The NSW Waratahs have dined out on an embarrassing performance from the Queensland Reds, easing to a 23-5 victory on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium.
The reigning Super Rugby champions were barely troubled against a dire Reds outfit that barely fired a shot in front of 27,199 partisan Queensland fans.
Wallabies five-eighth Bernard Foley scored 18 points for the Waratahs, crossing for a converted try in the first half to go with three penalties, before winger Peter Betham iced the contest with less than 15 minutes to go.
And to cap off an awful night for the Reds, their bulging casualty ward may have claimed two more members in utility back Lachie Turner (concussion) and captain James Slipper (neck), who were both forced off with injury.
Foley’s anticipated showdown with Queensland halves James O’Connor and Will Genia never happened, with Reds coach Richard Graham making a swathe of late changes to the team he originally named in an attempt to seemingly hoodwink NSW.
Only one was forced – Marco Kotze came in at lock for James Horwill, who was suffering from back spasms.
The rest were part of a massive backline reshuffle that included Nick Frisby starting at flyhalf, O’Connor at fullback, Turner on the wing and Chris Feauai-Sautia at outside centre.
Together the changes helped restore balance to the Queensland side, at least on paper – but on the paddock they were as disjointed as ever.
The Reds did almost nothing right as the Waratahs surged to a 13-0 lead at the break, and they never looked even remotely likely of surrendering it beyond that point.
Again Queensland were their own worst enemies with ill discipline keeping them on the back foot.
They also committed a litany of handling errors in the first half – most notably, Genia’s knock-on from a tap penalty, and Turner’s embarrassingly overblown kick for touch – while their most dangerous player O’Connor had almost zero opportunity to make an impact on the game.
Foley consolidated NSW’s clear advantage with his 25th minute try, finishing off a clinical team move that cut the Reds to ribbons on the right-hand side.
Then in the 67th minute, Betham further demonstrated the gulf in class between the two sides with an effortless 80m try, stepping around a flat-footed Frisby to leave him in his wake.
But the Reds did cross for a late consolation as Kotze barged over in the final minute of the match, restoring some semblance of pride on an otherwise forgettable evening.
Graham said his side made too many elementary mistakes against a Waratahs side laden with experience and guile.
“We were under a bit of pressure early at scrum time, they got field position at the back of that,” he said.
“We didn’t hold onto the ball for long periods at all… and I just think we missed too many tackles.
“Regardless of the occasion, it’s just disappointing to make those errors.”
Waratahs coach Michael Cheika wasn’t entirely satisfied with his side’s performance in a match that by rights, they should have won by a much greater margin.
But he said he wasn’t upset at his side’s failure to procure a bonus point.
“I think we created a lot of good play but just didn’t finish,” he said.
“I like the way we created and kept going at that, and I liked our physicality and workrate… and I was very happy with the defence as well, that was a big focus for us.”
Mike
Guest
I understand where you are coming from, but I would rather Talakai learn this lesson in an SR15 game, than from Tony Woodcock in a Bledisloe!
Woodsman
Guest
Talakai's positioning wasn't perfect but the reason for collapse was Benn Robinson pulling back when he saw Talakai overextended. Tom Lawton pointed this out in the commentary as well but I can understand people having that muted with some of the tripe a few commentators come out with. Sadly the players don't seem to care about a completed scrum when they can get away with playing silly buggers.
RobC
Roar Guru
I think Daniel. WBs scrum will be much better than last year. Specially if Chieka chooses the best people to do this. Skelton starting to lift. There's also Rory Arnold. In add to the stalwarts. On THP, Talakai and Paddy will be contenders. LHP should be alright.
AndyS
Guest
Agree with you on the scrums. I worry that instead of focusing on their weaknesses the Australian scrums are more focused on concealing their issues with tricks, particularly those expecting to go to the RWC. The result is a shambles which is helping no-one, when they should be intent on scrumming straight and hard to improve their core skills. Instead they seems to me they are more intent on just winning by any means and none of it is going to wash come the big show.
pjm
Roar Rookie
The problem was with Talakai. Robinson has great body height and Talakai was trying to match it though he went about it the wrong way. Instead of squatting more through the knees and hips to lower his height he placed his feet further away from his body putting his hips and core in a weak position and causing all the collapses and weak driving position when he didn't.
pete
Guest
I wasn't blaming frisbee but he just isnt up to standard in that position. He is a back up scrum half not fly half. I agree that switching around the backline at the last minute to prepare for the return of cooper and hunt is very very poor. We must win week to week and that is putting the players in their best positions.
Short-Blind
Guest
Mike why the constance collapsing then? Poor binds? I'm a back so can't decipher what was occurring.
Mike
Guest
I'm looking over the game again now, and I don't think the Tahs scrummaging was bad. Reds did well on occasions. Interesting watching Talakai's face at the 12 minute mark, I don't think he realised how Robinson had sucked him in. But he will when he sees the replay and he will be better for the experience.
Woodsman
Guest
I dunno if it was planned or Gill was the only one to get into position quick enough but trying to use him as a battering ram was a disaster. The adage "You play like you practice" comes to mind. All the Reds did at training was play hot potato and musical chairs.
Squirrel
Guest
Hooper played all over gill. Gill is average snd is part of the problem. He is a schoolboy type player, your forwards cannot break the line but you buy million dollar princesses who worry about their hairdos
Woodsman
Guest
I'd have him back in a heartbeat but honestly, after the way he was treated last year, I wouldn't blame him for one second for giving Rugby the finger and throwing his phone in toilet.
Woodsman
Guest
What are you on about? Gill had plenty of impact at the breakdown and works very well in tandem with Thompson. He made a number of important tackles where Hooper was literally a fingertip away from a clean break to the try line. Where Gill doesn't shine is trucking it up like he was made to last night due to lack of options. Which brings to mind the question, where is Hendrick Tui? I believe thats what he was signed for, big ball running 8 to get over the gainline so blokes like Gill can focus on being ruck pests. Seems like half the team are playing utility roles to the detriment of their natural game and creating a dogs breakfast where nobody knows whats supposed to be happening anymore.
Daniel Bryson
Roar Rookie
When I watched this game I kept thinking to myself that the England pack, specifically the front row, would have an absolute field day against everyone of those front rowers!
pjm
Roar Rookie
Hooper had a great game in tight with some strong tackles and clean outs and a couple of good runs. Gill tried but made no impact. Don't blame a beaten pack, the pack is beaten because players like Gill just don't have it.
Mike
Guest
I agree. The alarming thing for Reds management is that the Reds knew beforehand exactly what sort of game the Tahs would play.
30mm tags
Guest
Don't blame Frisby . That's a poor call. What is a really poor call is the switching at the last minute of O'Connor to full back and the only option for 10 was putting Frisby ,the Reds back up utility in at 10 , is a reflection, a perfect reflection, of the poor management of the Reds. O'Connor as an attacking fullback behind a forward pack that was very likely to have to struggle against a massive Waratahs pack is not playing to his strengths and therefore a poor management decision. Good reds management us recruiting Thomson. He is a world class player and unfortunately shows up,what we have offer at 7 and 8. So we lost Higginbotham and Angus Cotterel to other provinces . But why is it that the Brumbies can dig up the Murwillimbah sleeping giant Rory Arnold. A man on our back step probably 7 inches taller than our boys and there he is , playing in Canberra. That is poor management . So in our haste to recruit K.hunt and J. O'C we let go Ben Lucas and Mike Harris and recruit a young leaguie from the Broncos who appears to have melted under the sun of pressure. So the back up plan in the event Quade was injured was k.hunt.So we single out a great young player who has been switched around like Mayne Junction railway yards. Anyway regarding management , it doesn't really matter and it's not fair to criticise people with honorary positions, as no one in management is being paid as they are all volunteers, aren't they? Incidentally didn't Liam Gill show up Hooper? Hooper behind a monster pack blended into the couch whereas Gill was like a hyena constantly digging up opportunity.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
Bring back Link
Short-Blind
Guest
As a Red's supporter I agree with you PK, no go forward, too meek at the mainline etc. They were using Gill as a ball runner and he was just getting smashed. Compared it to the Chiefs Highlanders game on Fri night - which was outstanding in terms of skill sets - these guys looked like they hand't trained at all. At least the WAratahs executed a few plays and did enough to win (they should have put 40 on an awful Reds side) and their game is still no where near last year's title winning standard. However, the biggest concern for me was watching those two front rows collapsing (on my rough count) 90% of all scrums WTF? Was the ground breaking up? Didn't look like it. I mean these two front rows with Slipper, Kepu, TPN, Robinson, and the rated up and comer Talakai is close to our test team except for Moore. NH coaches watching that would be sniggling to themselves. Their plans are clear SCRUM and MAUL.
pjm
Roar Rookie
It acts the same as a trip so I think the citing is fine.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Not enough credit goes to the physicality and dominance of the tahs at the ruck. Men against boys. Reds manhandled time and again. Also credit to the bruising hard hitting tahs defence. They smashed the reds back and back that they lost heart and stood deep to avoid being bashed. Reds have no heart, no fight.