Terrible Tahs pip Reds
6 Mar 2009
The Waratahs edged the Reds 15-11 in a forgettable error-strewn scrap in Sydney.
The mudslinging had begun some days before kickoff, and the actual fixture never lacked for intensity. Unfortunately for both teams, they failed to make the most of their opportunities. The Tahs outmuscled the Reds at the scrum and ruled the lineout, while they forced turnovers at the breakdown regularly. The Reds will lament their inability to retain the ball, losing possession in contact or at an attacking ruck with metronomic regularity.
The hosts scored through Benn Robinson after some early forward pressure paid off. The Tahs managed to keep the Reds pinned in their own territory, but only managed one more Kurtley Beale penalty in the first half.
Quade Cooper blew hot and cold, testing the Tahs defence with a series of chips and probes but throwing a couple of shocking passes that cost the Reds momentum. Some poor decision-making also inhibited the Reds’ progress, Charlie Fetoai doing well to break the line but then failing to put a support runner away.
Credit to the Reds, for all their bumbling, they never dropped their intensity. The breakthrough arrived right on half-time when Peter Hynes rounded off a well-worked move. Lachie Turner was lured off his wing to create the overlap, and Hynes’s surge for the corner took the visitors to a 11-10 lead.
Turner made amends early in the second period with a try-saving tackle on Mark McLinden. It was another example of the Reds’ piss-poor decision-making, as McLinden selfishly drove for the line when he had Hynes on his outside. Turner obliged with a copybook cover hit and ensured McLinden was stopped short.
The quality of rugby deteriorated with the Reds matching the Tahs mistake for mistake. Cooper would kick the ball dead, and shortly after a promising Waratahs build up would break down because of a basic error. The Tahs were less impressive at the set-piece after half-time and battled to get front-foot ball. The Reds did well to spoil and win turnovers, but just weren’t good enough to make the most of these chances. To be kind, this match won’t go down in the New South Wales vs Queensland annals as a classic. It was painful to watch.
The Tahs backline looked devoid of ideas on attack, and it was a hit-and-hope high ball by Kurtley Beale that led to the hosts’ second try. Turner chased well on Hynes who handed the ball to a grateful Timana Tahu. The replacement centre had the pace to finish, and with 17 minutes to play, the Tahs were out to a 15-11 lead.
Turner swooped on a loose ball from a lineout in the 77th minute, cut the line and chipped the last defender. Television replays indicated Turner had lost the ball forward in his attempt to gather and place, another disappointing end to a promising assault.
The Waratahs maintain their unbeaten run after four rounds, but their poor handling must be a concern. The Reds continue to affirm their flash-in-the-pan status. Their brand may appear exciting because it’s helter-skelter, but as their previous performances will confirm, it’s far from effective.
By Jon Cardinelli
219 Comments
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6 Mar 2009, 13:26 pm
#192 WP Till I Die:
Sondebok se skoonpa is dokter daar naby in Kaloops, jy weet seker…?
6 Mar 2009, 13:27 pm
#195 Fern:
Wat gaan jy daar maak, vir GBS kuier?
6 Mar 2009, 13:29 pm
#195 Fern: Hi Fern, Just saw your post now. Have not been to Boksburg for so many years aswell.
6 Mar 2009, 13:29 pm
#194 Puma:
You would have driven down the QE highway then. Just before Hamilton there is (or was) a block of flats on the hill (2 actually) on the left. 1001 main St. West. Lived there for 18 months.
Hamilton Golf Course on the right side.
This assuming that you went via Niagra Falls – probably the Rainbow Bridge?
6 Mar 2009, 13:33 pm
#198 Pietman:
Howdy Pietman! Hope all is well with you – where-ever you are
I was watching a film which had some Canadian connection the other night. It’s a really great country.
6 Mar 2009, 13:37 pm
Australia certainly making hay while the sun shines in Durban. 183/0 in 43rd over.
Did the Protea’s heads become swelled with their own importance after the tour?
6 Mar 2009, 13:37 pm
#190 Scrumdown:
I have responded to your mail.
However it seems that my reply is awaiting moderation.
I do not know why.
6 Mar 2009, 13:39 pm
#207 tight head: Happens all the time. I think the system may require tweaking a bit!
6 Mar 2009, 13:41 pm
#204 Osama the desert seagul: Yes went that way. Stopped off at Niagra Falls that time and stayed two nights there.
I have a good recipe for making beer aswell with the non-alcohol beer. First have to dig it out that recipe otherwise if I get it wrong the room you live in could explode……..hahahahahah. Need the right amount of yeast and sugar for that but it only takes two weeks and it tastes great. You will need those Grolsch bottles to bottle them with after you brew it. So get some of those in. You will need a big rubber bin too make it in. It only takes two weeks to brew and it tastes great.
When I come back from lunch will look see where I kept that recipe to make the beer.
6 Mar 2009, 13:45 pm
#206 Scrumdown:
Is that the score?? WTF? I always said lets wait and see first… We beat a very understrengthed side… worrying stuff…
6 Mar 2009, 13:46 pm
#205 Osama the desert seagul:
Jis mater.
At the airport near Seoul, waiting for the wife to land.
(Bloody delayed flights all over the place because of this N-Korean Mugabe up north threatening with his missiles again…his favourite past-time, *******….)
Canada is good, nice people, especially out west in the ‘ranch areas, went there last year on a ‘cattle breeders tour’(wife won a prize through the restaurant).
Steaks are great, beer as well (forgot the name now, grey and red can).
But friends over there tell me they are also taking big hits out there in the farming business due to the ‘credit crunch’, we have many Canadians out here job-hunting at the moment.
6 Mar 2009, 13:54 pm
#209 Puma:
My Brother and I made a brew in a “Big Rubber Bin’… ONCE.
Upon “maturity”, one Sunday after Church, we invited a select group of friends to a “Grand Tasting Session”……..six hours later…… I had been evicted from my rented premises and I never spoke to my Brother for two years thereafter..
6 Mar 2009, 13:57 pm
Summer in the city.
One of our local takeaways just burnt down!
Middle of town. Yeesh.
Nice firemen in attendance though.
6 Mar 2009, 14:06 pm
#205 Osama the desert seagul:
Send you some pics of the Cape and Karoo….
Aaaggggggggggggh no, faaaaaark this business, another announcement ‘flight delayed’….
I have been sitting here all afternoon…. in a ‘no smoking’ zone…
Te moer met dit, ek trek terug Kaap toe, liewe bliksem donner wetter….laat ek liewer hier uit en en gaan rook buite.
6 Mar 2009, 14:12 pm
Cheers all. Time to depart.
6 Mar 2009, 14:27 pm
#211 Pietman: Hey Pietman, I’m in Calgary again in 2 weeks time and I tell I’ve never had Prime Rib of Beef like i had in Calgary. Loads of Saffas there as well, wlaked into a restaurant with some American pals from Connoco and the guy brhind the bar was a Saffa and one of the waitresses as well.
6 Mar 2009, 14:29 pm
#196 Osama the desert seagul: I see you also don’t need a reason to drink wine i.e. weather, how long it will keep etc.
6 Mar 2009, 14:44 pm
#216 bananaboy:
Nice, I stayed in Sakskwatoon once, just across the state line from Calgary for two days, in a cabin with a friend, plenty of ‘big feet’ around there still…
6 Mar 2009, 15:49 pm
#217 bananaboy:
Absolutely! Little else to do here …
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