Waratahs finally have a quality halves pairing and that’s why they can win Super Rugby title

WHY the Waratahs have never won a Super Rugby title builds into a long list yet the reasons they can is very short — Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps.

Check with Tim Morrisey before use -Waratahs Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps portrait at Allianz Stadium .Picture Gregg Porteous

WHY the NSW Waratahs have never won a Super Rugby title builds into a long list yet the reasons they can is very short … Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps.

The pedigree of any side to win the big finals matches that matter is the quality at halfback and flyhalf.

The Waratahs have never had a pair at No.9 and No.10 who purr so well together in their 18-year professional history as Foley and Phipps.

Their impact on a superb and pulsating 26-8 semi-final victory over the Brumbies last Saturday night was immense.

If it wasn’t Phipps making try-saving cover tackles on Tevita Kuridrani and Scott Fardy, it was Foley’s multiple touches in his match-clinching try.

Their sharp decision-making and linkwork makes it possible for all the other big Waratahs weapons to knock off the seven-time champions from Christchurch in Saturday’s final.

Waratah's flyhalf Bernard Foley dives over to score a try against the ACT Brumbies in the semifinal.

You know Andy Ellis and Colin Slade are quality generals for the Crusaders who really work in a threesome with inside centre Dan Carter’s big input.

Take a look at Waratahs history in the finals.

On their previous visits to the Super Rugby final in 2005 (Lachie Mackay) and 2008 (a teenage Kurtley Beale) the Waratahs No.10s were below the level needed to grab titles beside stalwart halfback Chris Whitaker.

The No.10s in the semi-final losses of 2002 (Duncan McRae) and 2006 (Daniel Halangahu) certainly were.

The 2010 (Luke Burgess-Berrick Barnes) and 2011 (Josh Holmes-Beale) sides that bowed out in the finals were not as grooved at 9-10 either.

Only sides with hot-shot pairings at halfback and flyhalf win the thing. Look at Justin Marshall with Andrew Mehrtens or Carter during the Crusaders’ best years or the two-title success when George Gregan and Steve Larkham were steering the Brumbies.

The playmaking of Fourie du Preez and Morne Steyn drove the Bulls to titles while the 2011 form of Quade Cooper and Will Genia was a halves masterclass in the Reds big year.

It is the proved DNA of champion teams and the Waratahs now have it. As Wallaby icon John Eales says: “Great teams have great combinations.”

Phipps’ teammates recognised all he put on the line to fell Kuridrani and Fardy, 15kg and 23kg heavier respectively, because he won the players’ player award.

“Our boys were making big shots in close so I guess it was up to us little blokes out wide to make the big ones as well,” Phipps said.

“That’s definitely our best defensive effort of the season. It was one of the most intense matches I’ve ever played.”

Now for something bigger and even more intense ... going toe-to-toe with Super Rugby’s most successful franchise and having the class at halfback and flyhalf to win.