Another sudden death Super Rugby quarter-final. Another ‘brave’ but ultimately outclassed Australian side losing to a Kiwi one. And another game in which the score probably didn’t represent the competitiveness of the contest.
Like the Reds against the Crusaders, the Waratahs didn’t lose any fans with their effort against the Chiefs in Hamilton. Yet, ultimately, handling errors (15) and missed goals (3) saw the Tahs go down fighting with an unflattering 39-15 scoreline.
The Waratahs made critical errors at critical times – including running the ball sideways while within their 22 and numerically out-numbered – while the Chiefs were patient and cool, and made them pay with typically clinical counter-attack.
Tahs captain Jake Gordon told Stan Sport the Chiefs were ‘exceptional’ on counter.
“Credit to the Chiefs, they’re a classy outfit and they had the wood on us all year,” Gordon said.
“They’re really hard to contain with front-foot ball and they really punish you for your mistakes.
“I’m proud of our guys though. It was a big year for the club and the franchise and there’s plenty of growth left in us. Next year should be pretty exciting with our colts a year older and more experienced.
Chiefs captain Brad Weber, who scored two tries, said the win was ‘incredibly satisfying’.
“I’ve been here nine years and it’s the first home final we’ve played. It was pretty cool to see all the fans here and we’re very pleased we could put on a show,” Weber said.
It was an odd enough show, at times quite entertaining, at others a grinding bore.
A beautiful play in the seventh minute was an example of the former – a long lineout throw by Samisoni Taukei’aho went over the back straight to the five-eighth, Bryan Gatland, who turned and threw a tasty ball back to Weber on the loop. The halfback scythed through a hole and burned them all to go under the posts.
The Tahs hit back. Angus Ball and Ned Hanigan made hard charges before a quality grubber from Lalakai Foketi bounced for Dylan Pietsch, who leapt over in the corner.
Tane Edmed curled in the conversion from the paint.
And the visitors kept on coming, Mark Nawaqanitawase tearing down the left. Penalties came – and their period of dominance was rewarded when Edmed kicked a goal and squared it up 10-all after 20 minutes.
But the Chiefs didn’t take long to respond. Luke Jacobson, in for injured All Blacks flanker Sam Cane, spat out of a rolling maul.
Ben Donaldson was hammered by Brodie Retallick, back from Japan. Pressure again begat a penalty for the Tahs – but Edmed hooked the shot from in front.
Turning point? It was written in these e-pages.
Pietsch won a turnover at the ruck – a winger, that never used to be a thing.
Then: disaster. The Waratahs chanced their arm well inside their 22, Donaldson went to Edmed, who ran a 45-degree angle and fired a dud pass wide. The bouncing ball was toed through and plunged upon by Alex Nankivell.
Fair enough to have a crack – but make sure you have an overlap, not the other way around.
The conversion made it 24-10. Nek minnit, as they say, the Chiefs took the points instead of going for it with a five-metre scrum.
At half-time it was 27-15 when it could’ve, should’ve, would’ve been closer… had Edmed landed the goal, and a few other things happened. As it stood, Darren Coleman had some motivating to do.
Yet it’s clear the 49-year-old Shute Shield wunderkind has some special sauce. Foketi sent Will Harris away down the right. Soon enough Harris was away again when a ball was spilled and Michael Hooper fed the long-striding No.8, who ran 50 metres to score.
Then, for the next 15 minutes, the game turned to mush, before the Chiefs killed it once and for all. Weber scored after a pass more forward than Fonzie in a nightclub before Pita Gus Sowakula plunged over from one metre out.
And that, as they say, was that.
One wonders when Australian rugby players will get sick of being ‘brave’ and work out what to do to beat the clinical, counter-attacking cousins from across the ditch.
dazell
Roar Rookie
Pietsch on the wing was far from awful and Mark N. was pretty good as well. I don't think Donaldson is working out at Fullback and Newsome should probably be playing there. Ryan on the other hand...... is he signed for next season?
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Ozinsa if you look at the try you will see that when the Chiefs player kicks the ball ahead QT is tripped up by the 15 for the Tahs whilst he was lying on the ground. That is the reason QT reacted that way. Right or wrong Qt clearly felt aggrieved by that and made sure the Tahs 15 knew it hadnt worked. Apology for saying I make stuff up will be welcomed but wont be expected.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I contemplated engaging but you're simply going to make stuff up to continue your side of the discussion so I am leaving it here. I think winding guys up by patting them on the head and getting in their face after an error is really poor form, from whatever country they come or play. We actually agree on that I think. The difference is that I think the Chiefs guy pulled as bad a version of it as I've seen and I don't think the Tahs did it at all. Meanwhile, you make stuff up to create a different narrative
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Well watch the game again and its you who is the liar and when you say rubbish like this your credibility suffers.....
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Exactly Jacko… lost by more than reds did to a much weaker team. Where are the calls for a new coach and how bad everyone played?
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Gordon, Bell and Hooper was good… rest of the forwards not so much and that is why the 10-15 looked so poor. HgH was below is standard this year and it hurt them a lot. Even Charlie Gamble was missing in action tonight which was very unlike him this season.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Holloway did alright. Hannigan made 0 impact in contact and around the ruck and maul. HGH had his worst game in a long while.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Tahs are terrible lost by over 20 points to a terrible NZ team. Fire the coach and none of them deserve wallabies positions. Oh wait… I’m sorry we only reserve that level of chat for the Reds.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I’ve just looked and you’re lying again Jacko. It simply didn’t happen. No Tah player rubbed the hair of a Chief player. One may have accidentally touched, and I mean just touched, Retallic as he was getting to Peach to congratulate him. Absolutely nothing like the knob jumping in front of and rubbing head of Donaldson. When you say stuff that is obviously false, your credibility suffers
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I didn’t see it Jacko. It’s a terrible look and should be called out. I’ll rerun the video and check
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I genuinely did not see any Tah player carrying on like that. If I did, I would call them out. It’s a terrible look. There, that better?
Warwick Todd
Guest
The cow bells are an orchestra instrument in Deliverence country. However playing the Once were Warriors theme song, Whats the time Mr. Wolf during stoppages is particulary disturbing.
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
I actually really think you fellas on here must of played in some pretty sterile teams etc , if it never happened when you played or you didn't indulge in the odd sledge, hold someone back off the ball, pat on the back when someone stuffed up, just to get reaction? Hell I would always someone gave me a headrub or something than mouthed off from a distance as I was close enough to sort it out (if I wanted to risk the refs wrath). I bet if I watch almost any game on tv last night and looked for it I would find something similar.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
No they just allowed all blatant shoulder charges by the Chiefs and only pulled up blatant Tahs ones. Thats why hosting is crucial as thats the laws.....
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Youd be calling for a new coach after that loss for sure!!!
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yep the Tahs goal kicking could have applied way more pressure if it had been accurate.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Sook. Look at what your own players did. I dont enjoy seeing it from a Chiefs player anymore than I liked watching the Tahs do it.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Well if thats the case can we smash the Tahs players who did that after the first Tahs try too please. Viewing 1 side only again eh Ozinsa!
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I’d like him smashed legally, yes
Paulo
Roar Rookie
“ Bad enough visitors have the… …booing when kicking at goal.” This happened in every game this weekend. Pretty poor crowd behaviour from all four games. We should demand better. Even booing when TJ ran out for his 150th game before the match even started. Also, while his behaviour was poor in that moment, do you actually want him ‘smashed’? He should have crept his hands to himself and just said, ‘one more year boys, one more year’.