The final five minutes of the Waratahs’ opening Super Rugby fixture against the Hurricanes felt inevitable and worryingly familiar.
The sequence of events may have been comical had it not been so painful.
Concerningly, this mirco sequence is indicative of a macro pattern that has plagued NSW.
Having just conceded a try to replacement backrower Du’Plessis Kirifi, after a period of sustained territorial and possessive pressure, the Tahs won the ball back immediately off their own kick-off with an exceptional display of counter rucking.
Players identified an opportunity and drove over the ball, allowing the support to win possession rather than use their hands and concede a match-ending penalty.
From the next phase, 30 metres out with just under four minutes remaining, Tolu Latu dropped a sitter from Jake Gordon.
The Waratahs’ scrum was under pressure all night, conceding multiple penalties, yet somehow the shove came and Angus Gardner awarded a penalty to the home side.
You might expect most supporters would have backed Bernard Foley to slot the 78th minute penalty – he has done it in big moments before for both club and country – however, being a Tahs supporter means preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.
Despite having kicked five from five on the night to that point, and plenty of evidence to support his big-kick credentials, the miss came as no surprise.
Bernard Foley (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
With 40 seconds remaining, Jordie Barrett unleasheed a monster dropout, which Curtis Rona allowed to cross the touchline for a Waratahs lineout 30 metres out from their own line (in his defence, Rona appeared to think the ball would carry into touch on the full and arguably leaving the kick was worth the risk).
At the lineout, Latu – despite his many throwing woes – perfectly hit Jed Holloway at the back, and the Waratahs executed a few good phases. The energy and intent at the breakdown was superb, the type that limits your turnovers.
However, after no more than three phases, the Waratahs ran out of ideas and found themselves losing metres. One-out running, zero organisation and aimless shovel passing saw the Tahs on their own five-metre line as Israel Folau decided the only option, in a two-on-four situation, was a slow, looping pass to Adam Ashely-Cooper – who almost went into touch trying to catch the ball.
Once safely inbounds, Ashley-Cooper was swarmed by three defenders and only one support player, before more men in blue arrived and saved possession.
The next phase, Karmichael Hunt caught the ball at first receiver, beat a defender and for the first time in six phases, the Tahs were over the gain line.
Supporters endured two more ineffective phases, with the players clearly clueless as to what to do, before Foley was caught by the defence on his own.
Four Hurricanes players dove into the ruck, with only Hunt in support, as tired Waratahs players jogged to the breakdown, resigned to the fact the game was over.
As the Canes pile in, they make one mistake – their are hands in the ruck, handing their opponents a lifeline. Foley sliced off 35 metres and Latu again nails the throw in, this time to Hanigan. Still in the air, Isaia Walker-Leawere throws his arms around Hanigan’s shoulder and neck, seeing Gardner immediately award another penalty.
Foley takes another 30 metres, Latu again nails the throw, Hanigan easily beats his opposite into the air, but the ball slips through his hands, dropping into the breadbasket of Ben May, who passes to Dan Coles, who ends the game by booting the ball into touch.
The Hurricanes did about all they could to gift this one to the Waratahs, only outmatched by the latter’s incompetence.
Hunt was a rare bright spot and he will add a lot to this team. It will be fascinating to see the potential of this backline once Beale returns, with Hunt best at 12 – his straight, physical running and hard-hitting defence are major assets in that position.
Beale should go to fullback, with Folau to the wing, which can unlock all of their potential.
On the other hand, it was really bad. The opposition were missing talismanic playmaker Beauden Barrett, as well as being below the standard they would expect of themselves. In 2018, the Hurricanes scored 4.5 tries per game, carried for 497 metres and beat 25 defenders. On the weekend, they scored two tries, carried for 260 metres and beat only 20 defenders.
There was no better time to chalk up a rare win against a Kiwi team – it is unlikely the Waratahs will get another chance like that this year.
There are too many passengers in sky blue. Ned Hanigan is not a competent Super Rugby player, Tolu Latu undermines his potential with ill discipline, and the scrum is poor. The team seems to lack an identity and gameplan.
Fortunately, no other Australian team is likely to rattle off wins against the teams from across the ditch, so when it comes down to the Australian conference, the losing bonus point is likely not a bad outcome.
It’s all really quite sad.
Brizvegas
Guest
The Tahs at home v a Canes team without a number of stars.How many Wallabies are in this Tahs team and yet still get beaten. Not good.
Slats
Roar Rookie
I am intrigued by the Reds... On paper they look like htey will struggle, but what is the "Thorne" factor going to be? And apologies - the Tahs DO play!
Hunters
Roar Rookie
Look, you’d be silly to say Hannigan is the best player. But I think he takes too much blame. The comments immediately above feel right. He was reliable at lineout and provides great support offensively and defensively at full pace from start to finish. Maybe a few stats on made and missed tackles, etc would be more accurate than our subjective opinions.
Hunters
Roar Rookie
terrykidd
Roar Pro
The scrum is poor? In what way? Yes there were some penalties or short arm decisions for early engagement but generally the scrum was solid and assured. I agree Tolu Latu is currently a liability. He radically and rapidly needs to improve both his discipline and throwing. I disagree with your comments about Hanigan. The guy has an engine where he goes and goes for 80 minutes. He is an assured lineout target. He gets thru a ton of defensive work and is always on hand to carry. Granted he is not the biggest bloke and does not hit like a steam train but he makes his tackles and invariably makes the gain line. I agree that the attack looked a bit lost at times but I reckon that will develop just as the improved defence has developed, remember it was the first time Foley and Hunt had linked in that 10-12 channel. While Hunt did well carrying and tackling I would like to see more organizing from him when Foley is not in position to do it. However, Foley also needs to be quicker to talk and call the plays. Work in progress I reckon.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes they're pushing back on the time they have to take off as well. Good healthy push and pull I reckon. Keeps everyone on their toes. If the players want to play, hey know themselves better than anyone. I think Hansen expects a bit of that.
Don
Roar Rookie
Much depends on when the ABs players are rested. If the Reds were to get an NZ side at home at the right time I’d back them. If Barrett plays that game against the Tahs on Saturday night the boys in blue would have been done by about 10.
Don
Roar Rookie
Exactly. When you’ve got Foley and Beale inside you there’s a greater chance as an outside centre that you will be trying to stop the opposition 12 or 15 and an extra man rather than mark up against your 13 because the inside men have done their job.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
If Rona was deemed good enough to play there last year with a non-tackling 12 like Beale inside of him, I don't see why he wouldn't be good enough to play there with another year of experience, and with a stronger defender inside of him. Which seems more defensively robust 12. Hunt, 13. One or 12. Beale, 13. Hunt? I know which I would rather have.
mania
Guest
hard to tell about other teams . but looking at the canes now they arent ready for finals. what we need is for kearns to fatshame the canes to get them into condition.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Judging by the blues performance against the sanders, I’m not even sure the Tahs can beat them. The canes were there for the taking and they couldn’t do it. If the blues keep improving through the season they will be tough in the later stages.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I’m not sure if it’s sad or brilliant that Folau was the best positional and territory kicker for the Tahs. It’s about time he got those legs doing more than jump and run.
Vesi Tagoiagea
Roar Rookie
If Canes is not a contender this year is that mean none of the Aussie team is a contender too
Slats
Roar Rookie
Great article AJ, and a good summary of the pain we Waratahs fans suffer... Although Drew Mitchell put it fairly nicely post game - nobody, but nobody, will be hurting as badly as Bernard Foley post game. But they must have hurt like this after many games, but still make these poor decisions and silly skill errors. One thing I slightly disagree on. I think that both the Rebels and Brumbies have the squads and game plans to potentially pull off wins against NZ teams. It won't be easy, but I saw more believe in both of those teams, not to mention effective and diverse plans, which may score them some wins. But yeah mate - we are not going to see a Canes team play that way again this year... and in front of a pumped Brooky crowd - the Tah's let one slip - for their points, their believe, and their supporters.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
G'day Jez, Izzy Folau obviously has been getting coached in clearing kicks. Since mid SR2018 he has been putting in more clearing kicks for both the Tahs and WB. A couple of his kicks at Brookie went well over 45m on the fly then rolled. One of his 1st kicks he booted it ~18 m from his line and it went over the sideline just before the quarter line of the Canes, that's over a 50 m gain. So refreshing after enduring B.Foley's popguns for so many years.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Rona is too slow to play on the wing. He’s just a 13. Why wouldn’t they move him there? Baffling.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Folau was the Tahs best kicker in general play. Wonder if he could have taken the touch kicks. Fitzpatrick and Simmons will always leave the tight five light on for tight carries
Pablo
Roar Rookie
Latu, I am a fan of his potential, but that doesn't win games, just the reverse, many times his yellow cards, poor crucial throw ins, cost you the game, and I did last saturday. Gibson, for all his NZ game experience, must know, a big kicker, like Jordie Barrett, turns the game, from defense to attack, if Jordie had been given the Waratahs role as the clearing kicker, I suspect the Canes would not have scored those last 2 penalties, to win the game. The back row wasn't so much the issue, but the big ball carries in the tight five.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I think Rona/Foketi for 13 was the option to look at. Leave Hunt at 12, Folau to the wing and Beale at FB. Biggest issue with Rona/Foketi has been question marks on defence but I think they’d be more settled with Hunt inside them than they have been with Beale
PeterK
Roar Guru
IMO the issue is AAC is out injured and they lack a decent 13 replacement. Choices were Folau or Hunt to 13. If Hunt then obviously Beale to 12.