Slick Tahs bury Canes
14 May 2010
The Waratahs produced their best performance of the competition to beat the Hurricanes 32-16 and book their spot in the play-offs.
The Tahs took to the field in a jersey that probably matches the wallpaper in Phil Waugh’s bathroom. Perhaps the jersey designers felt not enough people knew exactly what a Waratah was, or perhaps the coaches wanted to distract the Canes with a design so bad it put Stade Francais’ atrocity to shame.
The official line is that the Tahs donned the strip for charity, and they seemed to thrive in the new colours, hammering the Canes up front and scoring some spectacular tries thanks to their sublime support play. The wet conditions should have prescribed a tighter approach, but the Tahs’ tendency to look for the offload had the Canes’ defence scrambling.
The hosts went into this crucial match without their star scrummager, Benn Robinson, and were dealt a further blow when Dan Palmer cried off with injury in the 11th minute. Unfortunately for the Canes, they also lost captain Andrew Hore early on, a loss that seemed to have a greater impact on their scrumming prowess.
The Tahs bossed this set-piece and piled on the pressure through a relentless forward assault on the Canes’ line. The Kiwis were able to withstand the forward barrage and even managed to snaffle a couple of timely turnovers on their own line. But it was when the Tahs ran it from deep that the visitors struggled to get back on defence.
Great offloading complemented penetrative supporting lines until Kurtley Beale received the final pass to dot down. Lachie Turner then created something from nothing, chipping behind the Canes’ defence, collecting the ball, and sprinting upfield. The pass at pace was accurate as Drew Mitchell took the score to 18-6.
Piri Weepu managed to goal a penalty before the break, but the Tahs struck decisively after half-time. Having absorbed plenty of punishment in the first stanza, the Canes defence was lethargic and allowed Mitchell to cut the line. The Wallabies winger found Rob Horne in support and was on hand when the Tahs centre delivered the final offload.
The try and subsequent conversion took the Tahs to a 25-9 lead, and the way the hosts were firing, a Canes fightback seemed unlikely. The hosts had the better of possession and were winning the collisions, a battle that was made easier thanks to the tiring Canes defence.
Another chip over the top eluded a seemingly well-placed Cory Jane as Beale collected his own kick to score. The bounce of the ball was favouring the Aussies, and the try ensured they claimed a bonus point.
The Canes played themselves into the Tahs’ 22, but their desperation was exacerbated by elementary handling errors. Jane knocked the ball over the tryline, and while you could say that the slippery conditions were responsible, the Tahs were getting all their passes away despite the wet.
Turner was sin-binned in the 67th minute but the Canes failed to make the most of their numbers advantage. They spilled a pass from the resulting penalty and then butchered another opportunity when they ran it from deep. The Tahs defended spiritedly, but eventually conceded a try to David Smith.
The Sydney side has played some uninspiring rugby to date, but this performance confirmed why many teams consider them a threat. Their pack is difficult to stop once it gets going, and when they string a couple of passes together, ala the Crusaders, they can translate pressure into points.
They’ll continue to whinge following this win, as the five-point return takes them to second position on the log. Had the Bulls sent their first-string to Newlands and beaten the Stormers, the Tahs would have hosted a play-off.
The Stormers should beat the Bulls B team on Saturday to book a home semi-final, a result that will see Waugh’s charges traveling from Sydney to take on an intimidating outfit in Cape Town. The other play-off should see the Bulls hosting the Crusaders.
By Jon Cardinelli
478 Comments
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14 May 2010, 18:03 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-448: I live up in Cambridge. There was ice on my car’s windows at 7am two mornings ago. ICE in the middle of May for goodness sake.
I moved here for pull reasons too, notably the better teaching of archaeology for the region I am interested in – North Africa.
14 May 2010, 18:39 pm
@Bod(bod)-407: Hey if you’re going to use the word kak, try to spell it properly. Its spelt KAK! Afrikaans is not friggin phonetic!
14 May 2010, 18:40 pm
I’ve heard Jon Cardinelli has an incredibly small *****.
14 May 2010, 18:40 pm
P3nis
14 May 2010, 18:43 pm
Some say he licks the moisture from ducks..
14 May 2010, 18:47 pm
Some say he’s a closet ********.
14 May 2010, 18:47 pm
d utchman
14 May 2010, 18:49 pm
why would d utchman be banned?? Sensitive little dutchies,,
14 May 2010, 18:49 pm
@corms(corms)-453: moffie.
14 May 2010, 18:53 pm
Another troll causing kak
14 May 2010, 18:54 pm
@Johan Fourie(CANADIAN BOK)-459: dutchie
14 May 2010, 18:58 pm
@corms(corms)-461: Sure you can come up with something more original. Now get!
14 May 2010, 18:59 pm
@Partizan(Partizan)-460: Dont know why these insecure trolls come here. Should pity them, but on the other hand….
14 May 2010, 19:05 pm
@Johan Fourie(CANADIAN BOK)-463: I think we know what’s in your other hand. I was simply commenting on the BS article, you’re the one who insulted me moffie!
14 May 2010, 19:48 pm
@corms(corms)-464: Get lost trol.
14 May 2010, 20:07 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-446: msunu wakho. kijima, gwaan!, blaady Shangaan!!
14 May 2010, 20:15 pm
@Michael(mikeybrass)-451: Yeah, the ice in may is a biyatch…
Archeology, interesting…you’re in a good college there no doubt. Good win in the boatrace!
I am here as a “janitor” and “garbage collector” – “God’s description of me
Prefer not to say what I do here suffice to say it is blaady interesting, fulfilling (for me anyway) and worthwhile…
14 May 2010, 23:04 pm
I have only had a quick flick through the posts on this thread but it seems to me that the majority of the Stormers fans are underestimating the Waratahs as they are already talking about the final (presuming they win tomorrow that is).
Even though I don’t like the Waratahs, I must admit that they have looked very good the past couple of weeks whilst the Stormers seem to be plateauing a bit.
The Stormers are definately favourites but it is not as clear cut as some fans seem to think, 1999 anyone?
15 May 2010, 00:07 am
@Simon7(Simon7)-468:
The Waratahs were excellent vs Bulls at Loftus, their first 50mins prob the best rugby this season. Like em or not, even in the games they have lost theyve always been there or thereabouts, hard to put away. Top Semi opponents for anyone.
If both Semis get tough, neutral, referees then this comp aint over yet.
15 May 2010, 00:49 am
Yip, it’s definately not over.
The games next weekend are going to be epic regardless of who you support.
Ciao
15 May 2010, 00:53 am
Bung except the lions lol
15 May 2010, 01:59 am
The Tah’s were great and the Bumblecanes a product of one thing…terrible coaching. Sorry but the buck ultimately stops there and the terrible thing is it has always been the same with the Canes. Great players, star studded but no discipline, no real structure and no real game plan…and at times no idea.These are things that a good coach is all over like a fox terrier and bangs into place( or should have years ago). I think Cooper has got by on what the team might eventually bring to the game rather than what is front of the people at the moment, more of a promise rather than results.. Good bye and good riddance I say and lets see if NZ can cough up a Ewan McKenzie and make the F’n Hurricanes do what they have been capable of for years …WIN!!
15 May 2010, 03:58 am
I have watched Dickenson in a few games he has reffed…he has been by far the best, standout, in marshalling the breakdown.
His handling of the breakdown has been exceptional. I think this is one area he has really put some focus on and come out trumps.
I will have him for the RWC final.
15 May 2010, 04:01 am
My gut feel is the Bulls have made a blunder…they should be doing away with the Stormers.
Bulls playing Crusaders for a semi…they will do away with the Crusaders due to double travel.
If Crusaders beat the Bulls then travel is a myth!!
Stormers could beat the waratahs, my gut feel says no way, then Stormers to play bulls…hmmm!
15 May 2010, 08:53 am
@wallabie.(wallabie.)-474: I really think the Crusaders will be the bulls if they have to play them in the finals. The Cruisers travel well, and after the last match they have their tails in the air…but also agree they have made a big mistake but once again, who cares. I didnt care if they played their A,B,C team..thats their business to make those decisions and shoulder whatever consequences come out of it….
After the last match between the Bulls and Crusaders the reality was that the Bulls won on a couple of missed penalties and(that any ref coiuld have missed mind you) the Crusaders know this and are full of confidence so its not too the Crusaders detriment if they have to play the Bulls in the final.
Big Hit amply showed the missed penalties on the Youtube site he posted.
15 May 2010, 08:53 am
Sorry ‘will beat the Bulls if they have to play them in the final’
15 May 2010, 09:00 am
or add the w thing in front of this you.tube.com/watch?v=RRHNrXuHUfQ
16 May 2010, 06:36 am
Off to Capetown we go………. Yeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaa!
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