Since Bernard Foley took over the captaincy from the injured Michael Hooper, the Waratahs are looking like a genuine Super Rugby premiership threat.
Last week was a come-from-behind 31-26 win over closest rivals Rebels, and last night a barnstorming 77-25 success over the Sunwolves to clinch the Australian Conference and an automatic qualification into the playoffs.
The 77 points broke the Waratahs’ previous best of 73 against the Kings in 2010 and the 12 tries last night was another record, while the runaway train Taqele Naiyaravoro’s two tries took him to 14 for the season to break Israel Folau’s record of 12.
The knockers will say the Sunwolves were down to 14 men for just over half the game when winger Semesi Masirewa was red carded for dumping Foley head first into the turf, and Fumiaki Tanaka was lucky late in the game to cop a yellow instead of a red for doing likewise to Waratah halfback Jake Gordon.
But the Waratahs could only play what was in front of them, and they have been very impressive.
In the two games Foley has led by example, the Waratahs have scored 108 points to 51, crossing for 16 tries to five.
And it will be tries that will keep the Waratahs in Super Rugby contention.
This team isn’t as big up front as they were in 2014 when they won their only Super Rugby title.
They had locks Will Skelton and Dean Mumm, with a back row of Jacques Potgieter, Wycliff Palu and Dave Dennis.
And the current backline is a better attacking unit, and certainly faster, than the likes of Adam Ashley-Cooper and Rob Horne of four years ago,
Waratah fans will get a better slant on how their troops are faring when they take on the Brumbies in the last of the regulation rounds.
This will be the first time since 2011 that the Brumbies have missed the playoffs as the most consistent of the Australian franchises over the last seven years.
So they will have something to prove next weekend which will give the Waratahs the perfect warm-up for the tough campaign ahead.
And it will feature the head-to-head clash of two of the most exciting fullbacks in the tournament – Israel Folau and Tom Banks.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Folau is the super-star with his supremacy in the aerial battles, his safe hands, deception in full flight, his speed, and try-scoring prowess – another two last night.
But the 24-year-old Banks might just have Folau covered for sheer speed.
We’ll see next weekend if Banks has some room to move. He’s a very exciting prospect who must be included in the Wallaby Bledisloe Cup-Rugby Championship squad.
But first things first, there’s a Super Rugby title to be won, and under Bernard Foley’s leadership, the Waratahs have put their hands up to be counted.
Nate
Guest
I wonder how many guys Folau has jumped higher than, stepped and scored more tries than.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Haha, yeah good one.
Kane
Guest
Yeah I have to give him that
Baz
Guest
hmm. puzzling? Justification?
Fionn
Guest
To be fair to David Lord from memory he doesn't think that Hooper is a great captain either.
Reality Check
Guest
David Lord said July 8th 2018 @ 10:35am " As for Scott “Higgers”, as you call him, he’s never far from a yellow or a red card, hardly captaincy material. " Reverse Wheel said July 8th 2018 @ 10:37am "David has a point there. It’s my only real concern with Higgers." Kane said July 9th 2018 @ 2:04am " But Hooper is the most carded test player in history " But that`s ok i suppose, we`ll overlook history of cards as he is Michael Cheikas favourite player and a Waratah..
jimbo81
Guest
Pocock to Wallabies Captain and starting 7 (let Hooper break from the scrum to defend the mid-field from 8 as it's closer and he isn't attacking the first ruck anyway so makes sense for Pocock to gain the meter advantage from 7). Stewart to start all remaining Wallaby tests from 10. Hodge as backup. Too many close tests lost because of poorly selected cattle. We've identified Foley's limitations, they haven't improved. I've seen enough. Now it's time to go backwards in order to go forwards. Stewart to start and remain Wallaby 10 (and no selecting Foley at 12 either because we've seen that too = disaster!).
Hoy
Roar Guru
Yeah, I was going to say that as well...
Hoy
Roar Guru
Careful...
Jerry
Guest
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, no.
Kane
Roar Guru
But Hooper is the most carded test player in history?
Bodger
Roar Rookie
Yeah agree and I referenced that in my reply. I personally think 9 and 10 isn't a big deal to step up as Captain.
ForwardsWinMatches
Guest
Bodger, if NZ is the benchmark in most things rugby, since David Kirk, not sure they’ve had a 9 or 10 as captain, and barely a back at all (Umaga?). Shelford, Fitzpatrick, Randell, McCaw, Read and now Whitelock. After 91 with NFJ, the trophy has been handed to Pienaar, Eales, Johnson, Smit/Matfield (?), McCaw, McCaw. Ireland, now second best, are also led up front.
Tom
Guest
I presume for the final there would be neutral (probably South African) referees?
cuw
Guest
wonder how many guys have gone around FOLAU? i can recall Ioane , Habana , and an Argie.... now Yamada LOL its really embarrassing when u get beat on the touchline side.
Bodger
Roar Rookie
I think 9 & 10 are the best choice as Captain,.they have to be the big talkers and directing play so giving the little extra authority is good for me. For some reason coaches these days seam to like picking a forward as Captain.
Bodger
Roar Rookie
Hanigan looks like he's bulked up and certainly looks more physically imposing. He can also motor for a guy of his size. Cheika is doing the right thing developing him. Come the world cup we'll have a few decent 6s who can also cover other positions, and their only young so.plenty of years left in them. I'm an eternal optimist and our pack is going pretty well now but with another year under their belt I think we're going to have a very decent pack and depth on the bench.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Thank you, Moa. Some well placed understanding for our countryman, Riddler. A sad bigotry towards a talented and committed rugby player.
Boonzie
Guest
Tahs should have beaten crusaders in their game across the ditch if they tmo was watching like they seem to be since that game. Saying that... Not sure we have a second game like that in us if that ends up the final.
Bodger
Roar Rookie
Foley is our best SR 10 consistently, there isn’t another player playing 10 that is proving otherwise. QC also needs to prove his current worth if folk want to mention him as a possible 10 for the Wallabies. Last WC QC was second choice, folk can argue that but he wasn’t at his best and Foley definitely was the better option and made fewer errors. QC needs to play SR next year, or folk shouldn’t even talk about him as a candidate for the Wallabies as that is just wishful thinking of how good a player was in his prime. I hope QC moves to the Rebels or Brumbies and has a fantastic season, but if he doesn’t and if he isn’t playing for the Reds I don’t see the point even mentioning him any longer.