Vastly experienced Waratah halfback Nick Phipps was directly involved in two superb tries against the Chiefs last night that gave the men in blue a 14-nil lead in the first 13 minutes.
But the other Phipps, the one who is a pain in the butt to watch, surfaced twice to gift the Chiefs two tries – the first by box kicking out on the full, the second by not being in position with the ball just sitting there from a ruck ten metres from the Waratahs’ try line.
Those two mistakes saw the Chiefs lead 19-14 at the break, and ultimately led to a 39-27 victory for the home side.
There’s no way the Chiefs were a 12-point better side, sometimes there’s no justice in a result.
The killer was a forward pass ruled by referee Glen Jackson early in the second half.
Kurtley Beale had delivered a long pass left to Will Miller who dived over untouched for a try that would have given the Waratahs the lead.
It wasn’t forward, but a rare mistake by the ref who had a good game last night.
Jackson awarded a penalty that Bernard Foley converted instead, but the four points difference was telling at the time.
The Waratahs are a strange side. They can play such scintillating rugby that makes you get off the sofa to applaud, then make mistakes you would take an under-ten side to task.
For example, the Chiefs owned 61 per cent possession for the game and 57 per cent territory while goalkicker Damian McKenzie missed three of six conversions.
Yet he was my man of the match dominating all over the park by crossing for two tries, the last after the final hooter that gave the Chiefs a bonus point while costing the Waratahs one.
The Waratahs can look at Phipps’ telling mistakes plus 19 turnovers and 33 missed tackles.
Sure the game was played at a cracking pace, but missing 33 tackles was just asking for trouble.
Yet Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Cameron Clark and Michael Hooper can be saluted for their tireless efforts.
I really like the look of Clark, a convert from the Sevens to thoroughly out-play the other Waratah winger Taqele Naiyaravoro, who had a night he’d rather forget.
He was one of ten Wallabies in the Waratahs’ starting line-up last night that is now only one point ahead of the Rebels on the Australian Conference ladder.
The Waratahs have the Reds to play away before the June international window, to finish the Super Rugby draw with the Rebels away, plus the Sunwolves and the Brumbies both at home.
The Rebels have the Blues away, then the Waratahs away, finishing with the Reds and Highlanders at home.
The Waratahs should end up on top to automatically qualify for the playoffs, but they won’t if Nick Phipps is there.
piru
Roar Rookie
Am I the only one who feels TN is over-rated? No John you are not the oly one, for mine I don;t know if his positive attributes make up for his drawbacks, case in point the Chiefs kicking behind him. Also I know he's naturally a big fella, but he seems a little overweight to me - could just be projecting.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Popcorn kicker Foley can't make it past the 10m line.
piru
Roar Rookie
Rewatched it four or five times, Mrs Piru (who doesn't follow rugby) even asked who the lazy guy in 15 was.
piru
Roar Rookie
I'd say you can't afford both Naiyavoro and Folau in the back 3 - Chiefs attacked that back corner and got results nearly every time
piru
Roar Rookie
Dead right - I actually thought he must have been subbed as didn't see him for a good 10 minutes
piru
Roar Rookie
Kiwirugbyfan, agree absolutely - he had no idea what to do and was waiting for someone to take action. A rugby player would have known he had to get there quick and contest - it's moments like this that remind you that Folau is still a transplanted league player.
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
So David, you're saying the Waratahs should "moo"-ve on? Total. Cow. Reference.
bert
Guest
I'm with you, piru, regarding that protected species, the scrum half. They stand at the back of the ruck with a foot on the ball, which is clearly out, in the knowledge that the ref will protect them should anyone dare to challenge them or make a grab at the ball
piru
Roar Rookie
I personally don't like Phipps much, not sure why except scrum halves in general annoy me, but the second Chiefs try was not all his fault. Yes the ball came out and he wasn't there - sometimes that happens, maybe he tripped or something. You know who WAS there? Israel Folau - watch the replay. As he realises that he is going to be the first back there, he almost stops - then decides he'll have to get involved, so runs at the Chiefs player, makes no effort to break down or get into a position to tackle but simply slaps him on the chest before jogging past, pulling his best "I tried so hard to tackle him but he got past me" face while the Chiefs score behind him.
bluffboy
Guest
Ok Ok He may not be able to defend consistently or he has no idea about positional play at full back or he has trouble with the boot consistently, but he jump really really high.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Aside from the attendants of the church of Folau, the rest of us can see he is a one trick pony. He is great under the high ball catch and attack. Ok, maybe two trick because I’m open play with a fractured defence he is potent too. But his tactical awareness, tactical kicking (he has a big boot but doesn’t use it smartly or nearly enough), tacitical defensive reads, these are all lacking. The other 2 at the back need to do more to cover his mistakes, or things like the chip over the top try become more common place. It’s a tough position for Cheika, he can’t afford not to have his attacking skills, but can he afford the weak ness too. Much like Beale, brilliant on attack but how many points does his defender cost you?
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
No, Because Thorn (and many successful coaches) recognize the need for defense in a modern rugby game.
double agent
Guest
I agree with some of what you say Baz but he's not slow to the breakdown.
double agent
Guest
I don't remember the ruck in question but usually the reason a 9 is not at a ruck - especially an uber fit machine like Phipps - is because they've been unavoidably detained.
double agent
Guest
Dave J I can tell you right now that no halfback in Sydney of Phipps age ever kicked a football in a game. Maybe Nick White but he's not from Sydney. Ball in hand has been the mantra for decades in Sydney Rugby both in club and school footy.
double agent
Guest
I can guarantee you 100% the only reason Phipps does box kicks is because he's been told to do.
Marlin
Guest
He’s right about the Cow though and Foley is the same for me - does some great things esp when he runs it but my goodness he sometimes looks like a 16c player - doesn’t find touch when he should, does find touch when he shouldn’t - restarts that don’t go 10 or way too long - he drives me mad
Jameswm
Guest
Forget Wyles - Imagine if they had Lyles on the wing.
Jameswm
Guest
Agreed but Maddocks ahead of Banks.
Jameswm
Guest
Right over their head...