To the casual observer, seeing the 5th place Tahs go down in sh*tty weather to the lowly placed Highlanders might look like a banana skin slipped on. The truth is that it held a deeper significance.
Of course there was the open goal that the table presented: with both the Reds and Crusaders losing, this was the Tahs chance to nigh on cement themselves a semi. Instead, with the next game away to the Chiefs followed by a home tie against improving Hurricanes, the idea of a finals place looks trickier than a bra strap with one hand and a skinful.
More worrying though was the nature of the defeat. Yours truly was awake in the early hours of Sunday morning with cold sweats (non bra-strap related) from the awful vision of a wet game in the Shaky Isles with the likes of Adam bloody Thompson helping himself to as much ball as he wanted at the back of an Aussie ruck. Seen a match like that before?
Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t blame the Clan – they played a blinder and every second game you’ll get a ref who goes wild west at the breakdown; right or wrong it’s just the way it is. The truth is, you just need a pack good enough to deal with, and more importantly take advantage of it.
For a team that has made winning ‘ugly’ an art-form over the last three seasons, you would have thought that the Waratahs would have been right up to the task, but quite the opposite – they got owned. Spread like rice paper across the sodden park, the Clan forwards made yards at will through the Tahs pack, who’s only hope seemed to be a Highlander knock on. Where the kiwi pack came in co-ordinated pods, the Tahs both defended and ran one-out all night. Candy from babies.
Almost frantic in my bed at the thought of another Tri-Nations with the Wallaby pack made bitches at the breakdown, I had an epiphany that eased my head back to the pillow – this Tahs pack is now far from an Australian one. Of the NSW eight on display last Saturday, only one – Tatafu Polota-Nau – could reasonably be seen as a starter in a Wallaby XV, and his class showed through. Waugh and Baxter are yesterday’s men, the rest unproven.
What this game demonstrated was that with just two men out – Palu and Robinson – this Tah pack is now a soft touch. As per usual the NSW back-line did little to help the cause. ‘Gahu was workmanlike, Barnes a basket case who kicks by reflex and Holmes slow as a week in Invercargill. We believe we may have footage of Tom Carter being outpaced by an assistant referee. A ray of light came from Beale at the back who continues to underline the pointlessness of Anesi’s signing.
The only other glimmer was at scrum-time, where rookie Dan Palmer made mince-meat of Newland, to the extent that the mulleted behemoth had to leave the pitch clutching his lower back. Surely an indication if you needed it of how well the young Palmer had got under his man.
But, far from slipping easily back to sleep, another realisation dawned upon me. This Waratah side well and truly peaked two seasons ago with the final in Christchurch. Despite ‘mastermind’ signings like Dud Roodt and Cam Jowitt (for fucks sake), the NSW engine room has got some way to fall before finding the up-slope. Promising young guns like Palmer, Tilse, Fitzpatrick and Douglas are the future, not the present
As for the remainder of this year; back to the Hickey gameplan – hope for the oppo to beat themselves with some help from the ref and a continued kiwi form slump. Hey, it’s worked so far……..
Wallaby Watch
Put his hand up: Tatafu Polota-Nau. Stood up where others folded
Did himself no favours: Jeez, where to start. He’s not a Wallaby, but with his slow speed of service and lack of threat, Josh Holmes isn’t gonna be any time soon.
Bolter watch: Kurtley Beale. The only shining light in the Tahs backline on a crappy night
Highlanders 26 (Adam Thomson 2, Steven Setephano tries; Matt Berquist 3 pens, Israel Dagg con) d Waratahs 10 (Kurtley Beale try; Daniel Halangahu con, pen) at Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill. HT: Highlanders 12-10. Referee: Bryce Lawrence (NZL). Crowd: Not announced.
By the clock
10th – Steven Setephano try; Israel Dagg missed conversion. Highlanders 5-0
13th – Adam Thomson try; Israel Dagg conversion. Highlanders 12-0
20th – Daniel Halangahu penalty goal. Highlanders 12-3
28th – Israel Dagg missed penalty attempt.
34th – Kurtley Beale try; Daniel Halangahu conversion. Highlanders 12-10
47th – Adam Thomson try; Israel Dagg missed conversion. Highlanders 17-10
54rd – Matt Berquist penalty goal. Highlanders 20-10
64th – Matt Berquist penalty goal. Highlanders 23-10
69th – Matt Berquist penalty goal. Highlanders 26-10
