Waratahs masters of their own destiny in quest to host Super Rugby grand final

A SHOCK defeat for the Sharks has given the Waratahs a simple equation if they want to host a Sydney grand final: win their next four games.

NEW PLYMOUTH, NEW ZEALAND - MAY 31: Will Skelton of the Waratahs is tackled during the round 16 Super Rugby match between the Chiefs and the Waratahs at Yarrow Stadium on May 31, 2014 in New Plymouth, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

A SHOCK defeat for the ladder-leading Sharks has given the Waratahs a simple equation if they want to host a Sydney grand final: win their next four games.

NSW (43 points) are second to the Sharks (45) but have a game in hand, meaning if the Tahs are victorious over the Brumbies, Highlanders and Reds when Super Rugby resumes later this month, they will finish the season as minor premiers and host a Sydney semi-final.

The Tahs notched their most important victory of the season, defeating reigning champions the Chiefs 33-17 in New Plymouth on Saturday — marking the first time they’ve won a game in New Zealand in four years.

And a few hours later, the Sharks suffered an upset 21-19 defeat to the Stormers when Jaco Taute kicked a last-minute field goal, giving the Tahs prime opportunity to take top spot after the June Test window.

The top two will host semi-finals, a huge advantage that history shows is near-impossible for travelling teams to overcome, and if the first-placed team wins their semi, they will also host the final.

“We want to be in the top two, everyone said that from day dot,” Waratahs halfback Nick Phipps said.

Waratahs backrower Michael Hooper runs the ball against the Chiefs.

“We’re sitting in the top two now, but there’s three games left that are pretty massive for us, two derbies and the Highlanders back at home. In the scheme of things we’re enjoying top two but we know we’ve got to keep working hard.”

The Waratahs are hoping that the Wallabies’ three-Test series against France does not reap a host of injuries, with 11 of Australia’s 32-man squad from NSW.

“We’re very happy, we know how big a win it is in the context of things, another four points, it is a bit of stall (for the June internationals) but it gives an opportunity for some of our boys who have been working their butts off all year to have another opportunity at international level,” said Phipps, one of NSW’s chosen Wallaby squad members.

“We’ve already talked about whoever is picked working hard, and the boys back home working hard, because we don’t want to stall that momentum when we come back to play the Brumbies. We want to be firing, we want to be back to our best brand of football.”

The three-tries-to-two win over the Chiefs has truly marked the Tahs as title contenders, with many Kiwi observers now tipping them as the team to beat.

“It’s something we definitely targeted, the Chiefs, even though they’ve had a few losses they’re still the best team in the comp,’’ said Phipps, who won the players’ player award on Saturday night for his robust, sniping and energetic display, and hopes to be given an opportunity by Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie as he fights Will Genia and Nic White for the halfback spot.

“The message that form is so important, from Ewen, has been something that’s pretty important to me and is driving not just me, but a lot of boys on,’’ Phipps said.

“If I was given the opportunity you know how honoured I’d be.

“The player that I am this year, compared to last year, and the year before, is pretty different.

“If I get a chance I’d love it, but that’s for people a lot smarter than me to decide.”

Originally published as Waratahs masters of their own destiny in quest to host Super Rugby grand final