With their season now well over, it’s time to look back with the official G&GR 2013 Waratahs Season Review.
Final ladder position
9th, with 8 wins and 8 losses
Overall season vibe
Despite a slow start and a rusty finish you would have to say this was a positive season for the Waratahs. Obviously it wasn’t a raging success, but considering the troubles of 2012 it was a big step in the right direction, both in style and results. The Tahs’ traditionally fickle fan base were slow to come back, but by the end of the season the up-tempo, ball-in-hand style instilled by new coach Michael Cheika saw crowds climb closer to where Tahs HQ would like to see them. You could see the team growing before your eyes, and there is a belief among Tahs fans that finally something good might be around the corner.
If the Waratahs/Reds/Brumbies/Force/Rebs 2013 season was a movie it would be.
Ocean’s 11. A ripper of an ensemble cast, and they produced something that was pretty good. Not an all-time classic, and possibly with the cast list you might have expected a bit more – it certainly was nothing that would win any awards. But ultimately it was an up-tempo entertaining ride that kept you engaged most of the time. Also was set up nicely for a sequel (although let’s hope the 2014 Tahs are a fair bit better than Ocean’s 12).
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Key moment
The last-gasp win over the Blues in Sydney. The Tahs were one from three at that point, and struggling for early season momentum. Cheika’s new ways had yet to yield results. The Blues were flying high and were clear favourites, but the Tahs produced an uplifting second half fightback on a sunny Sunday arvo, with Bernard Foley potting a late penalty to give the Tahs a famous win – one of many in 2013.
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Best Match
There were a few good ones to choose from, but I am going with the 72-10 demolition of the Kings in round 12. The Kings are no mugs, but it all clicked for the Tahs and the result was breathtaking. Some of the tries were magnificent, and the execution was nearly flawless throughout. The win over grand finalists the Chiefs is a close second, with a late try from John Ulugia one that will stay in the memory bank for a while.
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Worst Match
The round four spanking at the hands of the Brumbies, 35-6. Outmuscled, outenthused, outskilled. One Tahs fans would rather forget, and luckily we got our revenge later in the season in Sydney.
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Player of the season
Plenty of good candidates, but after a lot of thought I have settled on Bernard Foley. 
The Waratahs have never had a settled, consistent No. 10 and in Foley they finally look to have found one. His game management developed superbly as the season went on, and his ability to play a flat, attacking game was the key component in the Tahs’ new style of play in 2013. Israel Folau is a close second, followed by AAC and Benn Robinson.
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Star on the rise
A clear standout here – Will Skelton. 
At the start of the season he was an impressive prospect just going off his height and weight. But by the end of the season he confirmed himself as a future star. More than just a large Homo sapiens, he developed a great offloading game and an ability to disrupt lineout mauls. Looks set to take Sita Timani’s lock jersey, and push for a gold jersey in future.
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Player movement
Confirmed outs are Sitaleki Timani (France), Berrick Barnes (Japan), Lopeti Timani (Rebels), Tom Kingston (Rebels), Drew Mitchell (France), Tom Carter (retired), John Ulugia (France), Grayson Hart (Scotland), Damian Fitzpatrick (France).
Ins are Jono Lance (Reds), Tala Grey (France), Nick Phipps (Rebels), and potentially Kurtley Beale (Rebels)
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Stat of the Year
1st. The competition ranking for the Waratahs in run metres, linebreaks and offloads. After the dark days of 2012 I would have laughed if you said we would lead the competition in these metrics. Clearly the Tahs are now the entertainers of Super Rugby. Hell has frozen over, my friends!
