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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  • 401.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 15:43 pm

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-397: lol……..hahahahahahhahhahaha. My sentiments exactly….lol

  • 402.Mustard: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 15:44 pm

    @Big Hit(Big Hit)-388: the current Aus team is looking dangerous, they will be a real force at the Wc next year..all depends on their forwards and whether theyl be able to give those exciting backs some decent ball. Oh and of coarse theyl need a decent kicker this time round a 80%+ kicker…it always seems to cost them at the WC…rem mortlock. Cooper could do the Job or Gits but both can be erratic theyl have to work on their consistency

  • 403.Nils: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 15:44 pm

    @Panzer Chief(cane)-396: 2. 2008 and 2009.

  • 404.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 15:44 pm

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-397:

    There shall be no rogering of bulls.

    That’s what landed in this mess in the first place…the Blue Bulls are the result of what katman famously called “verbastering tussen boer en bees”.

  • 405.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 15:45 pm

    @WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-404: hehehehehehe

  • 406.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 15:46 pm

    @Nils(Nils)-399: if the hosts want to underestimate us, that’s fine by me. No Jonah this time.

  • 407.Bod: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 15:48 pm

    @MacToogie(MacToogie)-374:

    Nope

    I just fink Danie, Gary, Pantoffel, Mullet, those two kuk flanks and Wynand will be kukking themselves at a trip to Orlando more than the Crusaders boys will..

  • 408.Nils: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 15:49 pm

    @Big Hit(Big Hit)-406: No underestimation, we all know England can strike in the WC. Just there is not a MJ team around, so they definitely are underdogs against any 3N team.

  • 409.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 15:49 pm

    @Big Hit(Big Hit)-406: When was the last time England played in “Godsown”? Ah, yes, that was the game they won with 13 men on the field…

    Imagine the same next year… short positions on the Kiwi NZX will be profitable :wink:

  • 410.Bod: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 15:50 pm

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-395:

    How can I retort to that???

    HG 1…. Bod zip

  • 411.Mustard: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 15:50 pm

    @Panzer Chief(cane)-396: its the WC my man…pressure pressure pressure…something the Nz team cant seem to handle. Some teams just do well at Wcups. Nz are like our cricket team…always do well but wont put a dime in them in any icc event..they just ..dare i say it..choke. We’ve come to terms with it, i for one have no expectations from the Proteas when it comes to big events. Under pressure..boks vs Abs…il always back the boks

  • 412.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 15:51 pm

    @Mustard(Mustard)-402: would never write off the Aus backs, but so much of their tight five effort (which is impt. in RWCs) rests on Robinson

  • 413.goyougoodthing2: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 15:53 pm

    I think the kiwis at home will win the RWC, will be their last one though.

  • 414.Bod: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 15:54 pm

    @Panzer Chief(cane)-396:

    Right on ******* cue…. Friday night 9.00pm Wellington (NZ) time

    Brother Cane has been out with his mates from Johnny Walker, has clocked in home and is about to spew his words of wisdom..

  • 415.Mustard: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 15:54 pm

    im not sure on this, maybe someone can enlighten me..these new breakdown laws…are they going to be used in the internationals as well?

  • 416.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 15:55 pm

    @Bod(bod)-410: No mate, no scores here, its a contact sport with no trylines on Keo…

  • 417.Mustard: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 15:57 pm

    @Big Hit(Big Hit)-412: yes…like i said their forwards would have to stand up. And theyl be tested for the first time against the english in the quarters, wales will be pushovers imo

  • 418.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 15:59 pm

    @Big Hit(Big Hit)-400: we all know thats possible big hit :wink: good to see your getting in early lol

  • 419.Bod: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 16:02 pm

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-416:

    Talking about a contact sport.

    Went for lunch at the Portuguese Embassy down here in Greenpoint and who would walk in other than Jonathan Kaplan.

    He just has “Tackle Me” written all over his forehead…

  • 420.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 16:04 pm

    @Mustard(Mustard)-415: The southern Hemisphere ones at least. Probably not the NH ones, much like the ELV’s were not applied last year

  • 421.XhosaKid: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 16:09 pm

    @Bod(bod)-419: Hope you didnt restrain yourself and had a go :-)

  • 422.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 16:10 pm

    @Bod(bod)-419:

    Were you at Da Gama’s?

  • 423.MacToogie: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 16:11 pm

    Good night all, Well done to the Bulls, Stormers, Saders and blegh the Tah’s, enjoy the rugby, see all on monday

  • 424.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 16:18 pm

    @poppa69(poppa69)-418: best to take nothing for granted, that kind of attitude can ensure a QF or SF exit :)

  • 425.Mustard: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 16:19 pm

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-420: thanks, probably going to get scrapped

  • 426.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 16:21 pm

    @Mustard(Mustard)-417: The Welsh locks are pretty average. Don’t think they’ll lose to a PI side again this time tho.

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-420: the breakdown laws will be used in tests, they’ve been used in the Heineken Cup, they’ve been great

  • 427.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 16:22 pm

    @Bod(bod)-419: Didn’t know he was a porra…

  • 428.Bod: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 16:27 pm

    @WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-422:

    Yip

    I need some moral support next time before I hurl myself into the horizontal position and take Kaplan out…

  • 429.goyougoodthing2: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 16:29 pm

    @Bod(bod)-428: Kaplan isn’t a bad ref

  • 430.scorpion: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 16:31 pm

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-427: he has that looks.good people those porras

  • 431.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 16:32 pm

    @Big Hit(Big Hit)-426: tx.

  • 432.Bod: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 16:34 pm

    @goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-429:

    I didnt say he was a bad ref.

    He just has that “moer me” look on his face

  • 433.goyougoodthing2: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 16:38 pm

    @Bod(bod)-432: Oh, yes, he does indeed.

    Smarmy, he looks smarmy… like the kid at school even the nerds picked on

  • 434.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 16:42 pm

    @Bod(bod)-419: lol. Its the smirk… Just says it all: “Hit me!”

  • 435.Bod: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 16:56 pm

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-434:

    What part of the globe do you find yourself in at present??

  • 436.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 17:02 pm

    @Bod(bod)-435: Mud island, otherwise known as the UK. Other parts of euroland notwithstanding…

  • 437.Bod: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 17:08 pm

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-436:

    You poor soul.

    I shall have a drink on your behalf at LaMed tonight whilst I gaze across the tranquility of the deep blue Atlantic sea and whisper to myself…. ‘Another k*k day in Africa’

  • 438.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 17:13 pm

    heavens game is also in “exile” on Mud Island like shaun langenhoven….hehehe ;)

  • 439.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 17:15 pm

    hey bod, grant10 took us to LaMed when we were in cape town recently, lekker spot…looks like it turns into a nightclub as the evening wears on…

  • 440.Bod: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 17:18 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-439:

    It is a cool spot and my all time Cape Town favourite. But I do tend to disappear before it gets too late and the youth take over and turn it into a dump.

  • 441.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 17:18 pm

    @Bod(bod)-437: No drinks or pity needed… I promise…a beer (or five) at my local overlooking the Thames will do me fine. The fact that I am here lets me say “another k*k day in: ” pick any of France, Switzerland, Germany, Japan and Africa…with rare smudgeons of the US of A. But Blighty on a long summers day is not bad either. :wink:

  • 442.Michael: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 17:19 pm

    @Bod(bod)-437: Have one on me too. It’s 15 degrees in London and these wierdo rooineks are calling it summer.

  • 443.Michael: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 17:19 pm

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-441: What, 3 days a year!

  • 444.mainland: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 17:21 pm

    blighty is lekker okes… and lets not fool ourselves, CT is cold, wet and muddy too now!

  • 445.Bod: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 17:24 pm

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-441:

    That cold Mud Island weather has finally got to your brain… you need redemption son!

    Cheers Guys… have a good one, I am on the way down to LaMed.

    I believe in multiples of three… Chelsea by 3 and the Stormers by 15

    Bod out

  • 446.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 17:25 pm

    @mikeybrass: hahahahahahahaha don’t be nasty mike… :D heavens game is trying to be positive here, him being in self-imposed exile

  • 447.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 17:26 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-438: Not in “exile”. Contrary to “God” I have nothing negative to say about SA. Some people yes, ‘specially the few that take themselves on this here fine site, but much with the tongue firmly set in the rear of the left cheek…

    My decision was very much more pull than push…Global for me, the world extends a bit further than CT, undoubtedly beautiful it is… (other than the mjondolos on the way from the airport, that is :wink: )

    Have many connections still in SA and always…

  • 448.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 17:28 pm

    @Bod(bod)-445:
    @Michael(mikeybrass)-442:
    Taste is individual, but no envy this side. Cheers.

  • 449.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 17:30 pm

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-447: correction: take themselves seriously

    Anyway outtahere…

    Good luck to all those Stormersaders tomorrow… Don’t let the Bull B’s bite… :wink:

  • 450.Puma: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2010, 17:34 pm

    Not sure if this is correct but read that Dickinson will ref the 3rd and 2nd place finishers in the semi. That means Stormers will get Dickinson for a 5th time if they go through to 2nd tomorrow.

    Craig Joubert is going to ref the final.

    Not sure who will ref the 1st and 4th place finishers.

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