Slick Tahs bury Canes

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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  • 1.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:07 am

    Canes to win by 6, Tahs to get 2 losing bonuspoints.

    Log after today:

    Bulls – 47
    Canes – 42
    Crusaders – 41
    Tahs – 40
    Stormers – 39

    With only the Newlands game left to play…

  • 2.goyougoodthing2: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:27 am

    @Tacitus(Tacitus)-1: The WP to lose?

  • 3.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:30 am

    @Tacitus(Tacitus)-1:

    Then shouldn’t the Bulls move to 51 or 52? Seems you just like spewing kr@p. Get your math right mate.

  • 4.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:32 am

    @Tacitus(Tacitus)-1:

    Sorry didn’t read the after today. I’m the muppet.

  • 5.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:32 am

    @Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-3:

    A bit slow today, are you?

  • 6.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:32 am

    @Tacitus(Tacitus)-5:

    Sure am!

  • 7.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:32 am

    @Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-4:

    No worries.

  • 8.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:34 am

    @Tacitus(Tacitus)-7:

    The log after tomorrow?

  • 9.wpw: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:34 am

    Go CANES!!! :twisted:

  • 10.mainland: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:34 am

    This game without a bonus point win for either team is going to make a coin flip of who end 3 or 4 if the stormers win

  • 11.goyougoodthing2: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:34 am

    Now Canes to put these whinging girls’ blouses to bed.

  • 12.ufo: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:35 am

    Go Hurricanes!! Blow away the Wah-Wah-Tahs…!!

  • 13.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:35 am

    @Tacitus(Tacitus)-7:

    Think the Tahs to win by plenty. I hope the Canes take it though.

  • 14.die denker: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:35 am

    so let me get this straight:

    if the tahs win, they go 2nd and crusaders 3rd. if canes win without bonuspoint, its crusaders 2nd and canes 3rd. if canes win with bonuspoint, its canes 2nd and crusaders 3rd.

  • 15.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:37 am

    Canes to leak plenty of tries, but score even more. That’s the way they roll.

    So 4 tries to both sides I can imagine without too much difficulty. It’s the 6 point winning margin that might be a tight call, I reckon.

  • 16.BlueBlood: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:38 am

    got a funny feeling about this game. funny, like phil’s sloping forehead.

  • 17.Pienkdas de Villiers: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:39 am

    Don`t want Crusaders in semi.Don`t see them losing to Stormers @ Newlands or Bulls again.They will be VERY charged!

  • 18.mainland: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:40 am

    Tahs in their bathroom tile jersey

  • 19.Beertjie: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:40 am

    @Tacitus(Tacitus)-15: So Stromers should be Tahs supporters for this game?

  • 20.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:40 am

    @Pienkdas de Villiers(Pienkdas de Villiers)-17:

    My friend, the Bulls will blow the Crusaders away the next time they play. There won’t be no flyahlf at outside centre to gift them two tries.

    My dream has always been a Bulls/Crusaders final at Loftus. I guess Bulls/Crusaders in Soweto is the next best thing.

  • 21.RL: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:40 am

    I back any team that plays against the whinging girls.

  • 22.BlueBlood: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:41 am

    @Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-8: think the log will go:

    1. Bulls

    Cant think passed that.

  • 23.ImAStronter: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:41 am

    On the premise that the stormers have a home semi….
    I don’t care how, but one of these 2 teams needs to end 3rd.
    Would rather face one of them than the crusaders.

  • 24.Pienkdas de Villiers: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:41 am

    Mainland

    Bwaha hahahaha ha.

  • 25.RL: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:42 am

    puke is what comes to mind when I look at the fugly jersey that the tahs are wearing.

  • 26.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:43 am

    If the Stormers lie fifth after this game, I wonder if the Bulls still have time to switch to their A team for tomorrow’s clash…

  • 27.Pienkdas de Villiers: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:44 am

    Tac

    Don`t have log.How does canes land up 4th?Just win with no bonus point?

  • 28.Beertjie: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:45 am

    @RL(RL)-25: Tahs are in a special jersey that will be auctionend after the game for Cerebral Palsy – according to iafrica

  • 29.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:45 am

    we’ll know in 2 hours i guess…

  • 30.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:46 am

    @Pienkdas de Villiers(Pienkdas de Villiers)-27:

    Canes have to win to end 3rd. Tahs can end fourth if they get two losing bonuspoints.

  • 31.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:47 am

    So 43 points would have taken second spot on the log? I wouldn’t have given good odds on tha happening with 6 games to play…..

  • 32.mainland: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:48 am

    Just saw a matching scrum cap. CTM special.

    Log

    Bulls
    Sto
    Canes/tahs
    Saders

    Semis

    Bulls-saders
    Sto-canes/tahs

  • 33.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:48 am

    @Tacitus(Tacitus)-30: And if the Stormers lose. Which they won’t. Even you know that.

  • 34.Dusky: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:50 am

    @Tacitus(Tacitus)-1: Tacitus – if the log ends that way, the Bulls should be forced to send their best team because then I almost agree with Hinton. Its would be a little unfair for the Waratahs and they might just have a valid complaint.

    I say let the Bulls B side go to Cape Town, but give them 10 points head start. That should be fair.

  • 35.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:50 am

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-33:

    I’m thinking that if the Stormers lose, it won’t be by more than 7 points, so they’ll still sneak into fourth spot.

  • 36.Dusky: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:51 am

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-33: Yes, and they would have to lose without scoring a bonus point. Something I think would be possible if it were a full strength Bulls side, but I dont see it happening as things stand.

    The Stormers will be in the semi’s – just their game against the Baby Bulls will determine where they end in the top 4.

  • 37.RL: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:53 am

    look at that convict, pretending to need medical aid just so that the physio and give him a little attention – pathetic.

    3-3

  • 38.Pienkdas de Villiers: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:53 am

    Tac

    So it all points to Bulls Saders semi ,Tac??….Unless of course 2morrow work out differently to some expectations??(lol)

  • 39.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:53 am

    I guess at least we’ll know what is required soon.

  • 40.Kea-Cat: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:54 am

    @Dusky(Dusky)-36: The only reason why the Bulls changed 14 players is so they can have an excuse after their loss, which is going to happen at Newlands, A or B team makes no difference, they know it and I know it.

  • 41.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:55 am

    Unless a miracle happens the Bulls will face the toughest play off games.

    Meaning either Crusaders or Stormers.

    I categorise the Stormers as a tough play off game because they won’t have to travel and will have more local support than the NZ teams.

    Anyway, that’s how it rolls, and that’s how we will deal with them. One after the other.

  • 42.Kea-Cat: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:57 am

    @Tacitus(Tacitus)-41: Are you a player for the Bulls?

  • 43.RL: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:58 am

    try tahs

  • 44.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:59 am

    @Kea-Cat(KEA)-42:

    Are you the angry old aunt of one of the Stormers players?

  • 45.Dusky: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:59 am

    @Kea-Cat(KEA)-40: Yes right. This flippin ‘mighty’ Stormers side you keep speaking off was trashed by a Sharks team that hardly looked like they raised a sweat.

    They didn’t even go for points with all their kicks. They were harry casual about it, and walked over the Stormers like they were playing the blind school.

    Be careful the Baby Bulls dont do the same thing to the Stormers this weekend, because you guys will NEVER live it down. EVER !

  • 46.BlueBlood: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:59 am

    @Taciturn(Taciturn)-41: I would prefer the Crusaders in the semis because all that travelling has to catch up with you at some point.

    Don’t tell me that you can get beat up at Loftus, fly to Aus, then back to the Highveld and just play 80 minutes of rugby against our fresh players.

    I’m sure that it must take its toll.

  • 47.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 11:59 am

    @RL(RL)-43:

    Good. Need 3 more. It doesn’t matter how many the Canes score, as long as they win.

  • 48.Pienkdas de Villiers: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 12:00 pm

    ….one after the other!!!

  • 49.The Analyst: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 12:01 pm

    @Tacitus(Tacitus)-41:

    I think the Bulls will find it tough to beat BOTH the Stormers and the Crusaders…..if that is the way it turns out. Just my 2 cents.

    Crusaders were unbelievable this evening, you have to admit.

  • 50.Kea-Cat: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 12:01 pm

    @Tacitus(Tacitus)-44: No, I was just wondering about the ‘we’ part in your post.

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