Nobody likes going into work on a Monday morning, but spare a thought for the Waratahs squad when they trudge in for their upcoming horror video review session at their training base in Sydney.
The 35-15 defeat against the Reds will make difficult viewing, not simply because of the gulf on the scoreboard, but how the Waratahs lost concentration at the most critical moments in the game.
The Waratahs entered the game full of confidence after three wins at home in Sydney and started brilliantly with their physical dominance rewarded with a well-taken try from winger Triston Reilly.
The NSW performance in the opening minutes will be what the squad hangs onto this week. Ferocious in defence and ambitious in attack, the Waratahs had successfully silenced the 20,000-strong crowd in Brisbane.
The reality check came at 13 minutes and was brutal. Fullback Andrew Kellaway was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle of his Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson and from there, the Waratahs’ carefully laid defensive structures spectacularly combusted.
Reds fullback Heremaia Murray gathered a loose kick, looked up, spotted that there was nobody covering for Kellaway in the backfield and chipped through to gather a gift of a try.
The game was played at a brutal pace with huge shots coming from both sides, but ultimately, the Reds were able to weather the storm best and Wilson muscled over for their second try to extend the home side’s lead. Wilson’s nose was stuffed with tissues to stem blood streaming, and he was joined by teammates and opposition who will wake up tomorrow with sore and stiff bodies.
The Reds extended their lead through replacement Richie Asiata who rumbled over after a 22-metre rolling maul with the Waratahs helpless to stop it. Waratahs coach Dan McKellar is renowned for his expertise in mauls and his forwards will be braced for a rough few days on the training paddock.
At the start of the second half Wallabies breakaway Fraser McReight celebrated his new three-year contract with a well-taken try, dummying Kellaway to finish in the corner, but worryingly for Australian rugby fans he then went down clutching his shoulder, eventually leaving the field and using a sling.
Second-rower Angus Blyth’s try put the game beyond reach for the Waratahs, who eventually responded with a late try from replacement Langi Gleeson to add a tiny bit of polish to an otherwise brutal scoreboard.
Life doesn’t get any easier for the Waratahs with a major challenge against a resurgent Brumbies back home in Sydney next Saturday. That will be followed by a visit to Wellington to take on the Hurricanes.
Fraser McReight of the Reds takes on the defenceCredit: Getty Images
Despite the comprehensive defeat, the Waratahs have some cause for optimism. Despite spilling the ball when the try-line was begging, Teddy Wilson showed he can in time become a worthy successor to his captain Jake Gordon at halfback.
With the tiny amount of possession he had Max Jorgensen was dangerous and Henry O’Donnell was committed and brave in defence.
It is not how you start, it is how you end and the Waratahs will rue missed opportunities and lapses in concentration against their oldest rival in Brisbane.
