The semi-final between the Waratahs and Highlanders on Saturday night showed the crowd and audience a condensed version of the NSW side’s 2015 Super Rugby campaign.
The Tahs stumbled their way through the season, somehow scraping wins and finding themselves in second place. Victories against the Brumbies, Rebels and Sharks come to mind.
A few moments of brilliance kept them in the contest, such as in the wins against the Hurricanes, Crusaders and an annihilation of the Cheetahs. But these wins were paint on mud and we all knew that, deep down, things just weren’t the same this year.
They were a wounded horse in battle, guided by their bloodied and overwhelmed rider, Michael Cheika.
Nick Phipps’ wayward pass in the first minute was the Waratahs’ Round 1 loss to the Western Force. It was wild and unexpected and allowed doubt to spring into the crowd’s mind.
Rob Horne’s try came a few minutes later and was the reassurance we all needed. The sigh of relief, the laugh, the joke – yeah, things’ll be alright, that was just a slip-up before. It was a well-worked manoeuvre and display of vision from Bernard Foley, and a show of skill and power from Horne.
The Tahs reemerged from their uncharacteristic failure in Round 1 to put the sword to the Rebels and the Reds, never playing their best but always in control.
Aaron Smith’s try followed and once led to the question, are the Waratahs really in this? They had been sloppy all season, and the Highlanders have been comparatively impressive. The ease with which the Highlanders’ backs cut through was an ominous warning of more to come.
After knocking over some local derbies the Highlanders and Stormers put an end to the Waratahs’ party. It was the sight Tahs fans became so used to over the last two years – a stunning try at the start of the game and then the inevitable lapse allowing the opponent to strike back. Could they match it with the big boys? Only time would tell.
The exchanging of penalties kept the Tahs in it, with a deficit of just one point at halftime. Don’t be daft, mate! It’s only halftime. Of course we can still win. Cheika will rough ‘em up a bit and they’ll come out twice as good in the second 40.
Correspondingly, the Tahs put three together, becoming the first team to knock over the table-topping Hurricanes, and then the Rebels and Brumbies again. The Tahs were hitting their straps, finally. Or were they?
For the first time in years the Sydney crowd united to chant “Joubert’s a wanker!” after referee Craig Joubert showed Jacques Potgieter a yellow card and awarded a penalty try to the Highlanders. The way Potgieter stared at Joubert in disbelief for several seconds before jogging off captured the rattled and shocked state of the Tahs and their crowd, just as when they fell to the Force for the second time in the season.
Not even a few moments of brilliance from Israel Folau and Michael Hooper or several huge hits from Will Skelton and Wycliff Palu could halt the Highlanders’ onslaught. Victories over the Crusaders, Sharks, Cheetahs and Reds could not hide the sorry state the Tahs were in as even in the final round before their break they were still a shambles, looking disorganised and just not quite right.
The Waratahs will continue to pressure the top spots in the competition in the coming years. A change in the guard is probably the best thing that could happen to this team. It will be great to see new, young, energetic guys coming through, which is what was lacking this year. And that is probably what has me even more keen for the 2016 season than this year.
willthebloody
Guest
The hardest thing to do is back up after winning a title. The reason being that a team tends to rely on the players that did the job the previous year and consequently not enough new talent comes through. Also everybody lifts against the previous champions and your tactics are no longer a secret.
Darrell
Roar Rookie
The Hurricanes have been extremely impressive this year, similarly to the Waratahs of last year, with a talented squad, emphasis on attack and a building year under their belt (last year). Chris Boyd to coach Canes and All Blacks next year?
Darrell
Roar Rookie
Yeah I bet Cheika is wishing he had hung onto guys like Crawford, Volavola and Lopeti Timani.
The Twins
Roar Rookie
I think Cheika needs to really think about WS - he was nothing in the semi against the Highlanders, out run, tackled into oblivion, no one can lift him in a lineout, all of his weight didnt count in scrums, his only action that I saw was trying to push Highlanders around during the little biffs....he is a liability, all that height and weight mean nothing...his younger brother who is bigger and is with the Chiefs franchise will show just how really good he will be....and the promise WS showed but has not delivered.
The Twins
Roar Rookie
every year is better luck next year for any Tahs supporter and the Team
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks Darrell. I agree with Harry, a good read. Welcome to the roar.
Bakkies
Guest
Hoiles is not getting any younger either.
Harry Jones
Expert
Good piece
Brian USA
Guest
It will be interesting seeing who will be filling the squads next year. With Wallabies from every team leaving, a lot of new talent will be unearthed. I would go as far to say that we could be seeing a team next year that has 6-7 new starters! In terms of the Tah's, I hope they slot Hoiles in for JackPot. I feel as though he is vastly underrated in the impact he brings to the team. Granted, it is like trading a monster truck for a Toyota Corolla, but Corollas very rarely let you down...
Brian USA
Guest
I would say if you're looking at the season on the whole, more Tah's players deserve to be in the squad. Definites: Kepu, Skelton, Hooper, Palu, Phipps, Foley, Horne (Form winger in AUS IMO), Folau Probables: TPN, Beale, AAC Possibles: Dennis, Latu, Nayarovoro Although both Phipps and Foley had shockers the other night, they still were good on the season. Palu and Skelton didn't have a huge impact offensively, but defensively they sure did! AAC May not have had a HUGE impact this season, but he is still a very reliable player, and his experience at test level will be valued. I don't get all the love for Dennis though. Sure he is a hard worker, and seems to be a good enough captain of his Super side, but most games I don't even notice he is on the field.
atlas
Guest
Not poached at all. Playing out this season's ITM Cup for Taranaki and moving to Australia for his rugby career. As an adult, gone of his own free will, couldn't get starts for Blues, only four this year, taking another route towards international status "I wanted to exhaust all my options in trying to be an All Black tighthead but, with Owen Franks and Charlie [Faumuina] there and signed on again for a few more years, and Charlie also at the Blues, there's not much room," he said. "I'm lucky I have other eligibility to explore."
Akari
Roar Rookie
The Tahs have poached Angus Ta'avao from the Blues to add to the tight-head stock. With an Oz parent, AT is also eligible for WBs.
Buk
Guest
Good summation of the Tahs' season, Darrell.
44bottles
Roar Guru
You gotta be careful with that line of logic. They were certainly better on the day, but it isn't the best logic to say that they're a better team. Otherwise you end up with a circle of parity. Eg. here is one for the ITM cup last year. http://i.imgur.com/l7V4LIa.png How to Use: 1) Find your team. 2) Track clockwise around the circle until you find the team you are comparing yours too 3) Subsequently prove how your team is superior in all facets
Boomeranga
Guest
I should of scrolled down. Better place to put my comment.
Boomeranga
Guest
I'm excited by the coming seasons. New coach and a need to find some new talent at 1,3,6,8,13,14. I'm hoping they take an interest in Cameron Orr, Harry Jones and maybe the Red Folau if he can return with some form. I think there are promising forwards already in the squad to take the back row gaps, but we need some props and some speed (meaning pace to keep away from recent revelations).
HarryT
Guest
When measured against each other, this season, yes.
Jerry
Guest
So the Force are a better side than the Tahs? Jokes. But yeah, the Tahs - while inconsistent - were a better side than the Brumbies this year.
HarryT
Guest
I know it is a very quaint concept Jack, but when two teams play a game, the team that scores the most points is the best team. Doing it twice in a season sort of reinforces this verdict. Oddly enough, the Waratahs aren't in the finals because the Highlanders beat them for the second time this season.
Kane
Guest
So the Force are better than the Waratahs?