Super Rugby 2016: Waratahs rebound to down Chiefs

The NSW Waratahs played not like their Super Rugby season was on the line, but their very lives.

Michael Hooper scores one of his two tries against the Chiefs. Picture: Mark Evans.

The Waratahs played not like their Super Rugby season was on the line, but their very lives.

The NSW team knew if they lost to the Chiefs at Allianz Stadium in Sydney last night their chances of winning the Australian conference title would have been remote.

But they produced their best game of the year to upset the Chiefs 45-25 and stay on top of the Australian conference. There are only three games left in the regular season after the June break. The only negative for the Waratahs was that they did not come away with a bonus point for scoring three or more tries than the Chiefs.

If the Brumbies beat the Sunwolves in Canberra tonight with a bonus point, they will be equal with the Waratahs on 34 points. You could see from the opening whistle the Waratahs were up for it.

With veteran No 8 Wycliff Palu setting the tone physically, they fought, they scrapped, they niggled, they got in the Chiefs’ faces.

It was not flashy. They played direct, they played hard, but in the end they beat the Chiefs at their own game with a superb display of offloading, New Zealand-style, in a six tries to four scoring feast. Waratahs captain Michael Hooper scored his first career double, while outside centre Israel Folau was simply outstanding, causing havoc for the Chiefs’ defence.

Folau scored a critical intercept try from 95m out in the first half, was instrumental in a try to rookie fullback Andrew Kellaway and then scored another try midway through the second half.

Bouncing back from their 19-point loss to the Crusaders last week, it was the Waratahs’ first win against a New Zealand team this season, putting a big dent in the Kiwi domination of Australian sides.

The only previous few losses to Australian teams were the Hurricanes to the Brumbies and Highlanders to the Reds.

The Waratahs led 17-13 at halftime after both teams scored two tries. NSW were anxious to make a good start after getting out of the blocks slowly in so many games and produced their best of the ­season.

Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson described the win as a season-defining moment.

“Very proud. Very proud. As a team we learnt a great deal last week against the Crusaders. I felt that I set the team up too defensively. This week we purposely let the reins go a bit and we wanted to come out and attack,” Gibson said.

“We got closer to the type of rugby that we want to play and be known for against the best team in New Zealand. Very happy to score 45 points.

“Three games to go in the regular season. That wins keeps us right in the hunt for the conference title. We often talk about season defining moments and for us the game had that air about it. We knew the consequences if we lost. It would make the path very difficult.

“The players attacked it with a great mindset. The faithful who turned up got rewarded.”

Gibson said the win against the Chiefs proved the much maligned Australian teams could compete with the New Zealanders.

“Australian teams have been criticised a lot about how we can’t play against New Zealand sides,” Gibson said.

“To put that in perspective the Chiefs are the number one team in New Zealand, rightly so.

“We’ve come out and we’ve gone toe to toe with a champion team and we performed very well.

“It shows given a dry track and the right mindset Australian teams can compete.”

Waratahs winger Matt Carraro sustained a groin injury in the 75th minute, but stayed on until the 79th because the bench had been emptied, which mean they effectively played the last five minutes with 14 men.