Brilliant Waratahs stay on top of Australian Conference - for now

I thought it was Paddy Ryan who did the damage with ball in hand out of the two props. Black mark against Robertson's name was he was first to the ruck before the Chief's second try and chose to post up on the near side instead of doing the hard work and going to the far side. If he'd been there he could have shut down that try.

Hi RT, agree with you on M.Hooper. He was everywhere, as was I.Falou, N.Phipps and B.Foley. I thought S.Cane, A.Cruden and B.Retallick played well in a losing side. With regards to future SR matches, as one Aussie side is bound to get into the finals thanks to the conference system, I suspect the Tahs and Brumbies might conspire and both lose to the Rampaging Blues with bonus points, thereby pushing the Blues into the Finals and displacing the Highlanders or Hurricanes. I suspect Auckland will be in party mode for a week whereas Zoo and Canes followers will be calling for the stewards if this happens. Live in hope, RT. :)

We need a new THP. Solved! Izzy of course. :)

M.Hooper got my man of the match. I.Folau and N.Phipps not far behind and Tom Robertson also. He tackled well, put in some decent hits and ran the ball up the middle with no fear forcing 2-3 players onto him. B.Foley is the key, he is head and shoulders above any other 5/8 in Australia. When he fires (running and the lil general) then the backline runs like a Farrari .

What a pleasure to watch, easily the Tahs' best game since 2014 and a good win against the then NZ conference leader. This was possible in great part due to the forwards playing like never before this year. Palu, Dennis, Mumm, Skelton had their best game this season. We held up in the scrums (5 wins each), kept the ball in our lineouts (none lost) and stole one (not multiple as some wrote). The real difference was in the loose; I don't know if it was Gibson's instruction or Hooper's decision, but attacking the Chief's poorly defended rucks was enlightened and was the precursor of most of our tries. Defense was also key, by both forwards and backs. Tackle completion was only 75% (Chiefs 80%), but the ferocity was there and, despite having almost no possession and territory in the first thirty minutes, we managed to keep the Chiefs at bay. The Chiefs didn't play poorly, they just couldn't get through. I think that, more than any previous game, we played with heart. In the first half, Folau's try came from the defending, Hooper's try from attacking the rucks. The backs had a field day with the ball provided by the forwards. Tahs did 108 runs for 860 meters, against 81/473 by the Chiefs. Folau was on fire, with 12 runs and 3 line breaks, good defense. I had doubts about moving him to centre, this game set any doubts to rest. TWAS likes to comment on his roving, I think its actually a big plus, as long as the rest of the backs are ready to cover (and it does work for the Tahs). Folau's participation in the game has increased (as compared to fullback), which is what you want from a great athlete. I think Horne played his role very well, defending and serving as the connector in attack. The second half was a different game, with the Tahs once again lifting their performance. This gave us overall possession for the game (54%), although we still didn't have territory (only 41%). The increased possession resulted in four tries, great finishing, great heart. I hope this is a demonstration of how the Tahs will be playing in the future. I don't have illusions that they will play like this every game henceforth, but hopefully its a demonstration of a Gibson playing pattern emerging. It's still the Brumbies' group to win, and our chance of making the finals rests in the slender chance of clinching the final wildcard (with a possible re-match against the Crusaders in Christchurch). But if we keep on playing like this, I think we do have a chance. Bring on the Canes!

No Peter, it's your typical style. Make a broad brush statement that's either critical of NZ or NZ fans. Then, when you get called on it, you claim you were only referring to this specific set of circumstances. You made a broad statement that 'only in NZ' do you get "identification of fans as being the players". Then, when I call you on that blatant exaggeration, you say it only applies to " fans when they are criticised see it as the team being criticised". Ok then. Let's accept you were only referring to that specific set of circumstances. If that is 'typical' of NZ, how about you show some other times it's happened? You made the original claim after all - what was it you said "Put up or shut up"?

We see and hear the attitude over and over Taylorman. We are very well qualified to comment on it, whether you like it or not.

Pete, with kiwis the fans attitude is the ABs attitude. The ingredients that go into what makes the All Blacks side successful is a result of its fans, and their attitudes. Because you cannot be an All Black without being an AB fan. And every All Black knows that they are largely answerable to their fan base. That is part and parcel one of the reasons for their success. You are not seeing the fans attitude on the ROAR, you are seeing the comments of several people passing time on the internet discussing their favourite past time...rugby. You cannot make a statement, based on what you are seeing on the ROAR that essentially separates the All Blacks from its fans. Being an AB fan has a lot more to it than someone who makes comments on the ROAR. You have no idea what makes up NZ rugby, what makes it so successful, why they win so often, and particularly what it's like to be an AB fan. To make that judgement, based on what you read and see on a screen is myopic, and distant. So please don't try and explain to NZers what they're attitude is. You can make a guess, but please don't act as an authority on it, because you're simply not qualified. Instead spend more time on working out how to beat them more...just a suggestion.?

Peter, I also think Dave Dennis' game has been rather undersung. A big match from the former captain.

Typical Jerry pinned down and clearly wrong , unable to substantiate his claims, and avoids the debate / questions.

Sorry Pete, you're wrong there. The AB fans are the AB attitude. We are one, we are all interconnected and act as one universal entity. And as usual, we're coming to get youuuuuu!????

Classic PeterK posting style.

Hence the comment...they missed Leitch...easily one of the Chiefs best this year.

no jerry you just don't accept what has actually been written instead of you longing to target me. On the post where I say only in nz, the line right after states the context The FANS attitude is not the teams attitude. I criticised fans and Jack in his rebuttal when on about the teams attitude. Show me where any other countries fans when they are criticised see it as the team being criticised. The level of identification in NZ is another level of anywhere else.

Sam Cane is another. Mumm did well to run a lineout with skelton as one of the locks and not lose any lineouts. I am not a fan of Mumm. However I maintain he had a good game, his only one of the year.

Tman I wonder if the Chiefs are not so strong after all. They performed exceptionally against the Brumbies, but haven't they lost to both the Highlanders and Crusaders now and play them again? Perhaps their tougher games have come in the back half of the draw.

God you're obtuse.

The Waratahs certainly gave them a run for their money Peter

What quality forwards do the Chiefs have though? Outside the 2nd row did they have any last night?

I think he's their best 13. Mostly for his defensive prowess. Izzy can roam and his impact will make up for any short comings.