From horror Tahs to Super stars – it’s been a rocky, 19-year ride for Waratahs rugby fans.

It certainly hasn’t always been pretty – think Matt Dunning’s brain explosion field goal, the 96-19 debacle in Christchurch and getting belted by the Brumbies in the semi-finals.

Yes, the Waratahs have had plenty of lows to match their rugby highs.

Perennial underachievers in the world’s toughest provincial competition, the Waratahs had always boasted one of the most talented playing rosters but were unable to turn that into on-field success.

Until now.

With Michael Cheika at the helm this season the Waratahs secured a maiden minor premiership, have reconnected with a disenchanted fan base and won eight straight games on the road to a home grand final.

It’s taken 19 years to lock down a decider in Sydney, so we look back a 19 big moments that have shaped the Tahs’ journey to Saturday night’s historic match.

 

Tahs trounce Transvaal in Super start

March 1996: The SANZAR alliance between Australia, South Africa and New Zealand was formed in 1995 and recognising the need for a professional provincial competition they set up Super 12.

The Waratahs’ first game was against Transvaal — now known as the Lions — and they marked the historic occasion at the Sydney Football Stadium with a comfortable 32-11 win. Fullback Matthew Burke scored 22 points.

 

Rogers recruited in code-hopping coup

June 2001: After six years of mid-table finishes without reaching the semi-finals, the Waratahs pulled off a major coup and signed Mat Rogers from the Cronulla Sharks.

It would turn out to be the first of many cross-code raids that have yielded both good and bad results. Rogers went on to play 40 games for the Waratahs, scoring 17 tries and 202 points.

 

96-16 — crushed by the Crusaders

11 May 2002: Enjoying their best ever Super 12 season the Waratahs were flying high ahead of top-of-the-table clash with the all-conquering Crusaders in Christchurch.

It turned out to be a horror trip across the Tasman with the Waratahs suffering a 96-19 drubbing, a defeat that remains theirs, and the competition’s, worst.

 

51-10 — belted by the Brumbies

18 May 2002: Just one week out from the playoffs, the timing of that horror defeat to the Crusaders could not have been any worse.

With second spot already locked up on the table the Waratahs were guaranteed a home-semi-final, one that would be against local rivals the Brumbies.

Unable to recover from the mental scars suffered a week earlier in Christchurch, the Waratahs were little more than cannon fodder yet again as they were thumped 51-10 at the SFS in their very first semi-final.

 

Whole Lote love for code-hopping Tuqiri

2003: After plenty of speculation Lote Tuqiri was finally unveiled as the Waratahs’, and the ARU’s, next high-profile convert and he made an instant impact in Sydney in 2003.

The Waratahs finished one spot outside the semi-finals in fifth but Tuqiri did enough to secure his place in the Wallabies’ World Cup squad, and he would go on to play in the heartbreaking loss to England in the final.

 

Dunning’s drop goal disaster

May 2003: It remains one of the standout moments in Super Rugby history but for the Waratahs Matt Dunning’s drop goal is just another reminder of a failed season.

Needing a bonus-point win to scrape into the 2003 semi-finals, Dunning took a chance at an unlikely drop goal while the Waratahs had a penalty advantage.

But it all went wrong. Dunning’s shot sailed between the uprights, forcing the referee to award an unbelievable three points. The Waratahs failed to score a fourth try thereafter, handing the final playoffs spot to the Brumbies.

 

The missing Link takes reins

November 2003: After the hype of the World Cup, it was back to business at Super 12 level and the Waratahs would be embarking on a new era under former Wallabies prop Ewen McKenzie.

McKenzie oversaw a disappointing first season in 2004 as the Waratahs recorded just five wins on their way to eighth but there would be happier times ahead.

 

Schoolboy sensation signs on

April 2005: He’d already been the subject of contract debate of some time so it came as no shock when the Waratahs secured the signature of Kurtley Beale while he was still enrolled at St Josephs College.

Beale wouldn’t make his debut until 2007 before going on to leave, and return, to the club in the ensuing years.

 

Tahs beaten in first final

May 2005: It took 10 seasons but the Waratahs finally found themselves in a Super 12 final when they travelled across to Christchurch for the 2005 decider.

McKenzie’s side had finished the season in second spot with nine wins — the same as the Crusaders — but failed to secure as many bonus points as the New Zealanders.

It would prove costly too as Robbie Deans’s outfit ran out 35-25 winners in front of a packed Jade Stadium.

 

Sailor’s stunning Tahs switch

June 2005: As Queensland as they come, Wendell Sailor shocked the sporting world when he announced he’d be joining the Waratahs in the inaugural season of Super 14.

Sailor was off-contract with the Reds but it was believed he would join new side Western Force or head to Japan on a big-money offer.

But the code-hopper couldn’t resist the opportunity to join fellow former NRL stars Tuqiri and Rogers and Sydney, and played his first game in front of a hostile Brisbane crowd the following year.

 

Sailor’s shock suspension

13 May 2006: Just hours before their final game of the season against the Hurricanes the Waratahs were rocked by news that Sailor had been provisionally suspended following a positive drug test for cocaine.

Sailor would never play for the Waratahs again while the Hurricanes would go on to record a 19-14 upset at the SFS, meaning NSW would have to travel to Wellington for a semi-final the following week. They lost.

 

Tuqiri shoves Norton-Knight

March 2007: The 2007 Super 14 season was an absolute disaster for the Waratahs and nothing highlighted that more than Sam Norton-Knight’s brainsnap in round five.

Locked at 16-all against Western Force with just moments on the clock, Norton-Knight opted to take a quick tap from a penalty despite it being within kicking range.

The Waratahs fullback charged down the sideline only to lose possession and earn himself the ire of Tuqiri, who shoved his teammate in what was an ugly finish for the home fans.

 

McKenzie gets his marching orders

April 2008: He oversaw one of the most successful Waratahs’ periods ever but now-Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie was told mid-season his contract would not be renewed beyond 2008.

Still hurting from a shocking 2007, the NSW powerbrokers decided to dump McKenzie despite the side’s promising start the following year.

The Waratahs went on to reach the Super 14 final that year, again losing narrowly to the Crusaders 20-12. McKenzie would have the last laugh however when four years later he took Queensland Reds to a maiden title.

 

Rock bottom arrives via boo boys

March 2011: Rugby fans don’t often boo the opposition let alone their own team so that gives you an indication of how bad the Waratahs must’ve been in a shock 23-6 loss to the Cheetahs in Sydney.

Rank outsiders for the match, the Cheetahs outmuscled an error-riddled Waratahs to pull off one of the biggest upsets in the history of the competition. It was a dark, dark night for NSW.

 

Fan forum flames heated debate

May 2011: The Waratahs recovered from that horror show against the Cheetahs but the supporters continued to turn away in 2011, prompting the franchise to hold their first “fan forum”.

Then coach Chris Hickey, skipper Phil Waugh, chief executive Jason Allen and handful of players met with disenchanted Waratahs fans in an often heated debate about the club’s ailing health.

One of the key things to come out of the forum was the fans’ desire for the side to play attacking, entertaining rugby. Hickey’s contract was not renewed later that year although the Tahs did make the finals.

 

Cheika chooses Tahs over Force

September 2012: After a miserable season under Michael Foley, the Waratahs set their sights on Michael Cheika as the Force were rumoured to also be chasing the former Randwick hardman.

Cheika signed on for a three-year deal and immediately set about rediscovering the club’s identity, something he said would allow the Waratahs to “earn the right to think about getting some good results”.

 

Tahs sweep Izzy from under Eels’ feet

December 2012: Israel Folau’s defection to the AFL was a major blow to the NRL but all was set to be put right when he was released by the GWS Giants and appeared to join Parramatta Eels.

But problems with the club’s salary cap saw negotiations stall and seeing the opportunity to sign one of Aussie sport’s big names, the Waratahs snapped Folau up on a one-year deal.

 

“National treasure” comes home

August 2013: ARU boss Bill Pulver described him as a “national treasure” and it was a great relief to many in the Australian rugby community when the Waratahs offered Kurtley Beale the chance to return home.

The former schoolboy star had battled both on and off the field during a two-year stint with Melbourne Rebels, a period that also included a short stay in rehab.

But knowing he was too good a player to pass up, Cheika and the Waratahs were happy to bring Beale back to Sydney and he’s already repaid their faith 10 times over.

 

Super Tahs seal home Super Rugby final

July 2014: Is this finally the year? The Waratahs stated before the 2014 season kicked off that they were gunning for a top-two finish, and they certainly backed up that statement.

They topped the table at the end of the regular season, and did so in style by leading the competition for most points (481) and tries scored (55).

Cheika’s men then sealed a first home final with a gritty win — their eighth in a row — over fierce rivals the Brumbies, setting up a clash with their 2005 and 2008 nemesis the Crusaders at ANZ Stadium.