As the first to man to win 100 caps for NSW, Chris Whitaker is on the dais when it comes to the Waratahs’ most-loved sons.

And born with a healthy streak of sky blue in his veins, Whitaker never stopped feeling like a Waratah either. 

After he finished his decade as a NSW player and went to Ireland, the blond halfback would regularly text his successor Phil Waugh and catch up with games and Super Rugby scores.

“I remember being in the Greek Islands for the 2008 final (Waratahs v Crusaders) and I couldn’t find it on TV,” Whitaker said.

“So I ended up reading the updates via a blog on FoxSports. I was refreshing it every ten seconds.”

When the Waratahs finally won a title in 2014, Whitaker had moved into coaching and was now across in France.

NSW players dedicated the win to the men who’d fought all those battles before them, and Whitaker’s name was one of those raised.

But while he was always watching from afar, it was exactly this deep-rooted connection to the Waratahs that kept Whitaker away for so long.

When Michael Cheika – who Whitaker had played under, and coached with, in Ireland and France – took over the Tahs in 2013, he tried unsuccessfully to get Whitaker to come on board as an assistant.

And when Daryl Gibson reached out again earlier this year, still Whitaker paused.

“I was actually reluctant to come back,” Whitaker told RUGBY.com.au.

“I have always had in the back of my mind I don’t want to come back because I was an ex-player or an ex-captain or whatever. 

“I don’t want it to feel like that’s why I have been given the opportunity to come back. That’s why I stayed overseas as long as I could, to learn as much as I could and develop and succeed as much as I could as a coach.

“I am trying to do the coaching thing on own merits. Not because of what I have done before, or where my brother (ARU performance boss Ben Whitaker) works or something. That was always the  big driver for me.”

It’s been twelve years since Whitaker last wore sky blue though, and he ultimately decided to say “yes” to a Waratahs return.

He accepted an assistant coach gig – earned on merit – and last week, an older and wiser Whitaker walked back into NSW headquarters, slipped on the old logo and reported for duty.

He’ll coach the Sydney Rays in the upcoming NRC, serve as an assistant to Gibson next season and likely be considered as a future head coach down the track, along with Simon Cron.

“It’s been 12 years now. It feels a bit surreal. It certainly feels good to be back. A lot of things have changed since I was last here but it’s good to be back,” Whitaker said.

“It was the right time and a good opportunity. Obviously they had a great season (in 2018) and are keen to build on that again. It’s really exciting.”

Whitaker debuted as a Waratahs player in 1997 and finished ten seasons later with 107 caps.

He took over the captaincy from Matt Burke for his last three seasons, played 31 Tests for  Australia and even captained the Wallabies. (Whitaker was in fact picked 84 times, but was stuck behind George Gregan).

Whitaker shifted to Leinster in Ireland in 2006 and played under Cheika – winning the European Cup title in 2009 – and then moved into coaching under the now Wallabies coach in 2010. 

He  moved with Cheika to Paris, to coach at Stade Francais in 2012-13, before moving to the south of France, where he coached at Narbonne and then Montauban.

“I am a bit nervous,” Whitaker said. 

“Obviously I have been in a different system for the last eight years, I have seen how different coaches do things.

“At the moment I am jumping straight back into with the NRC, so its a good way to get back my feet back on the ground and learn what I have missed out on in the last 12 years.”

Exact roles at the Waratahs haven’t been nailed down but Whitaker has filled many roles in Ireland and France, particularly in skills and defence.

He also hopes he can help share his experience in building strong  team culture – which is an essential priority in mixed-nationality French squads.

“I hope so. It is something I have always done anyway,” Whitaker said 

“I am not a ranter and a raver. I am not a screamer. Hopefully I am more a people person than a dictator.

“I think it worked in my benefit over in France. I never got kicked out of a team or sacked. Which is unusual.”

Having once played NSW rugby with the likes of Burke, Lote Tuiqiri, Mat Rogers and Jason Little, Whitaker says he is excited to work with a red-hot Waratahs backline once again.

“We have some massive strike weapons here and this year they managed to get the best out of almost everyone there,” he said.

“When you speak to people up there (in Europe), they love the skill level down here and how quick it is played. They’re quite jealous up there of that. It is mostly set-piece, defensive  footy up there. Some teams play a bit now but you notice the difference when they go to Test level. Coaches say the guys aren’t used to playing at that speed and get blown off the park.”

Taking over the Sydney Rays, who begin their NRC campaign in two weeks, is a great way to get back into the feel of club footy and the Waratahs’ programs.

“There has been some really good rugby played in the NRC and this year we have really streamlined with NSW teams, as far the development and identifcation of talent given there are only  two teams now,” he said.

“Hopefully bringing back the Sydney jumper will also get some tribalism back and get supporters behind it. It is a good opportunity for the guys in Shute Shield to play a level up and play  around some good footy players.”

The Lions have been forced into one change for their semi-final clash against the Waratahs on Saturday night.

Lourens Erasmus will start at openside with Cyle Brink unable to shake off an injury to his right arm in time to be named in the sudden-death clash.

Hacjivah Dayimani will replace Erasmus on the bench in the only switch up to the South African side to take on the Waratahs.

The Waratahs named their team for the semi-final on Thursday night, with Tolu Latu starting over Damien Fitzpatrick.

The Lions host the Waratahs in Johannesburg on Saturday July 28, kicking off 3:05pm local, 11:05pm AEST, LIVE onFOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. 

TEAM

IN: Hacjivah Dayimani 

OUT: Cyle Brink

Lions to face the Waratahs

1. Jacques Van Rooyen

2 Malcolm Marx

3. Ruan Dreyer

4. Marvin Orie

5. Franco Mostert

6. Kwagga Smith

7. Lourens Erasmus

8. Warren Whiteley

9. Ross Cronje

10. Elton Jantjies

11. Aphiwe Dyantyi

12. Harold Vorster

13. Lionel Mapoe

14. Ruan Combrinck

15. Andries Coetzee

Reserves

16. Corne Fourie

17. Dylan Smith

18. Johannes Jonker

19. Hacjivah Dayimani

20. Marnus Schoeman

21. Dillon Smit

22. Courtnall Skosan

23. Howard Mnisi

The Reds boss insists a talented forward on the books at Napoli is not a target, but he will be looking to bolster his ranks at the next opportunity

Jurgen Klopp has ruled out a summer raid from Liverpool for Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne.

The Italy international has been linked with a move to the Premier League for some time.

He has enjoyed a productive spell with Napoli since stepping out of their academy system, making 300 appearances and recording 76 goals.

A switch away from Serie A has been hinted at, with Insigne admitting that he could “receive an offer that I can’t refuse” .

Such an approach may be made from England, but Klopp insists no offer will be tabled from Anfield.

The Reds boss has said of links to a 27-year-old frontman: “We will not sign Lorenzo Insigne.

“He is a very good player but he has a long-term contract at Napoli. We will not even try it.”

Insigne is tied to terms with Napoli through to 2022.

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While Klopp is not looking to break that agreement, he admits that recruitment plans are being pieced together at Liverpool.

The Reds have spent big in recent windows, bringing in the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Naby Keita.

There will be no more elaborate forays into a congested market , but movement is to be expected on Merseyside as a side still chasing down Premier League and Champions League crowns this season seeks to further bolster its ranks.

Klopp has said of a transfer policy that he is keeping close to his chest: “We will try to improve the team always. We will try it always in training, I think that is the best way to do it.

“The team is pretty well balanced. Our plans are not for the public, that’s how it is.

“Will it be the biggest transfer window of Liverpool? No, but you’d have been surprised if I said yes.

“Our eyes are always open. We always look. What happens if and when but nothing to say in the moment.”

Liverpool are already being linked to a number of players ahead of summer.

Insigne will not be among those targeted by the Reds, but several other deals are said to be being lined up by Klopp as he seeks to make his side even more competitive.

The 22-year-old promise has thrived in his favoured position further up the field and proved to PSG they were wrong to cut him loose

Argentina’s search for a top-quality midfielder who can both provide and score goals has been long and fruitless since the likes of Juan Roman Riquelme, Esteban Cambiasso and Pablo Aimar ended their international careers.

But hope has been renewed now in the shape of Giovani Lo Celso, the swashbuckling Betis star who has taken La Liga by storm in 2018-19. 

Still just 23, expectations are huge for the Rosario native, who now has the chance to succeed where stars such as Javier Pastore, Erik Lamela and Manuel Lanzini have fallen short and offer a real option as the link between the Albiceleste’s midfield and attack. 

The current season started with less than positive news for Lo Celso.

Despite a decent campaign in 2017-18, the Argentine found himself surplus to requirements under new boss Thomas Tuchel, who shipped him out on loan to Betis in a deal that included a purchase option worth €22 million (£19m/$25m). 

Other, less resilient players might have lost heart after such a setback, but the midfielder took it firmly in his stride.

He has hit back with a fantastic return with the Seville side, who despite lacking consistency over the course of the year have played some scintillating football under Quique Setien and perhaps deserve more than their current ninth place standing. 

Lo Celso has been at the heart of everything positive about Betis’ season. With nine and five goals respectively he is the club’s top scorer in both La Liga and the Europa League, with a further two strikes in the Copa del Rey bringing him up to an extremely impressive 16 for the term.

Indeed, on a league-wide level, only three players have scored more from midfield than the former PSG man. With a little more assistance from Betis’ misfiring strike-force the club could easily be looking at least a Europa League finish, but optimism is nevertheless high around the Benito Villamarin thanks to a young, hungry squad. 

Having been rewarded for his form with a permanent move last week, Lo Celso is ideally placed to lead the charge and make sure the coming season is even better for Betis.

“[Betis] are in a situation that isn’t ideal at the moment, but we will fight until the end,” the youngster signalled at his presentation.

“We know what the club represent, what they aspire to and the goals that we set ourselves at the beginning of the season.

“Luckily this year I scored a lot, but the most important thing is trying to help the team.”

Setien’s tactical tinkering and ever-offensive outlook has been key in getting the best out of his young charge. As a prospect at Rosario Central, Lo Celso excelled in a role just behind solitary striker Marco Ruben, but upon arriving in Europe he saw his position become even more withdrawn.

At Betis, though, he has been restored to his favoured advanced spot and the results have been spectacular. Indeed, given the travails of fellow Argentina man Leandro Paredes in settling in to life at PSG the new Ligue 1 champions may well be regretting their decision to let Lo Celso go for a comparatively cut-price fee.

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The question will be how long they can hope to hold on to his abilities.

European football now looks unlikely for Betis after a series of damaging defeats, and while the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid are yet to make any formal approach for the Argentine if they do wield their mighty chequebooks a sizeable offer would be extremely difficult to turn down.

Back in his native Argentina, those in charge of the national team would do well to pay attention. In his Albiceleste appearances to date the player has tended to fulfil one half of a double pivot function alongside Paredes, with mixed results so far as Lionel Scaloni looks to revamp a new-look side.

If Scaloni can make room for Lo Celso further up the pitch, perhaps forming a potent creative axis with Messi, he can help provide the spark that has been so sorely lacking in Argentina over the past few years.

If this past season at Betis has proved anything it is that the playmaker has talent to spare and the drive to make his presence felt in the final third.

The Seville outfit may have struggled to turn fluid football into goals and wins but Lo Celso has come through this test with flying colours, to the extent that he is a serious candidate to be dubbed La Liga’s finest midfielder for 2018-19.

The Brazilian forward is being linked with a summer move away from Camp Nou despite having spent just one season on the Blaugrana’s books

The agent of Barcelona forward Malcom has sought to distance his client from reports suggesting that a summer switch to AC Milan could be on the cards.

The Brazilian only joined the ranks at Camp Nou in 2018 move to Italy appeared to be on the cards at one stage, with Roma reaching an agreement with Bordeaux.

Barca were to hijack that deal and push through a £36 million ($46m) transfer of their own.

Big things were expected of the South American in Catalunya, but he has become a fringe figure.

Malcom has figured in just 19 games this season, while making only three La Liga starts.

Exit speculation surfaced within months of his arrival in Catalunya, and a lack of action since has sparked further transfer talk.

Milan, along with rivals Inter, have been heavily linked with the 22-year-old, as well as Premier League side Tottenham.

Malcom’s representative has, however, rubbished claims that discussions with suitors have already been opened.

Luis Fernandi Menez Garcia told Mundo Deportivo when quizzed on the Milan links: “I’m not talking to any club.”

He also pointed out that he is the only person who can discuss Malcom’s future, so reports of others entering into talks on his behalf are wide of the mark.

A highly-rated forward has offered no suggestion that he is looking for a way out of Barca.

Exit speculation surfaced within months of his arrival in Catalunya, with Malcom posting on social media back in November: “About news that came out here in Spain, I want to clarify this: I came to Barcelona with many objectives, and those who know me know that I am a very determined person.

“I’m very happy with my development with every passing day. My objective is to make my dreams come true.

“My family is also adapting very well to the city. Anyway, I’ll continue fighting for everything I desire in my career.”

There does not appear to have been any relaxing of that stance, with Malcom still chasing down a treble in 2018-19.

Barcelona can wrap up the Liga title this weekend, while they are also through to the Copa del Rey final and semi-finals of the Champions League.

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The Blancos fell to their 10th Liga loss of the season against the club that started the day bottom of the table and provoked the ire of their coach

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane admitted that he just wanted to see the current season come to a close after his team suffered yet another damaging Liga defeat. 

Rayo Vallecano inflicted the 10th reverse of the league season on Zidane’s demoralised troops, Adrian Embarba’s penalty proving the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win for the relegation battlers. 

It is the first time that Rayo have beaten their more illustrious neighbours in La Liga for more than 20 years and a result that all but condemns the Merengue to third place in 2018-19, a repeat of last season’s finish under Zidane.

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Madrid have fallen further behind champions Barcelona and Atletico Madrid since the Frenchman returned to the job he left last summer, and he could not hide his fury at an abject performance on Sunday. 

“We did nothing from the first minute to the last,” Zidane fumed to reporters after the game. 

“Sometimes you can’t score, but you have chances. We didn’t play at all. We have to be very angry, I am. Because we left a bad image today and I am responsible, not just the players. We have to apologise for what we did today.

“It would be better for the season to end as soon as possible. We have three games left and we have to play them. We cannot finish like that, giving that image. 

“In the end nothing I had planned today came off, what I thought of the team or the strategy. We have to respect the game of football, respect this club and we have to finish these three games because we are going to have to play better than today.

“What we saw today is unacceptable.”

The end of the current season is expected to herald a drastic overhaul of the Madrid squad, who also suffered early eliminations in the Champions League and Copa del Rey prior to Zidane’s arrival. 

One of the players tipped to leave is Gareth Bale, and his coach deflected questions over what the future held for the Wales international: “I don’t know, you will have to ask him.

“It was everything today: our attitude, our play. We did not offer anything in the duels or running. There are tough games but today we didn’t do anything that we should have done on the field. 

“I will always defend my players. This happened today, but it is not just their fault. I am to blame, I put the team out and prepare for matches. And we did everything wrong. I must have something to do with it.”

Madrid will be back in action next Sunday at home to Villarreal, before closing out an underwhelming campaign with clashes against Real Sociedad and Betis.

The shot-stopper has made three errors leading to goals in his last four appearances, and cost the Reds two points at Old Trafford on Sunday

If David de Gea is dropped by Manchester United, the club could lose their number one “forever” according to Graeme Souness.

De Gea spilled a simple Antonio Rudiger shot two minutes before half-time when United took on Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday to allow Marcos Alonso a close-range equaliser. 

The blunder came after mistakes against Barcelona and Manchester City also cost the Reds, and De Gea has now made three errors that have led to goals in his last four appearances.

But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted after the game that he was right not to drop De Gea against Chelsea , and Souness agrees it would be a mistake to remove the Spain international from the team. 

“You leave him out, I think you lose him forever,” Souness said on Sky Sports .

“There would still be a queue for him. If Ole was to leave him out, and he brought in someone who didn’t do well, you’ve then lost the guy you’ve trusted for seven, eight years. And you’d end up having to buy someone else.

“You’ve got to stick with him. Credit is a big thing in football. The supporters love him and you saw that at half-time.”

Red Devils legend Gary Neville also believes De Gea should retain the number one spot, citing the 28-year-old’s impressive form in recent seasons for United.

“There are some players who build up enough credit during their careers, that you play them through,” Neville said.

“Let’s say Wayne Rooney had a bad time – didn’t score in 12 games for Manchester United. If he’s had five, six years at the club playing like he has, you don’t just ditch someone like that after five, six, seven games. It’s not a young player coming into the club that’s struggling. 

“He [De Gea] has been outstanding. He’s been the best player at Manchester United, the only top player at Manchester United for the last five or six years.”

The slip-up from De Gea cost his team a valuable two points that would have drawn them level with fourth-placed Chelsea, but they now remain three points adrift of the Champions League qualifications places with two games remaining. 

Brumbies winger Henry Speight will join Irish province Ulster on a short-term loan contract.

Speight will move to Kingspan Stadium later this month in a similar deal to that which saw fellow Brumbies player Christian Lealiifano arrive in Belfast last season.

He will return to Australia on 31st December, in advance of the 2019 Super Rugby season.

The opportunity to play in the Pro14 and emulate Lealiifano played a large part in Speight deciding to head north for the loan spell.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to represent a big club like Ulster,” Speight said.“I’ve spoken to Christian (Lealiifano) a lot regarding this move and he had only great things to say about the staff, players, supporters and wider community, which welcomed him with open arms.

“This is a fresh challenge for me and I hope to embrace it by relishing every moment and by adding value to the group as best I can. I can’t wait to arrive in Belfast and get to work with my new teammates.”

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar was supportive of the move.

“We are fully supportive of Henry joining Ulster for the first months of the Pro14 season,” he said.

“Henry has been at the Brumbies for eight years now and this is a great opportunity for him to experience a new environment and culture”

Our squad is coming together nicely, and Henry Speight will once again play an integral role for the Brumbies in the 2019.

“We wish him luck in his spell in Ireland and look forward to welcoming him back for pre-season in January.”

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Reds coach Brad Thorn has refused to dwell on his team’s season-halting loss to the Chiefs, pointing instead to the young team’s “gutsy” effort in Hamilton and the bright future that lies ahead.

Youth has been a dirty word this season at Ballymore as the Reds banished excuses while hunting their first Super Rugby finals appearance in six years.

But as their chances evaporated in the heartbreaking 19-13 loss, Thorn pointed out the Reds’ reality – that they are a young group still coming to terms with the consistency required at the highest levels despite refusing to say die.

“It was gutsy. It went down to the wire at the end there and disappointing not to get that result,” Thorn said of just failing to get across the line from an 80th minute drive for a try that could have pinched a crucial win.

“For us, the first half I felt we were mainly hurting ourselves – putting kicks out on the full or guys executing little things – but it was a slugfest in the end and we didn’t quite get across the line.”

Thorn may be a Kiwi but having grown up in Queensland and played State of Origin footy, the dual international draws on the mythology of the maroon jumper as much as any league coach.

“I’m very proud of the boys, they love their rugby in New Zealand and I may be a New Zealander but I grew up in Queensland and the maroon jersey means a lot to us and they’re doing the maroon jersey proud,” he said.

“They just won’t go away. And to me that’s Queenslanders.”

The Reds’ Super Rugby finals charge suffered a fatal blow in the Hamilton heartbreak. Queensland hammered the Chiefs line in the final stages of the match with an unlikely win on the cards after they clawed their way to within six points of the home side following a try to Taniela Tupou that got them back in touch.

Without captain Samui Kerevi – rested under Rugby Australia’s workload management policy – and missing several regulars through injury, the Reds were massive underdogs.

But they had a mountain of possession in the final minutes, including an 80th minute lineout that they won and pushed across the Chiefs’ line for what could have been a match-winning try.

But the Chiefs stood tall, pilfering the ball from the Reds on their own line with their 242nd tackle of the match to end the Queenslanders’ charge for the Australian conference title.

Izack Rodda, who captained the team in place of Kerevi, was proud of his charges despite the loss.

“The second half was a cracker from both sides and in the last five minutes we were on their line just going and going and going,” Rodda said.

“But credit to the Chiefs for holding us out, that was an amazing effort.”

The stats suggest the game should have gone to the Reds.

With an amazing 193 carries, almost exactly double the number from the Chiefs, and having to make only a third of the tackles of their rivals, the Reds had ample opportunity.

Twice they were denied tries by the TMO as Angus Scott-Young and Alex Mafi were pinged for promoting the football, while they conceded more turnovers than their rivals and were guilty again of kicking the ball away as they took poor options at vital stages.

“That’s always frustrating,” Rodda said of the TMO rulings. “But I just told the guys to keep at it, keep doing our game plan and it would work.”

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But in what is shaping as the story of their season, it was simple errors that let them down.

“Little errors can cost you games like that and we’ve just got to build on that stuff,” Rodda said.

In a bright spot for Queensland, young prop Harry Hoopert has escaped serious injury despite being taken from the field on a medicab early in the second half after the game was stopped for several minutes as he lay prone after an awkward tackle.

The Reds showed excellent patience and control early, holding the ball for 19 phases before being denied by the TMO when Angus Scott-Young was ruled to have made a second effort to propel himself over the tryline.

The Chiefs looked to have made the most of their reprieve when Etene Nanai-Seturo crossed just minutes later but the TMO was again called into action and ruled that the winger’s hand had separated from the ball as he went to plant it.

The Chiefs were not held out for long though, scoring through no.8 Pita Sowakula after he jinked and barged his way through some flimsy Reds defence after the visitors failed to put their kick into touch.

Bryce Hegarty was dismal with the boot against the Waratahs, managing just one from six but he was on song straight away, slotting a penalty in the 12th minute to help the Reds claw the margin back to four points.

The Reds had plenty of possession but could not translate that into point and it was the Chiefs that were over next, Atu Moli barging over to extend their lead to 12-3.

Queensland was over the line again late in the first term but Alex Mafi was denied after crawling his way forward after being tackled, the TMO turning down a third try for the period.

But with the referee playing advantage, Hegarty slotted his second penalty and the Reds seemed set to go into the break in touch.

Where the Reds were unable to capitalise on their chances, the Chiefs made the most of theirs though and when their shift to the left resulted in a try to Nanai-Seturo, they were up 13 points at the break and the Reds season was on life support.

Hoopert was taken from the field on a medicab in the 50th minute, the game stopped for several minutes as he lay on the turf following an awkward tackle in which he stung his neck and shoulder.

Despite the scare, he was able to return to the bench for the Reds, providing relief for his parents who had travelled across the Tasman to watch their son play.

His injury seemed to spur his teammate though, who were finally able to score when Taniela Tupou crossed after another patient building of pressure.

Hegarty’s conversion brought the deficit back to just six points but the Reds were unable to land the final blow despite a mountain of ball in the dying stages.

RESULT

Chiefs 19

Tries: Pita Sowakula, Atu Moli, Etene Nanai-Seturo

Cons: Marty McKenzie 2

Reds 13

Tries: Taniela Tupou

Cons: Bryce Hegarty

Pens: Hegarty 2

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The Waratahs turned to Air Izzy and a impressively strong defence to upset the Crusaders at the SCG, and bring the Kiwi champion’s record 19-game winning streak to an end.

On an emotional return to the field for the Crusaders after their game was cancelled last week, the NSW side led from start to finish in the 20-12 win; their first victory over the defending champions since 2015.

On a slippery night, the Waratahs strategically built a game around a strong and disciplined defensive effort, and a kicking game designed for the superstar in no.15 named Israel Folau.

Folau instrumental in two of the Waratahs’ three tries, setting up one and scoring another to equal Doug Howlett’s all-time Super Rugby try-scoring record of 59.

Both came from high kicks and on confidence-building night for the Waratahs, the clinical execution of a pre-game tactic to attack the Crusaders from the air was on the dais for positives.

The Crusaders came into the game off a difficult preparation, after the horrific events of Christchurch – which were remembered in a moment’s silence joined by both teams in the centre of the SCG.

In the wet, the Kiwi powerhouse side “dropped enough ball for the whole year”, according to coach Scott Roberston, but credit had to go too to the pressure of the Waratahs’ defence.

Led by another 20-tackle performance from skipper Michael Hooper, the Tahs muscled up in contact and critically never lost shape and discipline, which in turn never let the Crusaders get their attack behind the NSW line.

“They’re the benchmark team and have been for two years, so it gives our team a lot of confidence that we can compete with the best,” Gibson said.

“We had a clear gameplan tonight, which we executed for large parts of that game.

“We learned a great deal from last year’s fixture with the Crusaders and this year we were able to be far more consistent and apply that pressure for far longer.

“We knew what we were up for in their defence, and there is not a lot of space to attack, so we decided to go for a different strategy for this game.”

Hooper praised the Waratahs’ defence and said the performance would help his team understand they can win games a number of ways.

“It’s a big confidence builder,” Hooper aid.

“Like Daryl is talking about with defence, it is taking confidence … and building in that area of the game.

‘Knowing that, yeah, ok, we had 42 per cent of possession but we knocked off a team that has been beaten 20 games.

“Sometimes we are not going to be running in tries from all over the field. It is about building a win, and tonight we built a win against a team that has so much variation in attack. When we had the ball, we struck.”

Robertson said the team had endured a tough week but were simply off the pace at the SCG.

“We were really desperate to play well, and represent our people and show how much we care. You could see how hard we worked but we dropped enough ball for the whole season, so that’s out of our system now,” he said.

“It was a tough week but look, we are Crusaders, we don’t make excuses. We just needed to be better at a lot of parts of the game tonight.”

Crusaders skipper Sam Whitelock said the Waratahs had played well, and unlike in last year’s clash in Christchurch where the Kiwis came from back from 29-0 to beat the Tahs, they failed to rally because they were “their own worst enemy”.

“They were really up for it, and they were last year as well, but we didn’t allow ourselves to come back,” Whitelock said.

“We dropped enough ball and that took the pressure off them. Good sides take those opportunities.”

Robertson lauded Folau’s strike power, saying he should be an astronaut given how effective he is when he leaves terra firma.

“He should work for NASA, he’s that good in the air isn’t he?” he said.

The Waratahs led 15-7 at halftime after scoring two tries in the opening half, and almost three.

The Waratahs opened the scoring early after playing for territory and getting a crack at the Crusaders in their red zone.

A powerful Jed Holloway run folding around the corner saw the NSW lock bump through the attempted tackle of Whetu Douglas and stroll over for an easy seven-pointer.

Showing signs of rust after a week off – and with rain affecting handling – the Crusaders coughed up a fair amount of possession and couldn’t get into a rhythm.

The Tahs were more clinical, and mirroring their 2018 gameplan, went to the air with a mid-field kick for Israel Folau.

It worked again, too, and after Folau re-gathered a Foley bomb, he passed to Cam Clark and the winger raced away to score his second try in as many games against the Crusaders.

Crusaders winger Braydon Ennor was denied the chance to chase after being tripped by a teammate but he saved a try soon after.

A post-turnover run down the sideline by Alex Newsome was followed by Foley chipping and chasing into open space. He won the race but Ennor’s last-ditch tackle forced a knock-on over the line.

The Crusaders got back into the game when they finally pinned NSW in their own half, and from a lineout, scored a try with a nice – but dubiously executed – set move.

Playing off the top, Codie Taylor passed back inside to winger George Bridge and though replays looked like it was forward, the speedster cruised in untouched.

The score moved to 12-7 but the Tahs their lead back out to 15-7 at halftime after Foley nailed a penalty in the 38th minute.

The second half saw the two sides scrap and claw for every metre, and the scoring rate dried up.

The Waratahs defence held firm when the Crusaders tried to mount sustained pressure, and responded well to turnover threats too.

The Crusaders had the chance to draw a little closer when they went for a penalty shot in the 57th minute but Mitchell Hunt missed the kick.

When it became clear this would a dog fight until the end, the Waratahs bafflingly elected to not take a kickable shot five minutes later to extend their lead to 11, and instead went for the corner. 

The ball was turned over but it didn’t cost too much, with the Waratahs defence holding firm – and the air Izzy tactic again paying dividends.

The Tahs scored in the 74th minute when they rolled into the Crusaders’ territory and won a penalty advantage.

Foley lobbed a speculative kick across the face of the posts and after the ball came out of the pack and bounced, Folau pounced and touched it down.

TEAMS

Waratahs to face Crusaders

1. Harry Johnson-Holmes

2. Damien Fitzpatrick

3. Sekope Kepu

4. Jed Holloway

5. Rob Simmons

6. Ned Hanigan

7. Michael Hooper

8. Jack Dempsey

9. Nick Phipps

10. Bernard Foley

11. Alex Newsome

12. Kurtley Beale

13. Adam Ashley-Cooper

14. Cam Clark

15. Israel Folau

16. Andrew Tuala

17. Rory O’Connor

18. Chris Talakai

19. Lachlan Swinton

20. Michael Wells

21. Jake Gordon

22. Mack Mason

23. Karmichael Hunt

Crusaders to face Waratahs

1. George Bower

2. Codie Taylor

3. Owen Franks

4. Quinten Strange

5. Sam Whitelock

6. Jordan Taufua

7. Matt Todd

8. Whetu douglas

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9. Bryn Hall

10. Brett Cameron

11. George Bridge

12. Ryan Crotty

13. Jack Goodhue

14. Braydon Ennor

15. David Havili

Reserves

16. Andrew Makalio

17. Harry Allan

18. Michael Alaalatoa

19. Luke Romano

20. Tom Sanders

21. Ereatara Enari

22. Mitch Hunt

23. Will Jordan