It was a time to remember.
A time when ‘Brexit’ sounded like a word one would use to associate with a dog biscuit.
A time when everybody wondered whether Prince Harry would ever actually settle down.
More importantly, it was a time when at least one of the Australian Super Rugby franchises could match and often better its New Zealand counterparts.
Yes, that’s right, it was way, way, way back in 2014.
We could be talking about many other ages of the past 20 years, but I’d like to draw a comparison with 2014 because it is the Waratahs that have once again shown similar promise.
I recall that year fondly. The Tahs began and finished as the best side in the competition, with consistent results throughout. They were so good they did not draw criticism in regards to their coaching, skill level or results. Yes, it was a perfect season for them, capped off by a perfect performance in the final.
AAP Image/Daniel Munoz
Cue the keyboard warriors – and rightly so, because most of that last paragraph is false. Despite a great start and finish, in the final the Crusaders were allowed back in the game. Rugby rarely goes to script.
Much like 2018, NSW in 2014 were heavily criticised throughout that year. For the first half of that season, most people were completely writing them off with their usual anti-Waratah bias.
This continued right up until the eve of their grand final victory, when right here on this website, Scott Allen wrote a piece illustrating exactly why the Waratahs could not possibly beat the Crusaders.
This was despite the fact that the Tahs had built their season nicely. They’d had a couple of bad results along the way but ultimately stuck to their guns, kept on improving, and were deserved title contenders and, ultimately, champions.
Do you see where I’m going with this?
Part of their successful 2014 season was an unexpected loss to the Blues, but the catalyst for that championship tilt was a game in Sydney against the Highlanders, when they blew them off the park by a then-record amount. I recall that season they went across the ditch and rang their cowbells in the dressing room before going out and hammering the Chiefs. It’s all starting to sound familiar? Perhaps with the Chiefs I am getting ahead of myself.
My question is whether history is repeating itself?
I am not locking them in as certainties for this year’s championship, rather, that for the first time since 2014, they could do it and so there is no reason as a fan not to back them.
We as a fan-base need to see the team we support as a season’s entity. I don’t expect my side to be clear-cut favourites from the outset, I expect them to improve as the season progresses and from time to time have the odd hiccup. A 29-nil loss to the Lions will all be forgotten come July.
I expect to look at other indicators, not just results, along the way to give me bearings as to whether this could be a successful season.
[latest_videos_strip category=”rugby” name=”Rugby”]
Are they staying in an overall positive for and against? Are they scoring well-constructed tries? Have some of their losses been relatively close? When they’ve lost, have there been some statistical positives like run metres or possession stats?
If the answer to most of these questions are yes, you can start to dream.
On that note, it is time to start believing in the Waratahs as genuine title contenders. Let the naysayers continue their negativity, but true fans should not let that stop you being positive. That’s what will draw the crowds and that’s how we can play our part.
Sure, these past few games have seen just the one victory, but the fact they could have just easily been three victories, against teams full of All Blacks, is promising.
I will go as far as saying that this is the best form the Waratahs have been in since the second half of 2014. They are demonstrating the same spirit, the same style of performance, and if they can keep improving, I can see them holding the trophy up once again.
I may be right or I may be wrong. I don’t care. I’m just enjoying getting positive once again about their chances and I urge you to join me.
Vesi
Guest
and whos fault they hardly touch the ball.definitely not mine maybe yours lol
Vesi
Guest
keep dreaming
Kirky
Roar Rookie
T/Man ~ Ouch!!! mate!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
The Waratahs backline is not in the same league as the Chiefs, so going all the way as you say, is, well, debatable!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Jason V!! Brave words there!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
On the decline!!! jeezuz' it wouldn't do the Waratahs any good if any of the Chiefs read that statement! On the decline, I don't think so!!!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
In 2014 the Tahs got lucky no doubt about that, and didn't the Crusaders almost win? ~ The Crusaders from memory were dudded by the Referee in awarding an admitted (by him), incorrect penalty allowing Foley to kick that mickey mouse penalty! Ashley Cooper scored two tries with Foley kicking a total of seven penalties, missing one, unfortunately the incorrectly awarded one, he didn't miss! Sometimes it goes your way and sometimes not, but luck was with the Waratahs in that game, way it goes! I can't for the life of me see the Waratahs beating the Chiefs tomorrow as the Chiefs have four All Blacks back in the team including Charlie Ngatai, which im my mind constitutes a very strong side and considering they are playing at home, the Chiefs should win! The Waratahs have won one game in the last four and that does not indicate an in form team at all, and the game won was against 14 men for 60 minutes and another player for ten minutes so in effect for a fair period of time they played against a team hobbled by red and yellow cards, so in theory they should have won easily and they did!! With 13/14 men off the Park for the length of time they were, gaps were open all over the place for opposition to run through which is what happened, and the Highlanders being the good side they are would in normal circumstances never have let those gaps appear, but it was an unequal contest!
Jumbo
Guest
Just shows how flawed the system is, should be a canes v crusaders final. We can all see that.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Micheal Many thanks for your article. Enjoyed not merely as I concur!! The Jags and Tahs both look conceivable challengers to the top NZ teams. I was starting to think a couple of African teams, but the above appear to have better momentum. Cheers KP
double agent
Guest
Paulo-"Can we rest the ‘moodygate cost us the game’ mantra. Yes, it was a bad miss, these things happen." You're still going on about 2014. That's four years. Can't we have a few weeks?!!
Vesi Tagoiagea
Guest
Thats why they beat the Lions 000000-29
Boonzie
Guest
Wish he'd cut out the occasional cheap shot. Great player otherwise.
Boonzie
Guest
2014 they felt like they should win it, this year they feel like they are a chance, as they should make the finals... But they are going to have to play 3 games (240 minutes) better than they have all year to do it. They could do it... But unlikely. (Hope I'm wrong !)
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yes Reb. Ridsy and the guys look like they are going great guns. Got my Favourite Son shirt the other day but clearly different sizing than we get in HK. My 3XL is a tent. Going to have to run it through the tumble dryer.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Piru. That is brilliant. I really need to learn how to do that laughing so hard I am crying emoji
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I think Rory was unlucky. How does the tallest man on the field tackle the shortest one who has ducked under the tackle. Rory was bent horizontally at the waist when he made contact. I didn't see intent or negligence.But due to the nature of contact, still red.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Didn't seem to be a problem saying that the Rebels Choked after being 3 tries in front of the Tahs in the Alianz Frying Pan. The return match in sunny Melbourne will be the litmus test. Lose that and and it puts them in slot #3. Lose another and they are chasing the 5th wildcard. I think it is too close and too far away to call the winner of that game. Assuming the victory would be arrogant and disrespectful. I think the Jags will win SA.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I think the Chiefs are on the decline at the moment and ripe for the picking. I predict a close match with the crowd booing Folau whenever he goes near the ball.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Can we agree that they are not tearaway victors and can get knocked out of the finals by the Rebels if they suffer a couple of bad games?
piru
Roar Rookie
And we were blaming Kurtley's boots all those times he slipped over - he was really being taken out by invisible All Blacks