Thanks to a barnstorming second half by Bernard Foley, the Waratahs turned a 25-6 half-time deficit into a miraculous 32-25 victory at AAMI Park last night.
Foley missed the first four Super Rugby games with concussion, and he took 45 minutes to get back into stride with the Rebels in full control.
Reece Hodge was the Rebels catalyst going into the break with two tries, two conversions, and two penalties to his name worth 20 points.
Then Foley fired and Hodge nor his team could score another.
With good clean ball from his forwards, and Jake Gordon’s excellent service, fly-half Foley set his backline alight, even though they still made far too many elementary errors.
But mistakes could be covered when the Waratahs enjoyed 75 per cent possession, a whopping 82 per cent territory, and a penalty count that ended up 17-7 in the Waratahs favour.
What the hell, at last the Waratahs had a concentrated crack, and most of their efforts were either raiding the Rebels’ line or scoring four tries, the last two at the death to snatch the win.
But there’s no way coach Daryl Gibson could feel on top of the world.
For a roster that boasts 13 Wallabies, it’s simply not good enough.
Turning back the clock, the Waratahs fell over the line line 19-13 in the opener, winning ugly.
Then they were hammered 56-36 by the Lions and 37-14 by the Sharks in South Africa – 93 points to 50, prompting Waratahs captain Michael Hooper to say the tour was a success on the training paddock.
A fat lot of good that was where it counted. so the Waratahs returned for the big local derby against the Brumbies and another 28-12 loss that should have been bigger except the Brumbies weren’t too crash hot either.
And it looked desperate last night when the Rebels led by 19 points, and in total control.
Did the Rebels run out of puff, or did the Waratahs lift incredibly well?
I’d have to go with the latter with the exception of 18 turnovers to 12.
But the Waratahs made 162 runs to the Rebels’ 79 that translated to 741 metres to just 343, and the Rebels sure helped by missing 39 tackles to 19.
So the Waratahs survived, and it was good to see Jake Gordon go so well ahead of Wallaby half Nick Phipps, and to see Cameron Clarke come off the bench and look so at home in the centres.
Clarke was one of the few in the Australian Sevens in recent years who deserved to wear the gold jersey,
So the Crusaders are next up for the Waratahs, the real litmus test.
Anything less than last nights second half, and those marauding Crusaders will rattle up a cricket score.
John R
Roar Guru
phibbs == phipps
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
That's probably true that it happened. But at the same time he was subbed, the Rebels subbed Weeks off for Lomax who struggled last game and 3 minutes later they had to sub a lock for Jordy Reid due to concussion. So after Skelton went off they scrummed against a rookie THP and a backrower in the 2nd row.
cs
Roar Guru
Agree Paulo, I retract my criticism re Big Will after watching the replay.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
This was by far the best Oz game this year, gives me hope we can start lifting ourselves out of the hole. The first 20 minutes were good by both teams. Tahs were hampered by a continuing inability to transform possession into scoring. They then had an also too often brain fade and the Rebels played some good rugby, deserved the nineteen point difference. Second half was all one way, started with the incumbents, the subs continued the good form. Not sure what happened to the Rebels decision making, it just went from bad to worst in the second half. Agree Foley made a difference; his underling does seem to have skills, but doesn't have the experience to guide a team around the park like Foley. It's a shame Phipps game has fallen so much, alas, gave Gordon a chance to debut. Disagree with the negative comments on big Willie - he carried quite a lot and made the gain line every time. Folau was better at FB, but I wonder if the fact that the backing wasn't firing in the first four games tainted the experiment of having him at centre. He played some good games as centre last year. Hodge did look very good for the Rebels, made a real difference. Good performance from Styrofoam and Deb too. Prognostic for next week - still a tough one. Oz teams are in a historical low, while Kiwi teams are on a historical high. Kiwis are dominating not only against Oz but against the Saffas too, exciting time for then. I hope we play as in the second half, make it a real game (hope it's not raining too).
Riwai Grace
Roar Rookie
As a kiwi I have a soft spot for the Rebels because I love Melbourne - but watching the Tahs come from behind and win that game was amazing - We need a strong Australian team or our rugby suffers, hopefully the Tahs came keep improving and Australian rugby can benefit from it. Super rugby needs this to survive so congrats to all the tahs out there and good luck next week against our boys
Dontcallmeshirley
Guest
Agreed. Bizarre decision from a team that has been humped in the first few rounds.
Dontcallmeshirley
Guest
No! Phipps is a 24 on a 9's body!
double agent
Guest
Most entertaining Aussie derby so far this year by miles.
double agent
Guest
Yes wait and see. Every player played a lower grade at some point. He's not got Phipp's mongrel (not many do Phipps is a 7 in a 9's body) but he's smart and less hot headed.
double agent
Guest
Agree. He's going well.
double agent
Guest
Despite being on the wrong end of the scoreboard in the 1st half NSW still played some really good rugby. As did Melbourne.
double agent
Guest
He was on his arse.
HP
Guest
The only embarrassment in Australian rugby at the moment in Referee Hoffman, and unfortunately the Force has been subjected to it.
double agent
Guest
He looked really stuffed from the 78th minute I thought.
double agent
Guest
They do - Tolu Latu The King Of Turnovers!!!!
double agent
Guest
Hooper would have been great in league.
double agent
Guest
I was actually surprised by the speed and quality of the match. The closest Aussie teams have come to an NZ derby so far this year.
double agent
Guest
Hooper is in the same mould as Tim Horan - Captain Crazy.
Shop
Roar Guru
Definitely an exciting game and probably the best so far of the Oz games. I thought it was a combination of the Tahs storming home and the Rebels running out of puff. The Rebels turned down an early shot at goal in the second half which I thought was crazy. Up by 19 they could have gone up by 22 to make it 4 scores for the Tahs to come back. Psychologically this can be a real boost. I thought from that moment on the Tahs were always a chance. Closing out games is something many Oz teams have real trouble with.
The Sheriff
Guest
The problem is they may never 'hit their straps' because of the predominance of the AFL culture and the presence of the established Strom RL team