at 73 minutes. WF backrow (1 x Wallaby) earned 4 turnovers (Alcock x 2; McCalman x 2) compared to the Tahs (2 x Wallaby + 1 x Bok) single turnover to Hooper. But then again we keep getting told that turnovers aren't everything!! If nothing else they are a great killer of momentum as was McCalman's in the last 10 minutes only metres from the Tahs' try line..
AndrewWA
Guest
Agree RobC McCalman had only 4 less tackles than Hooper, ran the ball for 11m more and had 2 turnovers to Hooper's single. Although McCalman had fewer ruck engagements he was early to the ruck and had greater impact. Inspirational performance by McCalman.
sheek
Roar Guru
Guys, I think David was merely pointing out how so poorly the Waratahs played despite enjoying so many natural advantages. I'm reminded of the old saying: Once is chance; Twice is coincidence; Thrice is a pattern. Or something like that. This rollicking loss might be the wake-up call that the Tahs needed. The coach can tell them 'til they're blue (pun intended) in the face, that last year is gone & this year is a new ball game (pun intended). But until the reality hits, the players have probably been guilty of some considerable hubris. Let's check the lay of the land around round six or seven. That will give us a much better idea of what is going on this year. Until then we're being told a narrative. But the punch line hasn't arrived yet.
AndrewWA
Guest
Why don't the refs do something about Jacques Potgieter's swinging forearm jolts as he enters most breakdowns or low tackles??
pb7
Guest
id say the team with the best defensive and attacking statistics did win the comp by a huge margin, its idiotic to lookat one game
kombiutedriver
Guest
one word to describe slow starts to the season .......... Crusaders ...........
Chivas
Guest
So he made around 10% of all tackles. Is that the context?
Squirrel
Guest
Agree James Cheika is grooming him for the 4 wallaby jersey. Skelton looks fitter and will get better and better. Thought Palu was pretty good as well. Good signs for the tahs , well played Force not so Walsh.
Utah
Guest
Best team in Super Rugby by a huge margin? That's funny. If by huge margin you mean a penalty goal after full time, then you are correct Pb7.
Brett McKay
Expert
Pocock was one of four Brumbies players to make "only 5 tackles", only to be beaten by Toomua and Leali'ifano who made 6 each. Those 6 players made half the Brumbies' total tackles for the match. Context...
Pb7
Guest
I respect and enjoy your articles but this is poor -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Pb7
Guest
David lord you're a joke On this reasoning the tahs, blues, sharks, crusaders and bulls are out of the title race Yes they lost a game and they played terribly and Beale was rubbish but this is still the same team who won and were the best team in super rugby by a huge margin, and after one loss you're saying change players tactics and everything? Do you think next week carter will be dropped and dagg will be at 12 because they lost a game? The tahs had a terrible game yes but there's a difference between one bad game and a disaster -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Blue
Guest
Well my point was they were able to get back into form and if they somehow win this year again, then yes, its a sign. Ask the Crusaders, they have a shocker every year and still make the finals.
Demak
Guest
Suggest you watch the game again Queenslander Pocock's all round performance was terrific As for Hooper motm no way McCalman was head and shoulders above
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Good to hear you on ABC Grandstand yesterday Brett!! :-)
Morsie
Guest
I seem to recall the Force scrum being airborne and traveling backwards on several occasions, I also recall a 7 man Tah's scrum beating the snot out of the Force pack. Its not all bad.
Joe Blow
Guest
Now the solution is to play a reject league wing at 12 and our "superstar" fullback at 13 and all will be fixed. Forget about the missed kicks. The force had more missed kicks. Got to win up front first. Plenty of Wallaby representatives in the Waratahs forward pack but that's why we lose.
Utah
Guest
Depends what you define as a pilfer Queenslander. There were two penalties against the Reds for holding on, caused by David Pocock being over the ball and smothering it completely. One of which resulted in a Brumbies try from the next phase. They are pilfers in my books.
abdul
Guest
He's not a first grader. Well in ability he isn't. But he remains a first grader in terms of the competition he plays in because many people have over invested in keeping him in the game. They feel compelled to trot him out at the highest level as some sort of justification for their own poor judgement.
RobC
Roar Guru
Yup, saw it last night on replay. Only saw the match live after that. It was brutal. Coleman to his credit and his power, still won that collision. But it obviously hurt Adam. He played really well before that, I thought. looking forward to his battle vs Rory A. And against the Reds next week.