The Waratahs won’t retain the Super Rugby title unless Kurtley Beale cuts loose as he did last night at AAMI Stadium, and the golden boot of Bernard Foley keeps finding the uprights.
The scoreboard shows Waratahs 38 Rebels 28, but it was a whole lot closer than that.
The difference was the brilliance of Beale who left the field for a concussion test in the 14th minute and returned with his mojo back in business to chip-kick over the close defence to regather on the full and throw a perfect inside pass to Stephen Hoiles to cash over without a hand on him.
Five minutes later Beale landed a monster penalty to play the major role in the Waratahs’ 16-14 half-time lead.
After a couple of decisive breaks in the second half, Beale loomed up outside a superb Foley break to score to end a 28-all draw when either side could win.
So when does Kurtley Beale fire?
When his eight-man international pack delivers good clean quick ball, when half Nick Phipps stops lifting the ball shoulder high before clearing set play or rucks, and more importantly Phipps finding his support, instead of passing to fresh air.
Phipps can be both a match-winner, and a back-line killer, in the same game. Unfortunately for the Waratahs, it’s more often the latter.
Once Phipps does the right thing, a positive chain reaction is set in motion.
Foley’s goal-kicking is a huge asset – six from seven last night, worth 15 points.
But he’s also adept at sizing up the opposition in general play. His understanding with Beale is a priceless asset, and once Beale and Israel Folau regain their understanding mojo, the Waratahs will win handsomely as they did last season.
And there’s a bonus in the form of new winger Taqele Naryaravoro, a likely lump of a lad at 195cm and 120kgs. His two tries last night proved he can be a tearaway train-wreck, once he sees more of the ball.
But all games are won up-front.
The Waratah pack is awesome in international caps, but the problems were obvious when prop Benn Robinson and hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau both left the field for concussion tests and didn’t return.
The Waratah scrum was torn apart by the Rebels
In the overall, the Waratahs were 300% on last week’s dismal loss to the Force, but they should have won by more than 10 points.
The Waratahs enjoyed 59% possession, won the phases 119-87, the rucks and mauls 107-67, and made 124 runs to the Rebels’ 83.
The debits were the difference.
They turned over possession 14-9, missed 27 tackles to just 12, and made 10 handling errors to eight.
Not good enough, but full marks to Scott Higginbotham’s men for being right in the thick of it for 70 minutes to make it a nail-biter to watch.
Waratahs coach Michael Cheika summed up his side’s 80-minute effort.
“We earned our way, either back into the game or ahead, just through some old-fashioned grunt”.
Fair enough, but what the quote didn’t cover were the dumb rugby and stupid mistakes, unbecoming the defending Super Rugby champions.
They can enjoy their bye next week, but once they get back into action the credits must be enhanced, and the debits limited.
And that will give the Bernard Foley-Kurtley Beale-Israel Folau triumvirate the chances they deserve to play entertaining, positive, and winning rugby.
mikeylives
Guest
yep.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I agree he probably should have called it after the 3rd consecutive penalty.
bennalong
Guest
The fact that there's dispute shows it was close and should have been given benefit of the doubt,......in both cases The ref in the Reds game was a dill and didn't stop to think of the consequences of his call which was yet another scrum. Since Qld were dominant he should have given the bloody try and saved another period of very boring rugby
bennalong
Guest
The breakdown is a mess AJ and I thought the same thing Now it seems the tackled player has a only microsecond to play the ball, and the presence of a competing player no longer constitutes a ruck, and the tackling player has all the rights over the ball. This is a growing ref change and is not reasonable because it's another play stopper and the ensuing penalty is often against the run of play and grossly unfair
bennalong
Guest
Kurtley was good last Saturday and his chip kick try was x-factor and impressive But his second try was from a break by Bernard Foley who is still called a journeyman on the Roar. I can ignore the twittering haters more easily than the failure of journos to give this bloke his due. He is a class act and Beale did not have his ability to guide a team but flourishes as his 2 I-C
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
That would please you greatly as Hooper wouldn't be there. Let's see Pocock come back from THIS injury first. He's been ruled out for another 2 weeks.
Martin English
Roar Rookie
Messiah will be getting jealous :) Seriously, though, the end of year tour shows the difference between the level of defense Beale (and Phipps) will be facing during Super Rugby, and what they will face in Rugby Championship and World Cup.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
The hands moved backwards, but the ball was not released until Hoile was in front of Beale -- in my opinion, of course. This is even more obvious when you realise that the camera angle is not flat. One of several tries over the weekend that resulted from a pass projected forwards (as opposed to one that "drifts forward" with momentum, after being passed backwards).
Hoppers
Guest
Um, the Reds spring to mind.
Hoppers
Guest
Yep. Last week against the Force the same chip cost a try. How quickly forgotten.
PeterK
Roar Guru
and the Ref and AR's who oddly enough are the ones that count
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
In your opinion
John
Guest
I can guarantee he won't, Handles. Enjoy sucking on your lemon!
handles
Guest
Count me as a "boring naysayer" John, but I guarantee you that Beale will disappoint you more times than me before he is through.
bigtree.smallaxe
Guest
It was quite funny to watch George Gregan interview Mike Harris at halftime to basically try and talk him out kicking the ball back to the the Tahs. But it sure sounded like McGahan had really made him believe that tactic was going to work. I'm hoping once Harris gets more time with the Rebels both him and McGahan will feel more confident in relying more on their back 3 to take the ball up. The The high ball tactic used by White works ok but that's mostly because he has Speight sprinting after it almost every single time. How this doesn't seem to tire him out I don't know. From memory, back when the Reds were dominating, Shipperley was great at returning the ball and weaving through players. Apart from this issue the Rebels are looking fantastic and IMO should have won if they'd hung on to possession more. My personal highlight, seeing Mitch Inman drive TPN back in a tackle. Next on his list: Ben Tameifuna (I doubt it)
niwdEyaJ
Roar Guru
I'm liking Pocock @ 7, Higginbotham 6 and Timani 8... That would be solid with Fardy on the bench... Actually scratch that, Timani strikes me as a good "impact" player so better to start Fardy, Pocock and Higginbotham at 6, 7, 8 and bring Timani on for a burst at the end....
mikeylives
Guest
I think what he is trying to say, is he makes up for his below average halfback passing with his world-class speed to the ball and quick decisions/release. Phipps' quick recycling of the ball is key to the Tahs success in attack.
mikeylives
Guest
Not sure putting a 120kg guy with great speed and hands directly from rugby league (winger) into 2nd row is a good idea.
John
Guest
Wonder who was more put out by Kurtley's match-winning performance last night, boring naysayers on The Roar, or Phil Kearns, still upset that his mate and girlfriend were forced out of the Wallabies.
Jameswm
Guest
Yeah he was Johno, but I hear he had a reputation of being lazy. I hope he can deliver on his potential because the Wallabies could use a big, strong, hard working, hard running and hard hitting back rower who also can step and has a ball game.m