The Waratahs have been the great under-performers in the history of Super Rugby but with the 2014 minor premiership wrapped up, they’re now just two home wins from a maiden title.
Seemingly always blessed with a talent-rich roster the Tahs, up until this season, have never really delivered on that potential.
The franchise then hit rock bottom in 2011 when crowds hit an all-time low and the club conducted a series of fan forums in an attempt to reconnect with a disenchanted supporter base.
Here’s five reasons why they’re finally flying in Super Rugby.
Cheika a top choice:
The Waratahs have had some fine coaches over the years but none have had the team playing like Michael Cheika has this year. The former Randwick enforcer made it clear from the start of his tenure that he wanted the team to play an attractive brand of rugby but noted it must be delivered with a confrontational edge. The team has delivered on both accounts, seeing Cheika’s stocks rise to the point where he is one of the in-demand coaches in world rugby. The sight of Cheika joining his squad on a brutal pre-season stair-run inspired plenty of faith from NSW players and fans alike.
Michael Cheika was hired to play an attacking brand of rugby – he’s worked wonders
Correct recruitment:
Cheika was on record late last year saying the Waratahs lacked an aggressive forward in the mould of South Sydney NRL star Sam Burgess. He may have missed out on the soon-to-be-Bath recruit but in Jacques Potgieter he found a similar player – a man with little respect for his own wellbeing. Potgieter has inspired a greater physicality among the Waratahs forwards and quickly assumed cult hero status from the club’s fans. Meanwhile the additions of Kurtley Beale and Nick Phipps have brought out the best in Bernard Foley, the former in particular recently playing some of the finest rugby of his career. Alofa Alofa and Taqele Naiyaravoro have also added depth across the back three.
Jacques Potgieter has helped put the “fear factor” back into the Waratahs pack
Goals were good:
Cheika didn’t mince words at the start of last year – he said he didn’t believe the Tahs could challenge for the title in his first season in charge. In fact, he wasn’t even entertaining the prospect of a finals appearance – the Waratahs had to change the way they played the game and that would take time. But it was a different story in 2014 as the Waratahs’ goal was immediately set at a top-two finish. The result? First place. They just have to finish it off and take out a maiden Super Rugby title over the next few weeks.
Fantastic Folau:
Izzy even better? You bet. A rugby rookie last year, Israel Folau entered the 2014 campaign as a fully-fledged Test superstar with the stated aim of becoming even better. He started with a bang, racking up a hat-trick in the season opener against the Force and rarely slowed down – a controversial two-week stint on the sidelines with a throat injury the only low point of another spectacular season. While he crossed for 12 five-pointers to claim the Super Rugby top try-scoring title, just as impressive was the balance Folau added to his game – he’s now just as likely to create a try for a teammate as score one. The perfect attacking weapon and a big reason for the Waratahs’ surge to top spot on the ladder.
The blue wall:
Tries win matches, defence wins titles. Well, minor premierships at the very least. NSW’s point-scoring potency has been a beneficiary of Cheika’s running rugby mantra, but just as important to the rise of the Tahs has been their improvement in shutting down rival teams. The arrival of defence coach Nathan Grey – another tick for recruitment – has coincided with the Waratahs improving from 11th for points conceded last year, to first in 2014. Attitude has been key. Take Saturday night’s “dead rubber” interstate stoush with Queensland in Brisbane. The desperate Reds threw everything at the Waratahs but even with nothing to play for, the sky blue wall didn’t buckle.