The NSW Waratahs are ruing another sloppy start and diabolical defensive display after being handed a Super Rugby reality check in Wellington.
The Waratahs travelled to the New Zealand capital with high hopes of reviving their season, but will return home empty handed after surrendering 38-28 to the high-flying Hurricanes on Friday night.
Trailing 33-7 at halftime, the Tahs blew any chance of springing a boilover after leaking three tries in the opening 11 minutes.
With a bye next week, the Waratahs now have a fortnight of soul searching before resuming against the Kings in Sydney on April 21, with their finals hopes seemingly lost after just two wins in the first eight rounds.
Exasperated skipper Michael Hooper, easily NSW’s stand-out performer again this campaign, said his side must learn to “start better”.
“If we can get two tries at the start of the match, we’d be looking different,” Hooper said.
“But it’s not not that way at the moment. We’ve got to look at how to do that.”
Quickfire tries to stand-in fullback Bryce Hegarty and halfback Jake Gordon early in the second half pulled the Waratahs to within 10 points at Westpac Stadium.
But a second five-pointer of the night from Hurricanes centre Ngani Laumape all but secured the hosts’ victory.
“So much good in the back end of the game. Our fight can’t be questioned this year,” Hooper said.
“We throw it on in the last 40 most games, barring last week (in a 41-22 loss to the Crusaders).
“But the first 20 is an issue for us and it’s really frustrating.”
The Waratahs were once again their own worst enemies in the first half as Laumape, brothers Beauden and Jordie Barrett, Wes Goosen and Mark Abbott all crossed for tries.
The Tahs missed 27 tackles before the interval and were punished repeatedly for dashing out of the line trying to contain the competition’s most potent attacking team.
The defeat left Australian sides none from 12 against Kiwi opposition in 2017.
Hooper, though, denied the uncertainty around how many Australian teams would be involved in the competition next year had contributed to the Waratahs’ woes.
“I can’t speak other teams (but) we’re focused week to week, because that’s all we can control,” he said.
“We’re really excited about playing all teams, Kiwi teams included, and we saw tonight as a huge opportunity.
“We didn’t get the win, but we’ve got to rebuild. We’ve got a bye now, so we’ve got time to look at our deficiencies, I guess, and go again.”
Atlas
Roar Rookie
From the judiciary Sekope Kepu has been suspended from all forms of the game for one week, up to and including Friday, April 21. The Waratahs have a bye in Round 8, therefore Kepu will serve his suspension for his next scheduled match in Round 9. Kepu was awarded a Yellow Card in Round 1, a Yellow Card in Round 2 and a Warning in Round 7.
ClarkeG
Guest
Fitzpatrick is behind the 5m line when the pass is attempted. If it had been passed to the point of being 3m out it would have gone past him before he reached that point. Apisai is in postion to provide defence if Fitzpatrick had received the ball. The referee has to be of the opinion a try would probably have been scored. Apisai's presence had a bearing on that decision. The referee can't make stuff up. He can't pretend Apisai was not there. And Kelleway kicking the ball away at the end of that play was quite ordinary I thought.
ClarkeG
Guest
If the Hurricanes defender had not been there then yes. The referee can't assume that the intended receiver would have beaten the defender.
Paul
Guest
Certain. Fitzpatrick had nothing but a tryline in front of him from 3m out. But it doesn't matter.
Atlas
Roar Rookie
The 2014 average attendance was 11000. From three matches this year, average 15000 but very weather-dependent with large % on the day sales, been fortunate with three good days so far. Till Thursday this week Wellington was under siege from Cyclone Debbie, floods, airport closed, may have changed people's plans, despite it clearing on Friday morning
Atlas
Roar Rookie
Ordinary, at 14100 little below previous matches in 2017, 15700 Rebels and 17700 Highlanders, first two matches were Saturdays Hurricanes next home game played 320km away, McLean Park, Napier on 21 April
double agent
Guest
If that last one wasn't a penalty try then they may as well just abandon the whole concept.
double agent
Guest
You can hardly expect him to say 'we fully expect to be beaten tonight".
double agent
Guest
I think the plan is let the opposition score four soft tries every game and we'll see if we're good enough to beat them.
Republican
Guest
.......ordinary looking attendance in Wellington?
ClarkeG
Guest
You should really elaborate. Otherwise we have no idea what your point is.
ClarkeG
Guest
And that's why penalty tries can be awarded if the referee sees that a try would probably have been scored.
ClarkeG
Guest
It's been in place for a while. I have vague recollection that there might have been a super rugby player a couple of years ago that incurred 3 YCds. It was James Lowe of the Chiefs. There was no sanction as it was decided the second yellow card was wrongly issued. http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/news/no-further-sanction-for-james-lowe/
soapit
Guest
well there you go, one less thing for me to complain about. surprised it hasnt come up in longer comps like super rugby before tho
CUw
Guest
so ur sure a try would have been scored if not for foul?? becoz that is when a penalty try is awarded....
CUw
Guest
not much coach can do when u eff up ur own lineout , or cannot make a one-on-one tackle...
CUw
Guest
JB cant play 10 , he was awful when he did at under 20. centers or full back for him plz...
CUw
Guest
KEPU !!!!
CUw
Guest
did he not come from scotland? :)
Mapu
Guest
Tahs? that's a Aussie thing at the start of season...moore any one and greys easy defensive fix