There was no justice in Bernard Foley missing a regulation penalty 30 metres out that would have won the Super Rugby opening round against the Hurricanes at Brookvale on Saturday night.
The house full sign was up with 17,111 right behind the men in blue, and that penalty would have been a deserved reward with a 22-20 scoreline.
But the record book will show 20-19 to the visitors, and Foley’s kicking stat of five from six, missing the easiest one.
Bernard Foley of the Waratahs misses a conversion attempt during the round one Super Rugby match between the Waratahs and the Hurricanes at Brookvale Oval on February 16, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
The positives?
The Waratah scrum held up for most of the game, even when two rookie props in 24-year-old Chris Talakai at 180 cms and 118 kgs, debuted with another 24-year-old in Rory O’Connor at 183 cms, and 115 kgs.
Talakai was penalised in his first two scrums for hitting early, but with O’Connor was responsible for the scrum penalty Foley missed.
So the two rookies more than survived their rugged baptism.
The defence was a vast improvement on the last couple of seasons, especially in the last quarter when the Hurricanes owned the ball – the Waratahs tackled their hearts out.
One of the biggest positives was halfback Jake Gordon.
He was a huge improvement on Nick Phipps with Gordon very swift and accurate in getting the ball away from set and broken play.
That the Waratahs only scored one try just after halftime certainly wasn’t Gordon’s fault.
That try was thanks to Israel Folau’s superb pick-up on his ankles, and the perfect pass to winger Curtis Rona to score in the left-hand corner.
On the debit side there were two other Folau passes that went begging with the Waratahs on attack, but his very presence over the next four years will be a huge bonus once Kurtley Beale returns.
Karmichael Hunt was another positive.
There’s no x-factor about him, just sheer brute strength in both attack and defence – he is a runaway bullock.
Once Beale is back with his x-factor, and Hunt is outside him with Folau hovering, the Waratahs wingers will have a picnic.
Kurtley Beale of the Waratahs. (AAP Image/Jeremy Ng)
That means outside-centre Adam Ashley-Cooper – who will be 35 next month and is playing like it – will be bench bound.
The other negative is reserve hooker Tolu Latu, who has become a waste of space.
One of these days he’ll react with thought, instead of simply being a loose cannon.
The number of times he’s penalised for not releasing, or lying all over the ball, must be matched with his lineout feeding that cost the Waratahs dearly last night.
With the Waratahs on attack, and desperately needing to win their own feed, Latu gift-wrapped the last three lineouts of the game to the Hurricanes to relieve their pressure.
Inexcusable – and a sackable offence.
But from head-coach Daryl Gibson’s point of view, improve the negatives, but feed off the positives.
Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson. (AAP Image/ David Rowland)
Leading 12-10 at the break despite a paltry 38 per cent possession, and an even worse 36 per cent territory, were major positives.
Sure all the points came from Foley’s boot, but the Waratahs had to get within range with no ball, nor territory, for Foley to strut his stuff.
It’s just a damn shame he didn’t strut at the death.
jeznez
Roar Guru
The red head is Harry Johnson-Holmes, 21 year old who debuted last year. I thought he and Holloway were the pick of the Tah forwards. Rory O'Connor was off the bench.
Comrade Bear
Roar Rookie
Was O'Conner the ginga-prop? I thought he had a great game on debut. Back row was in-effective and for me probably the main differentiator between the two teams. Good game overall.
Kiwikrs
Roar Rookie
For the wallabies would you play Kerevi at 12? Personally I would with Hunt at 13. Why not trial Hunt at 13 now in preparation?
Ed
Guest
David would then class Brett's article today in the 'bag Beale contingent'.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Yeah, it would be interesting to see whether he could bring that same ability when playing back-row. Here is a hypothetical, what if the Wallabies played: 4. Rodda, 5. Holloway, 6. Jones I know Jones is playing lock, but he is fast enough to play 6 and is really capable of playing both. Holloway plays lock, but in doing so plays more like a back-rower. Is that too crazy to suggest?
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
I would stick with Hunt over Beale. You can work on improvement if you have structure, you cant work on improvement with an ad-lib player.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“ I know who’d i’d rather have.” Barabas?
Barabbus
Guest
What a predictable end. Foley yet again showed he can’t be relied on. Compare to Cooper who put in an all-round performance after two years in the wilderness. I know who’d i’d rather have.
DC NZ
Guest
Thought the Canes stepped up the intensity in the last 20, buoyed by Coles coming onto the pitch along with the debutant sub Kirifi, who scored the match winner after monstering the Tahs in the mail. Savea, Laumape, Perenara showed their class. Yes Foley missed a sitter but Lam also nearly scored and Savea had a try disallowed. Tahs had enough ball but couldn’t muscle over with a killer blow.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Seems to have really hit his straps in Super Rugby since solely playing lock...
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Holloway was excellent. Really excited for him.
Tony H
Roar Pro
Plus giving up a turnover to TJP running back down the sideline instead of kicking. Folau really is rubbish at anything other than catching and running. He's brilliant at those, but his Rugby IQ is about level with Matt Dunning's.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
How is pointing out Beale’s defensive frailties and the fact he runs sideways ‘the bag Beale contingent’?
The Crow Flies Backwards
Roar Rookie
Hannigan was strong? On the nose maybe
The Crow Flies Backwards
Roar Rookie
What kind of songs does Izzy sing?
Stin
Roar Rookie
Yes to that Fionn. Re Folau’s passing... I’d accept an old style end over end “fling” pass from him. Surely it’s at least worth having a go.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I would leave Hunt at 12. He had the thrust with the ball in hand and defended well. I wouldn't put him in a new spot at 13 for same reason I wouldn't play Beale there. I would play Beale at 15 and Izzy on the wing. We have Foketi, Newsome or Rona to play at 13. Latu has to go. The hooker's roile is to win his scrums and his lineout throwing. Scrummaging OK but lineout work can be poor and he has a discipline problem. I'd leave Fitzpatrick there and blood a new hooker for the bench.
mjseesred
Roar Rookie
I would agree to Beales skills and abilities. For me the reason you argued for him being closer to the game is the same reason I would argue he is better at the back. Especially when you have hunt at 2nd 5 who is a stronger defender, runs harder and still the soft hands. Some of his touches last year for Brisbane city were gorgeous.
Nick Turnbull
Roar Guru
Jed Holloway played well, was best on ground for the Waratahs.
jeznez
Roar Guru
There is a G Robinson article today where Folau is quoted saying that despite his preference to be at FB he'll happily move to the wing to accomodate Hunt and Beale both starting. Same article advises that AAC is undergoing concussion protocols and while stating they don't know how Gibson will react floats a Hunt/Rona midfield with Foketi likely over his hamstring strain added to the bench.