A Waratahs team missing many first choice players handily beat a poor Western Force outfit at NIB Stadium this afternoon.
The Match
Much has been written and said this week about Michael Foley’s decision to play an understrength line up against the Lions, with a view to taking the points against an equally understrength Tahs today. Without wanting to reopen on that debate, it’s clear that he wasn’t vindicated on this afternoon’s showing.
The Tahs, who it has to be said are playing much better footy this year under Michael Cheika, looked focused and really up for this game. They can’t make the finals but that didn’t seem to change their approach. Right from the first whistle, they looked motivated and really caught the Force on the hop. The home team, by contrast, looked listless and dare one say lazy. They were two tries down before anyone knew it. The first was from a methodical series of phases in the Force 22 before Ollie Atkins forced his way over in the corner.
The second was from a well executed backline move from a set piece. It was a good interchange of passes and nice running lines, but it really caught the Force defence flat footed. As good a move as it was it looked a little too regulation a try at this level. The defence really should have been up to the task and they barely laid a hand on the Tahs backs.
After those two early scores the game underwent an odd change, where the Force had a surfeit of field position. They forced the Tahs back deep in their own half through liberal use of the boot. On top of that they were awarded a series of penalties. Seemingly sensing that they were starting to get the upper hand, they eschewed goal kicking opportunities and consistently went for the line. One of those kicks for the corner nearly came off in the form of a catch and drive, but it wasn’t to be.
They eventually did score through a messy Tahs defending scrum where they won back possession and Pek Cowan went over. For the rest of the half the Force pack dominated and seemed to be eternally camped in the Tahs 22, though the visitors defence was up to the task.
It was almost predictable that after that many forays into the opposition half and coming away empty handed that the Force would concede a try and they duly did when Tom Kingston (who had a good game at outside centre) also went over to make the score 22-8.
So in a half where one team dominated territory and possession the other attacked with some real precision and scored thrice.
The second half didn’t have a lot to recommend it as a spectacle. The Tahs defended well (though they did give away a large number of penalties) and the Force were playing catch up. When the Tahs were able to venture into their attacking half, they came away with points on most occasions. They did more than enough to keep the home side at bay and force them to adopt some slightly unconventional tactics to narrow the deficit. One of those occasions actually led to a very good Force try.
A Tahs player (Peter Betham if I recall correctly) was forced into touch, the ball wrestled from him and a quick lineout was taken. Sias Ebersohn, showing some dash for practically the first time in the game, threw an extravagant dummy in front of Will Skelton and put Kyle Godwin away. It was a good try and although it was due to some desperation on the part of the Force, it really makes you wonder why they don’t show adventure like that some more.
Too often in this game they opted for the boot when running options were available. They consistently played effectively ten-man rugby and it must have been the game plan because they rarely did anything else in the game. The attack was based around a lot of pick and drive and very narrow channels. The Tahs defence dealt with this threat (or lack thereof) very well for the most part. Their defence was up quickly and enthusiastic. It was occasionally offside too, but if defence is an attitude in rugby teams it said everything about the Tahs today that they relished getting up off the line and knocking blokes over.
Their own attack showed glimpses of flair that haven’t often been sighted over the last few years. Even without the strike power of guys like Folau and Ashley-Cooper (and Hooper in the pack) they were still prepared to chance their arm and from my point of view that’s a good thing to see. Cheika has clearly instilled a different mindset in this squad and a level of self-belief, because they just seemed to want it more today.
One more point in closing after the Tahs deserved victory: now having seem Will Skelton up close I can confirm that he is a very large human. If he can harness that size I predict he could go pretty far in this game.
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The Game Changer
Cam Crawford’s try in the corner after the aforementioned slick backline move. The conversion that followed meant that the Force were continually chasing the game after that. Something they are not comfortable doing.
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The G&GR MotM
I thought Bernard Foley had a super game today, marshalling his troops well and taking generally good options. Skelton also had a powerful game in the loose.
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Wallaby watch
All eyes would have been on Hugh McMenimen. He played well but looked a bit short of a gallop I thought. Understandable, given the time on the sideline he’s had.
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The Details
Waratahs: 28 (Atkins, Crawford, Kingston tries; McKibbin 2 conv; McKibbin 2, Foley pens) defeated Force: 13 (Cowan, Godwin tries , Hayward pens)
Yellow cards: Jed Holloway
Refereee: Angus Gardner
