You would think Michael Hooper’s Waratahs with 11 Wallabies in the starting line-up would be very capable of upsetting the defending Super Rugby champion Crusaders.
In your dreams according to the betting agencies which have the Waratahs at either $9 or $8.50 to win, and the Crusaders at $1.07, or $1.08.
How humiliating – $9 in a two-horse race.
In fact, the last time the Waratahs did beat the Crusaders was the 2014 Super Rugby final at ANZ Stadium, thanks to a 45-metre penalty goal from Bernard Foley’s trusty boot that crept over the cross bar at the junction with the right hand upright.
That’s all it took for the Waratahs to win their first Super Rugby crown in 19 years with a 33-32 scoreline, there were just centimetres in it.
But enough – both in distance, and in points.
The agencies aren’t impressed, nor are the frustrated Waratah faithful.
They have been watching their team commit one basic error after another, as if the Waratahs were just learning how to play.
I excuse Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale, Sekope Kepu, and to some extent the skipper from that bollicking.
Not so according to Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson.
“They are playing some really solid football both in attack and defence,” was Gibson’s explanation this week.
Really?
Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson (AAP Image/ David Rowland)
Like not troubling the scoreboard attendants against the Lions for the first time in 23 years.
Like the 21-24 loss to the Blues, who languish at the bottom of the New Zealand Conference table, while the Waratahs are on top of the Australian Conference.
Like the 22 turnovers in that game and the 25 missed tackles, despite owning 57 per cent of the possession, and 67 per cent of the territory
And we’ll ignore the knock-ons, and over-running the support.
So how does Gibson view the Crusaders?
“We must be at our best, because they contest everything, and compete hard,” he said.
Hang on, isn’t that what we’d expect from the Waratahs game after game, as a bare minimum?
Hopefully the Waratahs are so humiliated by those agency odds they turn this into a David and Goliath clash, and get stuck into the best team in the competition from the get go.
Trust playmaker Beale to give Folau and Taqele Naiyaravoro some space to work their magic – Folau through sheer class, Naiyaravoro through sheer brute strength.
Fingers crossed Hooper plays like a leader from the openside flanker position, and not once swan around in the backs, getting in the road.
Waratahs captain Michael Hooper (AAP Image/Jeremy Ng)
Why Gibson has picked Nick Phipps for his first starting appearance of the season as halfback defies description.
But he’s there instead of Jake Gordon, and must make the most of his reprieve.
Hopefully Phipps has cleared his head after urinating on the bar at his bucks party, and stops telling refs how to control the game, and therefore concentrates on swift and accurate service from set and loose play.
Foley, and Beale, deserve nothing less.
Upfront there are five Wallabies in props Kepu, and Tom Robertson, plus locks Rob Simmons, and Ned Hanigan – four of the tight five that should be able to more than hold their own against any side, at any level.
And if Hooper sticks to what he does best, there should be plenty of good ball for Phipps to send it on its way.
Throw in the trusty boot of Bernard Foley, and some of the frustrated faithful might be in for a very healthy payday.
But if most of the above doesn’t happen, it will just be a case of same old, same old.
Tez
Guest
It was a game to watch ..... unfortunately no ball for about 40 minutes .... one really dodgy yellow card .... no yellow card in the dying minutes for an identical offence .... two missed penalty goals .... and an unpunished tip tackle ..... and the Saders sneak a win ..... but overall a pretty good game to watch and well played by both teams
bluesfan
Guest
Where is Masher one wonders?
Don lampard
Guest
Oh for God's sake !! - we have got to find a way to break this hoodoo. I'll start.......I have nothing :-(
bluesfan
Guest
So my statements that Beale, Folau and Foley are WC - think pretty accurate as reflected in tonights game - though Foley's kicking was off his general play was way above Mo'unga's and Folau/Beale dominated the game - Folau in particular was class. The Crusaders are an amazing team, you have to love them - that Forward Pack is the Roll-Royce of Forward Packs - even with Matt Todd have a terrible game with his hands. Think some of the people will be pretty embarrassed about their statement on the aforementioned players - as a Proud Kiwi I recognise quality players and accordingly it makes it all the sweeter when you get a win over them!
bluesfan
Guest
So Foley wouldn't be in the Crusaders - as I watch Mo'unga kick after kick to Folau. And Folau wouldn't be in the team - over Bridges - as he has just created 2 tries. or how about Beale - as Bateman throws an intercept pass Let me just repeat myself - you don't think Foley, Folau and Beale would be in a Crusader 23? Well I will have some of what you are drinking!
ThugbyFan
Guest
What a dopey statement by John and some of his one-eyed kiwi fanatics. So blinded by your "nothing else is out there" love of kiwi rugby that you cannot see the wood from the trees. btw, I'm watching the Tahs playing against the Crusaders. After 30 minutes, its 29-0 to the Tahs, sport! How does egg all over your face taste? Izzy has eaten them alive, B.Foley has them totally flummoxed and I read your rubbish of the greatness of all kiwi players and how pathetic all Aussie players are. I'm not sure whether I should really feel sorry for your lack of neurones or just laugh. And btw I still expect the Crusaders to win but mostly through their forward power.
Simoc
Guest
Folau would be first player picked in an All Black line up. They're playing Rugby Union.
Masher
Guest
Foley would be as crap behind the Crusaders because despite all the years of professional rugby he’s never learnt to pass to the right or kick further than a 1/4 of a field. It’s got nothing to do with not recognising other countries produce good players. There are some good players but unfortunately the state biased setup in Australia is limiting their development. The issue is that none of the three players you mention would make the Crusaders. They all have deficiencies that they can’t seem to improve on and none of them are good enough. That’s all
ThugbyFan
Guest
Good point AJ, I forgot about Lance playing fullback. B.Thorn suggested he prefers Lance at 5/8 at this time, I guess to ease Hamish Stewart into SR. Its quite conceivable they may swap positions at times during the match so number on their back may not be so critical. But as you said, neither of us know how the Reds experts are going to play it. At present its Sunwolves 6 - Red blot. Reds to win but I love the vocal Japan crowd, wish we had that passion at the SFS. Sometimes a morgue has more character. LoL
Ralph
Roar Guru
Looks like its going to be cold, but dry and very little wind.
Muzzo
Guest
Hahaha being generous T/man, lol?? Maybe 50, with the home crowd advantage.
Taylorman
Guest
And was it...8.? Nominations?And yes Fionn we go on a bit about our players more than ozzies to simply because we have reason too. The analogy is the Oz cricket side. Numptys go on for Africa over their players when I dont see them as impressive at all.
bluesfan
Guest
Beale - stepped by a move a 12 year old could see - right, remind me of which 12 years can play in a WC Final? Beale was the one player on the Oz side that was looking likely to break the line - go rewatch the final. Sad that people appear to have chips on their shoulder and not being able to acknowledge that other countries can produce extremely good players e.g. how good would Foley be in playing behind the Crusaders pack, what would Folau be like on the end of an AB back-line. However comment of the day has to be for a player who played State of Origin at 18: "he is so far from works class that he would not make 15 in any team in the world except the Waratahs and the Wallabies." I mean please - so just for the NZ teams - the following players are better at 15 than Folau - Duffy at the Blues, Ngatai at the Chiefs & Havili at the Crusaders? Folau has weaknesses like all players but that he wouldn't get picked for any other side... Maybe remind me how the Wallabies were able to beat the AB's in Brisbane and just miss out in Dunedin last year - bit sad when you can't acknowledge good/excellent/great rugby players just because they come from another country.
Bamboo
Guest
Him being the Aussie No.10 highlights the lack of depth in that position more than it highlights his skills as a player. There on merit yes, but hardly world class. I'd choose Richie Mo'unga over Foley every day, based on common sense.
On the Ball
Guest
I hope the Crusaders win by 50!
bluesfan
Guest
Yip - Mitchell Hunt is obviously a better player than Foley... or how about some Bryn Gatland - NZ don't have a mortgage on top rugby talent
nickbrisbane
Guest
He is a selector as well?
Masher
Guest
In the World Cup final Beale came on and immediately let Nonu in for the easiest of tries as he was stepped by a move a 12 year old could see. I’m not sure what you were watching to see him as the most dangerous player on the field but it wasn’t the same game I was watching. I don’t think all Kiwi players are good and all Australian players are bad at all. But the way players in Australia are forgiven for a lack of basic skills and then reverred for a very small part of the skill set needed to be good is just weird. Folau is a good player but for a supposedly world class 15; he can’t kick, he is always out of position on defence and so misses tackles, he doesn’t drive into defence and he mis times his runs into the backline. He’s got 2 skills; he can catch a ball and if he’s given space he can attack. He is so far from works class that he would not make 15 in any team in the world except the Waratahs and the Wallabies.
MA
Guest
Hahahahahahahahahahaha. Now that was funny. Foley playing for a NZ side. He would struggle to make a NZ school boy team.
bluesfan
Guest
Some of these posts are interesting to say the least. All Kiwi players are gods and all Aussie players are hopeless? Folau and Beale are WC players - you might not like that fact but they are - just had to see the 2nd BC game last year or even the 2015 WC final - where Beale was the most dangerous player on the field. Foley is a deeply experienced 1st 5 - who got the Wallabies into the 2015 WC Final, won a Super Rugby final with a last minute kick - whilst his kicking is of the short range variety - he is a quality player. Mo'unga by comparison is relatively untested - his upside is huge but at this stage of his career - I would put him behind Foley. There is nothing wrong in recognising that there are some extremely talented players in the Waratahs - they are just gems amongst the dross. People forget how in the 2nd BC game last year, the AB's only just won and driving the Wallabies forward that day were the players that I have mentioned above + Genia.