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If Kurtley Beale keeps playing like he did last night against the Reds at Allianz, he must be the Wallaby 12 in the three-Test series against England in June.
Before the anti-Beale brigade get their togas in a tight knot, the 27-year-old was not only the most outstanding attacking player on the paddock last night, but the defensive leader as well.
Beale didn’t miss a tackle, and in fact pulled off the tackle of the game when he smothered powerful Reds winger Chris Feauai-Sautia front-on within sniffing distance of a five-pointer, which had the Waratahs high-fiving their teammate in salute.
In the context of the game, that try-saving tackle clinched the new Super Rugby try bonus point that’s been changed from an automatic four tries, to beating the opposition by three.
The Waratahs scored four tries to one in their 30-10 success, but that scoreline wasn’t an indication the Waratahs were three times the better side.
Far from it.
In the first 27 minutes the Waratahs opened up a 20-0 lead, and were heading for a cricket score.
But has so often been the case over the years, the Waratahs took their foot off the pedal and allowed the Reds back into the game.
The shut-down was unbecoming a starting line-up that boasted 11 internationals, and 992 Super Rugby appearances.
That didn’t apply to Beale, his inside centre David Horwitz on an impressive debut, and a welcome return to form of Israel Folau, now his ankle problems of the Rugby World Cup have been surgically fixed.
Up front, No 8 Jed Holloway was also impressive in the tight and loose. while captain Michael Hooper started well, but fell off after those 27 active minutes.
In fact the Waratahs didn’t get back on track until the 61st minute when Beale ignited the Waratahs fourth try by deftly chipping ahead to allow half Nick Phipps to outpace the defence to score.
In the process Beale was illegally taken out late by Reds benchman Ayumu Goromaru, who got off scot-free from referee Angus Gardner who saw fit to dish out 28 penalties and three yellow cards all night.
Next up for the Waratahs the Brumbies who by comparison were brilliant on Friday night in hammering the Hurricanes 52-10, crossing for seven tries.
On the surface, the Wararats must improve at least 200 per cent to even compete.
Who to blame last night? Was it captain Michael Hooper or coach Daryl Gibson, also making his Super Rugby debut?
Hooper can take the responsibility for the 13 minutes to the break, Gibson for the unproductive first 21 minutes of the second session.
There’s half the game, and there’s no way the Waratahs can beat the Brumbies going AWOL for so long.
In this weird draw, the Waratahs and Brumbies meet each other twice, and play the Reds, Force and Rebels once each.
They both play all of the New Zealand Conference – Hurricanes, Highlanders, Blues, Chiefs, and Crusaders, and the South African Conference 1 – Bulls, Stormers, Cheetahs, and newcomers Sunwolves from Japan.
But both the Waratahs and Brumbies miss playing the South Africa Conference 2 of Lions, Kings, Sharks,and Jaguares.
So it stands to reason that the two Waratahs-Brumby clashes will be vital in qualifying for the overall top eight teams for the quarter finals, making the next round a litmus test of the season.