Bob Dwyer Rugby Workshops

Sydney Football Stadium. Saturday, 27^th March, 2007.

The Super14 competition has now gone past the halfway point. Traditionally, at this stage, the competition table starts to divide into three separate groups. The top group of five or six settle down to fight out the semi-final spots; the next group are now playing “catch-up”; and the bottom group are playing for pride. The next couple of rounds will sort it out.

Saturday night’s Sydney fixture, between the NSW Waratahs and the Auckland Blues, was therefore crucial for both teams, with the loser in danger of falling off the pace. The teams were an even match-up on paper, with full international front rows in both and try-scoring potential all over the pitch. The Waratahs had been building steadily and had looked likely, for the previous two weeks, to develop into a quality attacking team. Auckland, on the other hand, had played a high-speed, dynamic style; one which could score points, but prone to error.

The Waratahs began also with a high speed attacking game, based on close support and quick recycle – a demanding, but potentially rewarding, approach. Those rewards were immediately forthcoming. They scored twice in the first eight minutes, through Dean Mumm and Daniel Halangahu. They had managed three off-loads at the tackle zone in the first four minutes and this was putting intolerable pressure on the defence. The ball was spread to the openside wing from the first two Waratahs set-plays – the Waratahs faithful band of supporters had been waiting some years for this. The inclusion of the highly talented Kurtley Beale, anticipated as risky but exciting, was certainly helping the attack, with the young fullback constantly involved and threatening the defence. Continuity, but with maximum speed of recycle, was the order of the day. In the first eight minutes, the Waratahs had enjoyed 88% possession. Something had to change and it did.

The Waratahs strangely became more circumspect and looked to kick for field position. Within a few minutes, Auckland had justified their reputation as a dangerous attacking team and pulled back one try through Rudi Wulf. The Waratahs had been warned; give the Blues opportunities for counter-attack and they will punish you.

The home team, suitably chastened, returned to “plan A”. They ignored the posts and went for the lineout instead. A catch and drive was followed by three or four “picks and go”. The ball was spread through three short passes and Daniel Halangahu doubled around Wycliffe Palu for his second try.

Once again the ‘Tahs relaxed. They got lazy with their realignment and were soon under such pressure that they were forced to kick. One kick went direct to touch and another into touch-in-goal and they were soon back in their own quarter, with the Blues threatening. The supremely talented Isaea Toeava had threatened every time he touched the ball and it was he who took the try, after an excellent build-up which involved inside runners on two occasions. The Waratahs’ defence had been good, but the Blues’ attack was better.

From the restart the Blues were immediately back on attack. Two quick penalties soon had them back in the Waratahs’ danger zone. A quick tap, a few ‘picks and go” and they had the overlap for Rene Ranger to touch down. 21-19 at the break – anyone’s game! In the half, the Blues attack had broken the advantage line on 85% of plays – a huge statistic which said plenty about the lack of sting in the Waratahs’ defence.

By the 41^st minute, the Waratahs had lost both Wycliffe Palu and Phil Waugh, a massive set-back by any standards. The Blues were soon well on top and there great all-round pace made space for Ranger who scored his second try after only eight minutes of the resumption, putting the Blues in the lead by five points.

From here, it must be full marks to the Waratahs. They were up against it but were able to score through Tatafu Polota-Nau from a well rehearsed front of the lineout play. TPN chose not to step, instead driving through Rudi Wulf on the line. At 29-29, replacement lock Will Caldwell gave away a stupid penalty for non-release of the ball-carrier. 29-32.

Only two penalties against the Blues for obstruction – it was looking like a deliberate strategy – kept them at bay, but they remained well on top. They continued to attack and had an overlap running into the Waratahs’ five-metre zone, but Lachlie Turner had read the play beautifully and took the intercept, to run 95 metres for a try under the posts. Dean Mumm, who had run the ball well all game, made a long break and replacement scrum-half, Josh Holmes, followed with a well-weighted grubber which put the retreating Blues’ defence under pressure. An off-side penalty gave Halangahu the opportunity to stretch the lead and now the Blues needed a converted try to draw level.

They continued to attack, but the home defence held firm. From their last opportunity, a disappointing crooked throw gave the scrum to the Waratahs and they happily were able to put the ball immediately into touch and take the win plus the bonus point.

I have long held a view that a quality attacking game can be summed up simply, in this way. “Continuity, with speed of recycle, creates space. A re-aligned attack can capitalize on that space.” When the Waratahs attacked in this way, the Blues defence had no answer. When they lost focus and became lazy – mentally, as much as physically – the Blues were soon back in the match. This for me was the story of the match.

The result could have gone either way, but perhaps for the Waratahs to prevail, despite the dual loss of their influential captain, Phil Waugh, and experienced International No.8, Wycliffe Palu, says lots for their courage and determination.