The NSW Waratahs have endured a winless Super Rugby season for the first time after falling 40-7 to the Chiefs in Sydney.
Winger Sean Wainui bagged five tries as the Chiefs consigned the Waratahs to an unprecedented winless campaign with a record-extending 13th straight defeat on Saturday night.
A dislocated shoulder to classy centre Izaia Perese only compounded the Tahs’ woes and provided a selection headache for Wallabies coach Dave Rennie in the process.
Far and away the Waratahs’ best performer this year, Perese would almost certainly have been named in Rennie’s squad on Sunday for the looming three-Test series with France.
But the powerhouse midfielder came off a sorry second-best after a late first-half tackle on Chiefs opposite number Alex Nankivell.
“It (the tackle) didn’t have to be made,” former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said during commentary on Stan.
“We saw it previously in some of the clips – Izzy Perese going in making tackles he doesn’t need to.
“And if you see it, he’s looking for the big contact – no grip, no arm around – so it’s really unfortunate because’s been very talismanic.
“He’s made some great breaks tonight even for the Tahs. Very disappointing.”
While tossing up the likes of Hunter Paisami or moving Matt Toomua into the centres, Australia’s two-time World Cup-winner Tim Horan urged Rennie to blood 22-year-old Brumbies Len Ikitau instead.
“I actually think you need to start looking to the future,” Horan said.
“You know what Matt Toomua can do. I think you put the young kids in and give them a crack early on.”
As they have been in many other games this year, the Waratahs were gritty against a Chiefs outfit also out of finals contention.
The youthful Tahs showed a glimpse of their promise when fullback Mark Nawaqanitawase soared high to reel in a well-placed cross-field bomb from flyhalf Will Harrison just before halftime.
Their lone try reduced the deficit to 14-7.
But two more tries after the break to Wainui, followed by the Chiefs’ fifth try through replacement Tom Florence, sealed the Waratahs’ fate.
Back-rower Lachie Swinton faces a possible suspension and omission from the French series after being red-carded late on for a careless tackle on Chiefs flanker Lachlan Boshier.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Dr Objective, it is my professional opinion that those who are quick to assess the sanity, or lack thereof, of those they disagree with on a single anonymous blog post may be more patient than physician. I say ‘may’ because I cannot be sure without a full assessment at my clinic. I’m booked out with other patients atm, so I am sorry that I can’t fit you in. But in the meantime, while awaiting treatment please consider what is inside you that made you think of ‘therapy’ when someone wrote something that you didn’t like. Which are your triggers? ‘Polite clapping’? ‘Eastern crowd’? Just so you know, I have played, live and even coach on one of eastern edges of Sydney. I once lived 5 minutes from sfs., for about 10 years. But anyway, for the good of the code, I believe that the Tahs need to get out of Moore Park and engage assertively with western Sydney and the Nsw regions. And part of the problem I see is the Moore Park bubble, close to Randwick, Uni and Mosman with its 27 subbies grades. ‘What rugby vacuum?’ can be heard echoing across Rawson Oval. Look inside OO. The answer may lie within. Therapy! Of course I need therapy. You don’t know the half of it. :silly:
Objective Observer
Roar Rookie
No - I don’t have stats for the suburbs of the crowds at the SFS over the years (as you don’t either) but there always seems to be a large contingent from the North Shore, with a mix from the rest of Sydney (some from the East) and rural NSW. I just don’t get why you would want to bag rugby fans that turn up to games (Even those from the east)? So yes, therapy required.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
The objective part of your moniker may be a work in progress? Therapy?
Objective Observer
Roar Rookie
I was very careful not to take a side, but I accept many take your view. Yes - add to that that the ACT is not a market, or a player base.
Objective Observer
Roar Rookie
Yes, it is the home ground and it is being rebuilt. I understand the issue many rugby fans have with the “history” of the administration that came out of NSW Rugby but every team must have a home ground. That does not mean you don’t play elsewhere and the Tah’s have done that, particularly with pre-season games for years. I am unsure about the cause of your issue with the “eastern crowd” but there are probably years of therapy there.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco has been playing in Japan for the last few years. Not the Shute Shield. Thought he looked good btw and hopefully will thrive next year. The Tahs need a few good second rowers and a quality tighthead.
Guess
Roar Rookie
Does he read the roar? :laughing:
Guess
Roar Rookie
Young squad without leaders is uncoordinated and disorganized.. nice observation
Guess
Roar Rookie
Cause I don't want them to :silly: Why on earth everyone should be big? Let nz be the best and the biggest. Otherwise yes, wanna win against NZ replace all Aussies with bigger pi players and call it Australian rugby...
Guess
Roar Rookie
8 from shute shield was decent this weekend. If brums had a squad of rookies they'd get trashed too
Guess
Roar Rookie
Personally I’m fine with that they don’t go for islanders. I don’t want the Tahs getting bigger. I’d rather them lose against NZ teams or ideally not play against them at all… Only if they win domestic comp maybe lol But I think that’s exactly what they’re planning to do next year judging by coaches comments… path of least resistance meh
Guess
Roar Rookie
And?
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I think Ennor had a moment to forget too. Realistically, 3 tries at least went begging. Plus a few conversions. The game was there for the Crusaders, they just couldn't convert enough, and let in too many points for the Rebels. Always next year.
Faith
Roar Rookie
I guess the Saders decided awhile back to stop playing serious defence ... that said they looked on the money for 33pt gap till Jordan was yellow carded. He had a game to forget ...
Faith
Roar Rookie
Why can't Aus rugby have a 5 tam provincial comp to retain the gains of SR AU but put together 3 teams for TT. I guess more cash for 5 teams esp for broadcasters even if they are losing ...
Faith
Roar Rookie
The losses (2) and the almosts - Ponies at Saders draw (for kiwis that would be a loss anyway) and Force against Chiefs. Reds beat a 13 man Chiefs so luck played a role. Jordie had an off day for the Brumbies to win. Yup - very lucky to even have those two wins but to be fair also unlucky to not win in the almosts. Not having JOC in Blues game for the Reds was unlucky. But this last round also showed that Kiwi sides took gas off the pedal in Week 4 - the idea of Aussie improvement was a mirage and the Clan win against the Ponies showed this. Very impressive. The two best teams in this comp are in the Final - won all their games hands down. Saders let in too many points, showed poor team management and arguably disrespected the comp by not spreading their rests taking of all their ABs against Force. Chiefs were unlucky - or DMac was otherwise they would be in the running. Also, notably, Blues had a great schedule ... taking on weakest teams to settle in ...
well I want the reffing to be the same by all refs across all comps. Maybe Im asking way to much...In fact Im clearly asking way to much :laughing:
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
Talking about next year and what Australia needs to do. And read my original post... ”They may not win more, but the scores will be closer.” About forcing the Australian teams to play a more uptempo style. To try and match the kiwi teams. The only mention of officiating was my opinion that if the Australian officials are really harsh on the breakdown they will penalise the kiwi teams off the park, this means next year.
Rebels were selfish...nothing less...Other teams had to give up home games because of their failure to get out of Melbourne before the shutdown even tho they had been given plenty of notice costing the Highlanders a Sell out in Queenstown and the Chiefs a home game.
Sure.....NZ teams only win because of reffing eh? Sounds like desperation to me. 23-2 type of desperation...