This game was potentially the key game of the season for both teams. For the Chiefs, a loss would certainly keep them out of top four (home semi) and maybe miss the finals completely. For the Waratahs, a loss would kill off any claim to the top spot and realistically, the hope for a home semi-final. Both teams had a lot riding on the result.
The Match
The match started badly for the Waratahs with a penalty to the Chiefs shortly after the kick-off for what looked like a legitimate Palu cleanout. Cruden kicked the goal and the Chiefs were in front 3-0.
But from the kick-off the Waratahs were dominant and from a scrum Mackintosh was penalised and Foley kicked it, 3-3. This was the first of a series of scrums that the Waratahs dominated, with Paddy Ryan unexpectedly clearly on top. Then a try to Alofa was ruled out because of Folau holding a player back. Alofa probably is the competition leader for tries ruled out by the TMO; that’s his third or fourth this season I think.
Folau then scored in the corner from a great backline move, with a dominant break by Ashley-Cooper and a pass off to Folau. Eleven tries for the season now and this one was off Ashley-Cooper, who some Gaggers think never passes the pill. 10-3. In this first quarter the Waratah’s defence aggression, with fast line speed and huge intensity, was totally dominant.
From about 20 minutes on, the Waratahs were completely on top; Ashley-Cooper made a nice break but then grubber kicked, Horne had a couple of good runs resulting in a scrum inside the 22. Scrum penalty to the Waratahs who went in for the kill with another scrum. Didn’t work, but another penalty got them a lineout, which also came up empty of tries, but another penalty. Foley kicked it to make the score 13-3.
After a period of Waratah attack, Sweeney got the Chiefs hopes up with a 50 metre run from behind his 22 and then the Chiefs tried trench warfare from about 40 out and reached inside the 22 until the Waratahs snuffed it out. That ended the half with the Waratahs 10 points up but even Dave Rennie admitted in the half time interview that the Chiefs should have been further behind, such was the Waratahs dominance.
At half time Cheika rotated Ryan with Kepu and Potgieter with Skelton. It was tactical as both Ryan and Potgieter had played very well. The second half began with a ten minute period of back and forth, Cruden missed a penalty, then Sweeney had another long run, and after a few minutes of desperate Waratah defence the Chiefs got a 5 metre scrum and a Cruden grubber controversially put Aki in, despite claims for a knock on while grounding. 13-10.
Beale kicked a long range penalty for 16-10 and then a kick through grubber try put the Chiefs in front undeservedly 17-16.
The Waratahs fought their way back into the Chiefs half and Foley kicked a penalty to go in front 19-17. The Waratahs were soon back on attack with a good Beale run and grubber putting the Tahs deep in attack, but the Chiefs had the lineout. After some grinding Chiefs play, Polota-Nau lined up Cane with a dominant tackle and though it was partially cleared some great running and fending by Dennis saw him score in the corner. Foley converted for 26-17.
The last few minutes saw the Waratahs hot on attack, with a maul that gained 20+ metres then some good picking and driving to bring in the defence. A couple of long passes and Foley was in for the third try, which he converted. 33-17 at the siren with the Waratahs now hounding the Sharks for top spot on the table.
The refereeing team was poor with all the 50-50 calls going to the Chiefs, but the Waratahs showed how to neutralise that by just blasting the other team off the park. Pollock is nowhere near as good this year as he was last year, when he was close to the best referee in Super rugby.
Mention must be made of an enormous hit by an enormous man. Tamiefuna absolutely creamed Michael Hooper, who calmly placed the ball and jumped up smiling. “Is that the best you’ve got?” It encapsulated the Waratah spirit tonight.
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The Game Changer
After the Waratahs went behind 17-16 midway through the second half, heads could easily have dropped. Instead, they maintained their intensity and forced a penalty to go back in front on 68 minutes, followed by the try to Dennis on 71 minutes. Game over.
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[one_third last=”no”]
The G&GR MOTM
Choosing is hard because every Waratah player played well. Hooper, Polota-Nau, Dennis, Phipps, Foley and Folau were outstanding but above them all Ashley-Cooper reigned supreme. For the Chiefs, Cane, Tikoirotuma and Sweeney were excellent and Retallic good.
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[one_third last=”yes”]
Wallaby watch
Ashley-Cooper must play at 13 in front of Kuridrani, Foley should get 10 based on tonight, Phipps put his hand up for 9; Dennis, Robinson and Ryan clearly want their spots back. If injuries call, they will slip straight in.
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The Details
Crowd: Not known
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]Chiefs: 17
Tries: Two (Aki 2)
Conversions: Two (Cruden 2/2)
Penalties: One (Cruden 1/2)
[one_half last=”yes”]Waratahs: 33
Tries: Three (Folau, Dennis, Foley)
Conversions: Three (Foley 3/3)
Penalties: Four (Foley 3/3, Beale 1/1) [/one_half]
Cards & citings
None
