The NSW Waratahs found another way to win against the Queensland Reds and now must keep fighting to keep their dramatic Super Rugby season alive.
The NSW Waratahs can approach the last throes of the Super Rugby finals scramble with fresh confidence after another scandal failed to sink their title chances.
Tolu Latu’s World Cup selection prospects are in tatters and the Waratahs’ already controversial season took another hit over Rugby Australia’s probe into the hooker for an alleged drink driving offence.
Latu failed to inform the Waratahs of the incident, which threatened to derail their fighting 40-32 win against the Queensland Reds at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
In the wake of Wallabies star Israel Folau’s sacking, the incident was a public embarrassment the club could ill afford as it scrapped to keep its season alive.
Yet thanks to the reliable boot of Bernard Foley, some desperate tryline defence and some late scrum victories against the Reds pack, the Waratahs have moved back to within a win of the top of the Australian conference.
“To get over in a tight one was nice,” captain Michael Hooper said.
“It’s been all too familiar looking up at the clock at 70 minutes and the game’s in the balance. It feels like that for most of our games this year.”
Latu faces an investigation by the code’s Integrity Unit after being charged for an alleged drink driving offence.
The Daily Telegraph reported that the fringe World Cup contender had returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.135 early on Thursday morning.
He was not stood down from the win against the Reds, but Rugby Australia has discretionary powers under its professional players’ code of conduct to sideline the former Wallaby until the investigation is complete.
Amid all the drama, NSW found a way to win despite conceding six tries to four in the interstate clash.
Sekope Kepu drove Reds prop JP Smith back to save a try while winger Cam Clark chased down and burrowed under a tryline-bound Alex Mafi in a sign that what doesn’t kill the side can make them stronger.
And just seconds after missing a tackle to allow a try, halfback Nick Phipps charged down a Bryce Hegarty conversion attempt to save two points.
“It speaks volumes, the desperation of Cam Clark to get back,” coach Daryl Gibson said.
“All year, I’ve said this team fights. It’s a hallmark of this team.
“I wish it didn’t have to all the time. We’ve put ourselves in positions where we’ve had to and of course I’m very proud of that.”
A win at home against the Jaguares next Saturday would give Gibson’s team a shot at topping the Australian conference.
The Reds remain a slim finals chance but fresh injury concerns over Chris Feauai-Sautia (knee), JP Smith (concussion) and Caleb Timu (concussion) could severely weaken their prospects on Friday against the Chiefs.
Garry
Guest
Drinkers aren’t afraid of hell. Wine drinkers would understand that the devil probably has a pretty decent cellar hidden down there. And as for beer drinkers, well it depends if you like top fermented or bottom fermented.
Garry
Guest
Ooofh, three strikes. Go directly to hell, do not pass go, do not collect $200. ......or is it ‘just visiting’?
Bobby
Roar Rookie
How many people did Latus' s stupidity "hurt"? None. Can the same be said for Israel? If you drive pissed and hurt someone the Criminal Code can have stiff penalties .
amband
Roar Rookie
how did you see it Via press/media who made a big deal out of nothing
riddler
Roar Rookie
i am not a follower. don't have twitter. yet i have seen it. so how does that suit your logic? have to stop now. sunday arvo. cricket is on and this will go nowhere.
amband
Roar Rookie
people can block his tweets if they wish. it only goes to his followers
amband
Roar Rookie
exactly. a moral standard being imposed. The hide of them
riddler
Roar Rookie
what? u being serious? you bought up lgbt! u k nob. u ignorant arrogant fo ol. LGBT agendas should be kept private and not forced on others. Agree or not? it is law. thankfully. i am glad i am not your son. you are an embarrassment. nobody is forcing
bandwagoner
Roar Rookie
wtf....pretty straightforward. Don't answer my question with more questions . If you can't answer them, just don't reply. You just look like you are cherry-picking. Don't push your LGBT agendas down my throat, thanks.
riddler
Roar Rookie
same sex marriage is law no? where is your logic on this? where does it say you have to follow the bible in the law?
bandwagoner
Roar Rookie
Religion should be kept private and not forced on to others. Fair enough. LGBT agendas should be kept private and not forced on others. Agree or not? But wait, RA chose a same sex marriage position without consulting the team - isn't that forced on to the Christian Pacific Islanders who form part of the team?
riddler
Roar Rookie
of course his speech has limitations. like mine or yours does. his is hate speech, hiding behind the cloak of religious freedom. as for the ra/aru, i 100% disagree with you. what if he came out saying that all paedos were ok? it is an employee and employer, it is not limited to just work hours. he used his platform to push his agenda. his platform aided by the ra in their employment of him. i played for the aru and various unions, i respected their rules. like i have with my employees since. some people think they are above the rest of us. herein lies the root to most of the world's problems. egomaniacs/narcissists and then the lawyers get involved and try to argue black is white or vice versa. keep religion out of public life and the world would be much a better place!!
amband
Roar Rookie
speech has no limitations unless it is actionable at law, defamation for example. You cannot tell employees what they can say in their own time. IF had no reference to RA on his twitter, no reference to rugger, no reference to Qantas. Nothing If there is a breach, it is to be handles by legislation and the legal system, not by a sports admin God knows why they're employees. We all played for the same union once, grom childhood to adulthood, no one was owned, including test players. I suspect the ARU was changed to RA to make certain changes
riddler
Roar Rookie
Disagree entirely. It has nought to do with free speech. Free speech is not a free for all. It has limitations. Folau bought the game into disrepute. He is an employee. He was warned. That is all indefensible if the contract stipulates it. Part of me wants him to take to the supreme court so the religious bigots can be put back in their box. America has many failings but they nailed it 250 Years ago separating church and state. We have gone backwards since those insightful people. Religion is a choice, it is private and should be kept private. Don't force it onto others. Still amazes me how intelligent people came miss this simple stuff.
amband
Roar Rookie
it is a free speech matter. It is a social issue. If you are so upset about what IF said, you can take out your own private prosecution. I've no problem with that, but it has nought to do with RA, who should not even have such a thing as code of conduct If you had an employee, in their own time, making comments about Africans, and your company was not identified, it's none of yer business
riddler
Roar Rookie
I don't care about the sponsor in the slightest. My 2 issues are: Personal level i find it horrible what he writes and says about gays. Rugby level. He is an employee and had been warned and advised of what is expected of him. If I had an employee who was making comments about people from Africa for eg, I would warn him/her and place it in his/her contract. He does it against he/she goes. This has zero to do with freedom of religion or speech. This is about hate speech and workplace contract.
amband
Roar Rookie
he made a post and he did not involve the game or sponsor it must go to court as the RA decision will have influence on bosses in the workplace and individuals will have their rights to express themselves limited, not by law, but by the firm
riddler
Roar Rookie
Wasn't private. Had been warned. The rest of the people on his list are by choice. I choose to drink etc. I will defend ur right to say the sun is green even though I disagree. I will not defend the right of someone to who vilifies a group of people over something that they have no control of. It is like saying all short people or all bald people will go to hell. Why is this issue so difficult some? As for latu as I have said somewhere else on here. If guilty he should suspendedz if first time offence or chopped. Either is fine for me. 3 issues he crossed for me, not telling the admin, having the keys in the car while in drivers seat while on suspended licence and being drunk in same position. Idio t , arrogant, selfish move on each point.
amband
Roar Rookie
No. I believe the matter is more political. Surely drink drive, an offence against the law, it more serious than a privately made statement about a social issue? He also criticized different classifications of people, but only one person, in one of those groups is moaning
riddler
Roar Rookie
1) failure to report. 2) suspended licence 3) over the limit. that will be the end of him if all proven to be true.