NSW Waratahs wanted to play Brumbies in semi-final, and will now get to do so

IN the middle of a hill-running session in Coogee last Tuesday, the Waratahs stopped and spoke of their finals wish - a showdown with the Brumbies.

Michael Hooper on the attack for NSW. NSW Waratahs Vs ACT Brumbies Saturday 28th June 2014. Pic: Mitch Cameron

IN the middle of a surprise hill-running session in Coogee last Tuesday, the Waratahs stopped and spoke of their finals predicament.

With panting breath, players and staff discussed the possible outcomes for their path to the grand final, with games to come between the Brumbies and Chiefs, and Sharks and Highlanders that would decide who they faced at Allianz Stadium this Saturday.

“We had a bit of a talk in the middle of that hill-running session,” NSW coach Michael Cheika said.

“Everyone had been talking at length about the different scenarios. The players hadn’t been in this position before; sitting back waiting for teams to play so we could discover who we’d be playing.

“We were all breathing quite heavily, but that is where I wanted to have this conversation; not in a meeting room, but doing something tough.

“I told them if we’re going to do this, we need to do it against the hardest teams, to gain respect.

“Then there can’t be any talk about luck, or it was a fluke, or this team was coming back from South Africa.

“Where we are as a team, we need to do it through the toughest route possible, to establish ourselves. It is the only way to prove ourselves.

“So we spoke about the outcome we wanted, which was to play the Brumbies, who as the fourth-ranked team was the highest possible ranked side we could play in the semis, and then play the highest-ranked opposition in the final, which is the Crusaders.

“Maybe three or four years into a period of success you can do it another way. And this is no disrespect to the other teams, but this year we want to beat the best possible teams if we’re to win the title.”

It is typical of the no-corners-cut mentality of Cheika, but it also presents one of the toughest tasks any side would have to face to claim the premiership.

The Brumbies are Australia’s most successful Super Rugby franchise, and the Crusaders are the most successful franchise of all time.

And despite hammering the Brumbies 39-8 just three weeks ago, the Tahs will face an altogether different beast this Saturday with Wallaby stars Matt Toomua, Sam Carter, Joe Tomane, Pat McCabe all missing from that game, while prop Ruaidhri Murphy was forced to start at hooker in the absence of Josh Mann-Rea, who has also returned.

Cheika noted that after the Brumbies’ victory in Canberra last Saturday, players including Toomua, Nic White and Ben Alexander were interviewed by Fox Sports and wanted to play NSW rather than the Crusaders.

“I’ve always known the Brumbies to be a little bit more guarded, so I found it very interesting that on the television coverage they were talking about wanting to face us,” Cheika said.

“They obviously think they can beat us more than they can beat the Crusaders.

“They were showing that they feel we’re an easier target.”

Brumbies captain Ben Mowen, who described the thrilling elimination final as their “best performance in the last three years”, did not hide his enthusiasm for a showdown against NSW, with each team having beaten the other this year.

“I think it’s massive, from the supporters’ point of view, you get two really in-form sides going up against each other,” Mowen said.

“It’s a game apiece this season so you essentially get a decider.

“You’re guaranteed an Australian side in the grand final, and obviously playing at the SFS is a real bonus, that’s going to be an amazing experience for guys to play at a full house there, it will do wonders for Australian rugby.

“There’s plenty on the table there, and from our point of view, we want to get up there and spoil it.”

Tahs enforcer Jacques Potgieter last week described his side’s title charge as “unstoppable”, to which Mowen responded: “We’ll see”.

“[Our] goal was never to make the finals, the goal was to win the championship,” Mowen added.

“To play your best two games going into a knockout semi-final is exactly where we want to be.”

Brumbies coaching director Laurie Fisher said playing in Sydney will be “fantastic, it’s like a home game for us”.

Originally published as NSW Waratahs wanted to play Brumbies in semi-final, and will now get to do so