It was a simple statement yet it summed up the Bob Templeton Cup match between NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds on Friday night at Leichhardt Oval.
Coming off the field at half-time following a frenetic, physical and surprisingly skilful first 40 minutes, a sodden and steaming Waratahs hooker Dave Porecki told TV man Sean Maloney: “It’s a proper rugby match, isn’t it.”
It wasn’t a question. And it certainly was. It was a proper derby game, too. It was passionate, physical, niggly.
Defence was ascendant, but only just. It was all men could do to hang on.
In the end it was hard to separate the teams. But Queensland’s defensive effort and commitment, and ability to take their chances, saw them beat NSW 20-16.
If anything, the Waratahs – who didn’t win a game in 2021 and played this one without their champion flanker, Michael Hooper – were the better team against last year’s local premiers.
In terms of possession and territory, NSW had the numbers. They ran and ran, and Queensland threw themselves at mobile bodies.
“We were lucky,” Reds No.10 James O’Connor said afterwards. “They were very good, NSW. They were very physical.”
Yet Queensland’s defensive commitment, effort and heart held firm against multiple barrages.
It was that sort of game – physical and fast, and surprisingly so given the monsoonal rain that had drenched Sydney in the previous 72 hours.
It was as if expectation of a damp squib had amped up the good stuff.
It was like the dud stuff was forgiven, was the normal. Any ‘play’ appreciated.
“It’s the best interstate game I’ve seen in a long time,” Michael Chieka enthused.
Even the number of people strewn across the hill in raincoats seemed pretty good, given the airborne sea.
Everyone was entertained, anyway.
Consider the 48th minute, a microcosm of the match: the Waratahs went right, multiple men in motion, a run-around fed the fullback who hit a hole who drew for the winger who made a hot-footed run that went several ways.
The ball went out the back, through the hands, forwards and backs before a harbour bridge pass found the other winger tearing for the corner before he was rumbled over the line inches from the corner post.
And there followed a fight. And just about everyone got involved.
And we knew: it is on. This is what 10-all in a derby game looks like.
With 20 minutes to go, a well-struck, 35-metre field goal by Ben Donaldson – who had an up and down game – gave NSW a 16-13 lead.
Queensland replacement lock Ryan Smith then bashed over from centimetres after his teammates had tried the same route nine times.
O’Connor’s conversion from in front made it 20-16 his side’s way.
His opposite number, Donaldson, went off. In the micro-story of young bull versus old, O’Connor got the points.
Queensland were flying out of the line but NSW were good enough to throw it wide.
Izaia Perese, who had a stormer in the first half, threw a peach of a pass wide, floating, under pressure, to winger Dylan Pietsch.
James Turner was strong and did little things right. He was relatively safe under the high ball, and the Tahs came and came again.
Several waves of high-skilled wet weather rugby, long floating passes, Turner and Perese involved. The latter crashed over but O’Connor and Tate McDermott held him up.
There was a fine screaming run down the right by Perese after he’d hit and spun out of Filipo Daugunu’s flying attempt to cut him in half.
In the 27th minute O’Connor ran a super-skinny blind and somehow fed Daugunu who hared down the left. The Waratahs took the ball at the breakdown and advanced the same distance back the other way.
Then: sublime skill from O’Connor – a pin-point bunted punt to a flying Jordan Petaia saw the Reds cross the stripe for a fine five-pointer.
It was their first bit of pressure in the Tahs’ D-Zone and the experienced fly-half made it count.
The Waratahs turned down a gimme three points for a scrum. The lack of Taniela Tupou a factor.
Earlier, If you’d tuned into the Stan Sport coverage in the short minutes to kick-off, you’d have seen the news: Tupou in the Queensland huddle in his underpants.
We were told he’d done his back in the warm-up. At half-time Tupou told us he’d been in doubt since Tuesday.
Regardless, the Tahs took the scrum. It didn’t come off. So they took a shot from 35m out which Donaldson hooked badly.
The second time they went for the scrum: pay dirt. No.8 Will Harris picked up the ball McDermott made him drop and crashed over to score.
The Waratahs stole a lineout and Angus Bell made a hard charge from the back. With a head of steam he ripped off half a goose step and charged into the fray like a charging rhino, dynamic, nimble on his feet. Top stuff.
McDermott was penalised for not letting go – there was no-one behind him after the Tahs had stuffed the Reds scrum.
This time Jake Gordon didn’t turn down the three points in front.
McDermott went off the field with what looked an ankle injury, not to return.
Yet with their captain off and their best player in his gym shorts, Queensland held on for a deserved victory.
And yes – it was a proper game of rugby.
Noodles
Roar Rookie
You are a generous man Catchy.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“ And I have not previously been a QC fan” I forgive you Noodles.
Noodles
Roar Rookie
Totally agree Catchy. I am stuck on QC 2020 model until we one of these youngsters finds the groove. (And I have not previously been a QC fan.)
scrum
Roar Rookie
No it’s not. The English club rugby, 6 Nations, Japanese Rugby, the Currie Cup, and Nz NPC.
GIGS20
Roar Rookie
If I was picking the Wallabies team this week I'd pick both Valetini and Wilson and find which one plays 6 best. At best Harris is fighting it out with Anstee for the bench but there's an argument that they're both behind Fergus Lee Warner who is currently looking like the country's next Scott Fardy.
GIGS20
Roar Rookie
I think most of the crap is repeats of stuff they bought years ago isn't it?
GIGS20
Roar Rookie
THe concern is how will they cope with the Brumbies a week after losing to the Reds. Tahs have always been great on paper, but their top 6 inches has mainly been the cause of their issues (i include the top 6 inches for their Selectors, their contract negotiators, their coaches) I'm going to be really interested to see how they bounce back and face, what looks at the moment to be a bigger challenge.
Mirt
Roar Rookie
I missed that soapit
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Such things astound me too Andy. Protecting their NRL partner’s market?
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Well, Fox had Marto for more than a decade to balance the inanity of Kearns. Time to lose the chip. Stan hires Horan and he’s immediately accused of being a NSW stooge
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
You need to start explaining your comments. They make no sense.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
And that’s sad
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Very happy actually.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
You’re quite sad
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
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Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Remove the tin hat for a moment. It was a cracking match and both sides should be proud
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
No need to reinforce your knob status. Harris was good, better than Wilson. I don’t think that means he deserves a spot with the Wallabies but it means Wilson needs to be aware he’s not to the manor born and there are other options
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Seriously? A visit to an optometrist is in order
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
He did. Wouldn’t have happened last year. Great to see Wilson has a challenge to overcome
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
The quality in H1 was incredible. Fatigue and the conditions made it less so on H2 but I’m massively encouraged