Michael Hooper, Kurtley Beale, and Israel Folau will never spearhead a more gutsy, more passionate win in the famous Waratah jersey than the last minute 32-30 success over the Stormers early this morning.
Winning at Newlands is always a big ask, but even more formidable with precious little possession and territory, watched by a parochial 25,000-plus crowd.
It was the exciting centre combination of Beale and Folau that kept the Waratahs in touch in the first half, despite just 30 per cent possession and not much more territory.
Will Skelton and Bernard Foley combined to send Beale through a gap and no one was going to stop him.
Then it was Beale’s turn to hold his pass until Folau was in the gap, and away went the big centre for his sixth try of the tournament.
That made the half-time score 14-10 in the Stomers’ favour, despite sorte after sorte testing the Waratah defence to the tune of 70 tackles, compared to the Stomers’ mere 29.
It was one-way traffic for the locals, but they didn’t count on Waratah grit.
The second half was much the same with the Waratahs having to make something out of virtually nothing.
But that didn’t stop the Waratahs putting together a great team try through 10 pairs of hands that included Beale and Folau and ended with Rob Horne touching down for the Waratahs to hit the front for the first time 25-23, with just 13 minutes to go.
According to the run of play, the Waratahs had no right to be in that position – then the question was asked, could they hold on with so little ball?
Lanky Stormers lock Pieter-Steph du Toit decided for the second time, enough is enough.
He picked up a loose ball and strolled over for a converted try for the Stormers to regain the lead 30-25 with seven minutes left on the clock.
Then it was the skipper’s turn that clinched man-of-the-match honours – and the match.
With the Waratahs pounding the Stormer line, Michael Hooper picked up and crashed over under the dot, Foley converted, and it all over red rover 32-30.
Simply magnificent.
While Hooper, Beale, and Folau deserve the accolades, No.8 Jed Holloway, behemoth lock Skelton, and full-back Andrew Kellaway must be recognised for their contribution.
A look at the Australian Conference table after the Rebels and Brumbies were beaten earlier, and that Newlands win has the Waratahs ready to take the lead.
The Rebels are on 23 points, the Brumbies 21, both after nine games, but the Waratahs have a game in hand, and lurk on 21.
The Waratahs have only one target, that’s to top the Australian Conference which is automatic entry in the finals series.
So the Waratahs must keep winning and if early this morning was an indication of where they are at, the target is very realistic, especially as hooker Tatafa Polota-Nau is ready for 80-minute stints after breaking his arm.
The Waratah road to the final series:
Cheetahs at Allianz
Bulls at Allianz
Crusaders at Christchurch
Chiefs at Allianz
Sunwolves at Tokyo
Hurricanes at AlIianz
Ad the Blues at Eden Park
Four of the last seven games are at home.
So let’s have 35,000-plus crowds at Allianz – the Waratahs deserve nothing less after their performance this morning.
Worth repeating – simply magnificent.
The Sheriff
Guest
David, the performance of the TAHS was a joy to behold for us old fellows. Another to impress was young Jed Holloway who showed a bit of spirit in the close encounters. He should be somewhere in the wallabies squad if only there to learn the systems (if they have any). It was great to see the backline defend well and click into gear. They showed some ticker, at last. Unfortunately, I must add that although Paddy Ryan tries very hard he is not a prop.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Kurindrani scares no one.
cs
Guest
The Brumbies aren't clueless. They have a very good pack of forwards. Their backs are the problem. On Saturday they looked like they had no idea how to score a try, and were directionless generally. I'm biased, but not so biased that I can't remember when the Tahs used to be like that; it's a syndrome that can take hold. Thankfully, the Tahs have changed. Give Phipps, Foley and KB in particular a tiny sniff and they're over the line. As for the Brumbies v. Tahs games, the amazing thing in the first outing was that the Tahs could have actually snatched the game. despite being flogged in the forwards. The second round was a good win at the Footie Stadium, but in truth there wasn't much between the teams, so that it could have easily gone the other way. The Brumbies have some good runners in their backs, but they lack vision, creativity and confidence, which is pretty ironic given that they have Bernie as coach.
PeterK
Roar Guru
so you are blaming the tahs for the OTT support of some of their fans? Which tahs players think they are masters of the universe? Which tahs players attacked CLL or TK, made disparaging comments against them? So you want the tahs to lose to keep their fans in check even if that means the wallabies are weaker?
Suzy Poison
Guest
hairy
Machooka
Roar Guru
No bennalong I didn't see it l 'live' but I most certainly watched it... infact I watched it twice! My comments may be a little flat but that's because I felt Mr.Lord was a bit over the top... well very much over the top as he didn't mention the 'red' card which most definitely had a bearing on this game! And besides I somewhat expected the Tahs to win this game... stuck it out there before the game which went against what the 'crowd' were tipping. Therefore, this win was much needed as the Tahs should be winning these games... now we'll all look to future games eh!
SP
Guest
ha ha.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Well when you put it like that it makes it look tough. I think NZ sides will view the Tahs as the oz side to beat from here in given the Brumbies poor form and Rebels lightweight scoring. Plus they've been there recently. They won't win all four of those, but they won't lose them all either. They will need three though, still tough.
pete and paul
Roar Rookie
4 of their last games are at home but 2 are in NZ...Saders to win....Blues to win at the Garden of Eden...Chiefs to win...Canes to win
Harry Jones
Expert
The referee said the slip was irrelevant. I think would be correct if the chaser was running at the jumper with no intent to leap and contest. For instance, if Emery had slipped it wouldn't have mattered. But Zas is a full time chase-and-leaper, and it was his plant foot that slipped as he was (eyes on ball) preparing to plant and leap (he's a tremendous leaper). So I think the "what he was trying to do when he slipped" does matter for purposes of choosing the correct didcipline spectrum of penalty to yellow to red to ban. I think the (almost inarticulate) TMO failed to explain to Fraser why the slip did matter. Even so: - great win - gutsy Tahs - Storrners could've closed it out 14 v 15 - the scrum mattered most - good teams win short-handed
Boz the Younger
Guest
An utterly clueless comment, TK is rated as an x-factor player here and overseas alike. He won us the South African game in Brisbane last year with the last minute try, a win that was necessary to win the Rugby Championship. He also scored a critical try in the Scotland match, which saved a embarrassing quarter finals exit in the World Cup. There aren't many centres in the World who can bust through in thick traffic like him nor defend as well. Folau is doing very well and if he continues this way I can see them in some sort of combination, 13/14 perhaps, but I can't see TK being left off any Wallabies side based on one or two bad games.
Boz the Younger
Guest
Reading the comments reminds me of why I barrack for all Aussie teams and anybody playing the Waratahs. One very lucky win against a good opponent following on from beating two minnows, and they think they are the masters of the universe. In particular the attacks other great Aussie players like TK and CLL, because they would rather see their own players in gold, is disgusting. Who was the first to come to Hooper's defence when Dwyer said what he did about Hooper's quiet season? Moore of the Brumbies, that's who, a few Tahs supporters here should take lessons in class from him. Aussie Rugby is better off when the Tahs lose, it is the only way to keep their egos in check. Thankfully I think that the Crusaders and Chiefs will help us with that in coming weeks.
Boz the Younger
Guest
I saw Foley knock on at least three times, that is why David probably didn't mention him. Overall the Tahs were pretty average with flashes of individual skill, but had the Stormers not lost a man for 25 or had their kicked had one more successful conversion, they would have been beaten. And Kuridrani might have had a lousy game on Saturday but anybody who thinks Cheika won't select him to start at 13 on the basis of that is pulling themselves. Folau has had bad games this season, so has Beale, it happens but good players don't get written off on that basis. And let's not forget that those "clueless" Brumbies players beat the Tahs twice this season and wiped the floor with the Hurricanes, before all their injury, illness, administrative and suspension problems took their toll. Their hardest games are behind them now though while the Tahs still have the Chiefs and the Crusader's. Good luck with that.
bennalong
Guest
The Stormers would not have won without the Red! Of course no-one can prove it but it didn't FEEL like it to me Suzy. I wish people wouldn't compare games. Stats help but the fantastic thing about rugby is there are too many variables. You aren't including trajectory and impetus. The Tahs have started terribly under a new coach. The Stormers have looked the goods and were at home. No-one mentioned Fraser but I thought he made a lot of questionable calls against us. The Red was unfortunate for you but prompted a passionate fight back and brought the crowd back into the match. Those variables are powerful. By the way, are you a woman or is that a pen name for a hairy 'bok!
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
The Waratahs would not have won without the red card, and the red card was wrong as the player clearly slipped.
bennalong
Guest
Up the top, Chook, you said you didn't see the match live. Did you actually see it ? It was a great contest. I've been silent this season because the Tahs have been depressingly bad in all the areas that took them to their big championship win. This was a great win because it was a great game. The Tahs had minimal possession, the Stormers never stopped attacking. Talk about damning with faint praise......Everyone seems to take a negative if David goes off for the Tahs. But the missing elements were all there this morning and our best were shining. I did find it strange that Foley was all but ignoredby you, David. He's unopposed at 10 for the Wallabies for a reason. He is a general and absolutely cool under pressure. His intuitive understanding with KB is now nothing short of impressive. Anti Tahs Aussies will have a problem with this but Beale is number 12 on form. Izzy's first picked for gold but it remains to be seen if he's a 13.....yet! But he's got a month to show if his communication with Beale will give Karmichael Hunt a shot at 15. Kerevi's injury may be the decider because as Cynical noted, Kuridrani has lost his mojo. Skelton is back to his monstering best having gone missing in 2016. Holloway is the real deal. Hooper deserved MOM and I hope silenced his critics. He has a massive motor and comes out of nowhere to clean up others misses. He may not be a classic 7 but he's a one off great!. I'm a total fan but if the boys keep improving they'll top our conference. [PS: I'm against Red cards because, as in this case they tarnish a great win. Give him a yellow and a citing. I'm betting he'll only et one match but Foley could have broken his neck.]
ebop
Guest
It was a good win, fair play.
ClarkeG
Guest
I doubt that.
cs
Roar Guru
On occasions such as this, I expect more enthusiasm 'chooka! Lift your game ol' son!
In Brief
Guest
most penalties in rugby come from interpretations that are not in the law book, that's the way the game's going You could probably write a new law book based on the interpretations.