‘They’ve always had everything’: The hatred driving Waratahs-Brumbies rivalry

A lot has happened in the 18 years since former Wallabies hooker Jeremy Paul played his last game for the Brumbies. He has raised children, moved homes and built a successful career in business.

But some old habits are harder to change. Despite 13 successive wins against the Waratahs for his former team, Paul still cannot get enough of “Tah week” and the prospect of winning in Sydney.

“The Brumbies was formulated with the rejects of the other states,” Paul said. “So even now, when you look at players that have come from other states – but predominantly through the Waratahs because they’re hopeless at identifying talent, they’ve let go so much talent – so you already have that hatred because you’ve been let go. So we had this really strong contingent of ex-Waratahs players, so there was already an instant hate.”

Despite the win ledger leaning so heavily towards the Brumbies, Paul believes that historical grievances of perceived unequal treatment still help drive the rivalry.

“Look at the Rebels and the players that they’ve [the Waratahs] picked up,” he said. “They picked up easily the best players, like Rob Leota, Big Nela [Taniela Tupou] and Andrew Kellaway.

The Waratahs and Brumbies get up close and personal in 2016.Credit: Getty Images

“It’s just always felt like that with the Tahs because the overarching thing here is, strong Waratahs, strong Rugby Australia. They’ve always had everything, and that’s always how every other state has felt.”

Paul is looking forward to seeing players use Saturday’s game in Sydney as a strong audition for the coming British and Irish Lions series and also the tactical clash between Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham and his former understudy in Canberra, now Waratahs coach Dan McKellar.

“This rivalry has built up over many, many years, feeling like the rejects, feeling like the Waratahs get everything, and then you got Wallabies positions up for grabs,” Paul said.

“And what about the interesting coaches battle; you’ve got Yoda and the apprentice. It’s just mouth-watering this contest.

“You want to keep that unbroken record, right? And so everything builds up inside you, and I can’t see how that hatred still could not be there. Tah week will never die.”

Jeremy Paul takes on the Waratahs in 2004 in Sydney.Credit: Getty Images

McKellar spent nine years at the Brumbies, five of them as head coach. After a year at Leicester, he understands the motivation his former side will bring to Sydney.

Asked on Thursday whether he believes the Brumbies’ dominance could end the rivalry, McKellar said it won’t happen.

“No chance, because I think both teams are desperately hungry to beat the other one, so that’ll never die,” he said.

After his time coaching in Canberra, McKellar knows the Waratahs will need to match the Brumbies physically from the outset.

“I think the DNA and what they stand for as a group is still pretty obvious,” he said. “You know that you got to be physical; you have to be really, really physical. If we want to change that [win] streak that’s being spoken about, we need to front up.”

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