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Israel Folau was back to his scintillating best with a hat-trick of tries at Bloemfontein overnight as the Waratahs bumped the Brumbies off the top of the Australian Conference with a 58-33 domination of the Cheetahs.
Folau ignited a Waratah backline that bristles with Wallabies, but all too often they don’t measure up to their undoubted ability.
With Folau on fire in assisting three other five-pointers, eight of the nine tries were scored by Waratah backs – two to winger Matt Carraro, and one each to outside centre Adam Ashley-Cooper, Taqele Naiyaravoro and pivot Bernard Foley – with Michael Hooper the only forward on the score-sheet.
The Waratahs had two targets in mind in the rarefied air of Bloemfontein – win with a bonus point.
Mission accomplished.
Having said that, this vital game was a lot closer than the scoreline suggests, with the Cheetahs playing the same entertaining game as the Waratahs, but not as well.
As a result there were 14 tries, with four of the Cheetahs’ five tries scored by backs as well with winger Cornal Hendricks and centre Francois Venter crossing for two apiece.
The Waratahs’ downside to the Cheetahs’ first two tries when they were down 12-0, was Hendricks running around Hooper to set up the first try by Venter, and moments later Hendricks scored his first after a wayward Wycliff Palu pass was intercepted.
That gave the Cheetahs a 14-12 lead against the run of play, and they also led 21-17 after 28 minutes, following the Boom Prinsloo pushover try.
Even though the Waratahs regained the lead 29-21 right on half-time, the Cheetahs always looked ready to pounce as their forwards dominated the set play.
And that was the case throughout the second half, but any Cheetah mistakes were turned into Waratah points, and that was game, set, and match.
In an after-match interview, Waratahs skipper Dave Dennis was asked if his side could retain the championship.
“Yup,” was all that was needed.
Next up for the Waratahs will be the old enemy Reds before the final make-up of the top six will be known, while the Brumbies clash with the Crusaders.
The Super Rugby table after 15 rounds at the time of writing, with these six teams assured of a finals berth, the final round to determine the order.
Conference leaders
Hurricanes – 62 points from 13 wins and two losses.
Waratahs – 47 points – 10 wins, five losses.
Stormers – 43 points – 10 wins, four losses.Next three
Chiefs – 48 points – 10 wins, five losses.
Highlanders – 48 points – 10 wins, five losses.
Brumbies – 47 points – nine wins, six losses.QF1 will be Team 3 playing Team 6.
QF2 will be Team 4 playing Team 5.SF1 will be Team 1 playing the lowest ranked qualifier.
SF2 will be Team 2 playing the highest ranked qualifier.