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The Waratahs’ season has gone from bad to worse, as their Good Friday turned into a nightmare.
After three straight defeats by less than three points, the Waratahs suffered a 27-21 loss to the Rebels in Sydney to heap more pressure on their coach Darren Coleman.
Making it even more painful was the manner of the defeat.
After Will Harrison slipped a lovely ball to help Jack Grant score a late try for the home to close the margin to a point, the Waratahs fluffed their lines deep inside their 22-metre line to gift the visitors a five-metre scrum in the final few minutes.
The Rebels eventually made it count, as recruit Filipo Daugunu sealed the deal by scoring out wide in his comeback after making himself unavailable because of an off-field pay dispute with the embattled franchise.
Filipo Daugunu runs in to score the match sealing try against the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium on March 29, 2024, in Sydney. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
But the dramatic finish really wasn’t enough to make up for what was a terrible match, where both sides struggled with their execution on a night where there should have been few excuses given the mild conditions.
In total there were 36 turnovers, while the Waratahs were on the end of a 18-4 penalty count after being smashed at the scrum in the absence of Wallabies prop Angus Bell, who missed the match because of a disc issue.
Yet, the Rebels did little to capitalise on the Waratahs’ scrum issues as they won just 14 of 20 lineouts.
The frustration was written all over Waratahs captain Jake Gordon’s face, as the halfback bemoaned their inability to seize the moment.
“Pretty poor finish,” Gordon said.
“Back and forth throughout the game and once again [we] put ourselves in a position to compete but [we] stuffed up a kick off.”
Asked if there were one or two simple fixes to turn their narrow losses into wins, Gordon admitted something wasn’t right given their inability to eke out a win.
“It’s getting a bit repetitive now,” he said.
“We are competing but we want to be a good team and good teams ice those opportunities.
“We’ve got to review those moments but there’s something’s not working, especially when the heat’s on us so it’s disappointing.”
He added: “We’re shooting ourselves in the foot a little bit. Those close losses get really tough. The last month’s been hard.”
The Waratahs looks dejected after conceding a late try to the Rebels at Allianz Stadium on March 29, 2024, in Sydney. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Coleman, whose days at the Waratahs appear numbered following the ugly loss, took responsibility for the loss.
“That was hard, that was probably the hardest one in my three years here,” the dispirited coach said.
“Just the accumulation of the last three weeks and then that one stung even more because we didn’t play well. You cop the other ones because there were some good patches in there.
“It’s on me. I’m in charge of the group. I’ve got to make sure they know what they’re doing and there were certain times there that they didn’t look like they knew what they were doing.”
In stark contrast, Rebels captain Rob Leota had something to smile about in his 50th match.
“It’s massive for us,” said the Test back-rower. “To come away and win on the road is definitely big. It gives us a lot of confidence ahead of going back home next week.
“We just had a lot of honest conversations and meetings. We knew in the contact area we weren’t good enough in attack or defence.”
Taniela Tupou was the big difference between the two sides.
The Wallabies prop, who has been linked to a couple of big-name clubs overseas despite being contracted with Rugby Australia until the end of next year, came on early in the second half and continued the Rebels’ ascendency at the scrum.
While the 27-year-old dropped one ball cold, Tupou scored a try, won an on-ball penalty and smashed the Waratahs at the set-piece.
It was another reminder of his potential.
He wasn’t alone in having an impact, with Leota a constant positive presence on both sides of the ball, midfield pairing David Feliuai and Daugunu combining well and offering a sense of directness in attack, and Darby Lancaster outstanding on debut as the Australian sevens winger scored a try.
Ryan Louwrens typified the Rebels’ character, as the experienced halfback was forced out on the wing late in the first half after injuries to Jake Strachan and Lachie Anderson.
The Waratahs had their moments, but as Gordon reflected they rarely took them.
Dylan Pietsch looked like scoring midway through the opening half but made a meal of it in the end as he was tackled metres short of the line as Carter Gordon’s defensive qualities shone. Making it all the more criminal was he had two teammates supporting him on the inside.
Later, in the second half, the Waratahs opted to take a quick tap but replacement lock Miles Amatosero failed to touch the ball with his foot and consequently gave away a free kick.
Then the final coaching killing moment came in the final minutes, as the Waratahs chose to run the ball out from deep within their territory and paid the price for not showing patience as they gave the Rebels a five-metre scrum.
Just when the final nail in the coffin comes remains to be seen, but it’s long way back for Coleman’s Waratahs even if they remain mathematically a chance of still making the eight-team finals series.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.