Tonight, Bernard Foley leads a Waratah squad bristling with 12 Wallabies into a Super Rugby sudden-death quarter-final against the Highlanders at Allianz Stadium.
With so many internationals on duty it would be reasonable to assume and expect the Waratahs to win comfortably.
Like hell.
Let’s go back to last weekend, when the same squad was soundly beaten by the Brumbies at the same venue. The Brumbies shot to a 21-3 lead after 21 minutes to lead 26-10 at the break. They then led 40-24 into the shadow of full-time when Waratah flanker Will Miller scored a converted try to make it 40-31.
The Brumbies had a miserable season but saved their best until last to outrun and outscore the Waratahs six tries to four.
George Gregan said the Waratahs had already qualified for the playoffs so there was no urgency. Skipper Foley said his team was out-enthused. Coach Daryl Gibson said the team was sluggish mentally. Benched through injury, Michael Hooper said the team focused too far ahead.
Have the inmates taken over the asylum? All four totally missed the point.
(AAP Image/Jeremy Ng)
Didn’t they do their homework? Qualifying simply wasn’t enough.
Losing to the Brumbies was critical. It cost the Waratahs second spot on the overall ladder to slip to third. That made a huge difference to the playoff draw. As it sits, if the Waratahs beat the Highlanders tonight, they will most likely play the Lions in Johannesburg in the semis.
Had they beaten the Brumbies and finished second on the ladder, the Waratahs would have played the Jaguares at Allianz tonight and the Lions at the same venue in the semis – the perfect scenario, with two home games to reach the final.
But not one of the above quartet made any mention of the huge penalty the Waratahs paid last week by losing to the Brumbies.
It was so bloody obvious that beating the Brumbies was critical, yet no-one recognised its importance. Besides, why was the normal pride and passion missing that should be front and centre every time the Waratahs compete?
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The way the Waratahs played against the Brumbies was the equivalent of tennis players tanking, not trying to win, just going through the motions.
In a word, the Waratahs were an embarrassment last week, not only to their long-suffering fans but also to themselves. If they play like that tonight, the Highlanders will declare at half-time.
Hopefully the penny has dropped, because there are no more chances.
Hopefully, we can expect the dozen Wallabies sporting 422 caps between them to play like internationals and not go hibernating from the kick-off.
Markin
Guest
And yet they did it (yet) again - they do it every second week and they do it when on Wallabies duty. There is something wrong with them - maybe they think they are rock stars (they aren’t)
jeznez
Roar Guru
Hi Cliff - I didn't bother reading David's article as I don't think I have ever enjoyed one of his articles, just came to the comments. I was largely endorsing the comment "Yes Tahs need to lift their game, but thats all they really need to do" Which was what we saw from them in the second half. I don't hold a lot of hope for us in Jo'Burg but for now Yee Ha!!!!
taylorman
Roar Guru
I knew it!?
taylorman
Roar Guru
And so it was?
double agent
Guest
Couldn't hear any sound.
double agent
Guest
He said a swear word. Or made a derogatory comment. I'm not sure.
riddler
Guest
agree ej.. 100% put him away for a good couple of years.. this is not a human thing.. let alone a rugby player thing..
double agent
Guest
He's such a lovely looking man. On appearance I would be convinced he is a gentle giant.
double agent
Guest
Yes agree Kirky. Beale has never been a class player. The Earth is also flat.
double agent
Guest
Beale has definitely punched a team mate. Hasn't gone so far as kidnapping as far as I am aware but the way he played tonight he could be Hannibal Lecter in his spare time for all I care if he plays like that every week!!!
Cynical Play
Guest
Nah. Your a hater. Sad.
double agent
Guest
Whatever Timani said (we'll never know for sure) then the behaviour described in this article is waaay over the top.
Snow Bjelke-Petersen
Guest
Note to self: best behaviour in the presence of the Mafi girls.
Clutch Cargo
Roar Rookie
I’m simply calling bollocks on “no-one other than full blooded Japanese actually get a pp” All Japanese citizens are entitled to a passport. Sure Paul, i'm not in disagreement with you on this. I guess I may be guilty of hyperbolising a little. The point I was trying to make is Japan is a very different proposition to citizenship than say a country like Australia- [Japan is a jus sanguinis state, which means nationality is deferred by blood, not by location of birth. If a baby is born in Japan and either of its parents is a Japanese national, then the baby will have Japanese citizenship. If a child is born to Chinese parents living in Japan, it won’t automatically be granted citizenship.] I'd be interested to know whether Mafi does have citizenship if anyone knows?
Faith
Guest
Tahs won't be worrying too much about Joburg. They need to get thro tricky fixture - they should have this. The Clan's coacing cannot get the kind of grit that has made the Clan a contender for the whole thing. Get Folau and Beale in the game and they should take this ....
Pillu
Guest
Play one game at a time....dont think to much about wen where and who the next opponent will be.go the tahs....win this game first....
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
"...a Waratah squad bristling with 12 Wallabies..." Lines like this get trotted out to explain why the Waratahs should play well. Perhaps it really explains why the Wallabies play poorly.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I have no idea if he's a citizen, nor am I making comment on other controversial situations with respect to Brazilian car workers etc. I'm simply calling bollocks on "no-one other than full blooded Japanese actually get a pp" All Japanese citizens are entitled to a passport.
Clutch Cargo
Roar Rookie
Hi Paul- I can't say definitely that this would be the case, but from my experience living and working there for a fair while, I would be surprised if Mafi has JP citizenship. Do you know this to be the case? I understand he is married/or has JP partner but this doesn't necessarily provide JP citizenship, perhaps at best would be permanent resident. Because he has represented Japan in rugby, maybe this is a special circumstance that might grant him such a privilege that is certainly not given to many... I think you'll find that Japan doesn't follow international law on things like citizen/non citizen rights and immigration- they are a law unto themselves... google the treatment of many generations of Brazilian car workers who were brought in to the work the factories, or Koreans forced into servitude during the war who have since stayed on but denied JP citizenship...
Clutch Cargo
Roar Rookie
Hi NV, well its mostly anecdotal after living working in japan for 5.5 years. I got to meet many second and third gen korean, Chinese and Brazilians who were born in Japan but were denied a JP pp. There may well some exceptions to this but I didn't meet any first hand. Think the best they can hope for is permanent resident - but they still carried a pp of their parents/grand parents mother country (not by choice).