The Waratahs staved off the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday night.
What are we talking about after that 20-15 win?
1. Waratahs still alive, Rebels battling for finals spot
Somehow, the Waratahs are still in contention for the Super Rugby finals after a critical victory in Melbourne.
It was NSW’s defence that really stepped up, particularly in a second half where the Rebels dominated possession.
Skipper Michael Hooper led the way with 20 tackles while Michael Wells (17) and Bernard Foley (16) weren’t far behind in those stakes.
Centre Adam Ashley-Cooper laid some timely hits when the momentum was against the Waratahs, slowing down a rampaging Marika Koroibete.
Defence has been a constant strength for the Waratahs this season and it was another gritty effort that kept their finals door open.
On the flipside, while the Rebels currently sit on top of the Australian Super Rugby conference, you’d be brave to suggest they’ll still be there after the Brumbies take on the Sunwolves on Saturday.
With two rounds to go, there is still a logjam from fifth to 10th in the competition and the Rebels simply have to win at least one of their final two matches to cling to a top eight spot.
2. Rebels left to rue errors
The Rebels were their own worst enemy for much of the night with basic handling errors and poor discipline the scourge of their evening.
A 6-2 half-time penalty count gave the Waratahs an early jumpstart with Bernard Foley able to slot two penalties in that opening 40.
Those penalties all but proved to be the ultimate difference at full-time and their ill-discipline was a factor that coach Dave Wessels was left frustrated by on Friday night.
They had plenty of chances in both halves and deep into the second 40 they were heaping the pressure on the Waratahs in attack only to turn it over at pivotal stages.
Will Miller and Harry Johnson-Holmes won two crucial turnovers at the breakdown in the final stages and that was emblematic of much of the match.
The Rebels conceded 22 turnovers to the Waratahs’ nine, a stat that says it all about the frustrations of the hosts in the clash.
It’s becoming an all-too-familiar pattern for the Rebels and it’s one they must buck before they arrive in Christchurch.
3. NSW win kicking duel
Both sides put faith in their kicking games on Friday night and it was the Waratahs who came out on top in that space.
While they had their missteps, the Waratahs spine took control in that space with Kurtley Beale particularly putting in some handy kicks.
Skipper Michael Hooper admitted that he had forgotten how lethal Beale could be with the boot and was pleasantly reminded on Friday night.
Both teams have potent backlines but for the second time this season, their clash became a kicking duel, with 80 kicks in play for the night.
Beale and his counterpart, Dane Haylett-Petty, swallowed up the kicks that came their way as well, providing some strong platform for their respective attack.
That the Waratahs took out that part of the game proved to be decisive and also showed that they have more strings to their bow than what appears on paper like an electric ball-in-hand backline.
4. No rest for the Waratahs after win
The Waratahs, by their own admission, are very much behind when it comes to resting their Wallabies players and as long as they are alive, Daryl Gibson says that won’t change.
With the win on Friday night, they’re still clinging to a chance of making finals.
Rob Simmons and Sekope Kepu are both yet to miss any games this season while Michael Hooper, Bernard Foley and Kurtley Beale all still need to sit out a second game as part of the Wallabies’ World Cup rotation policy.
The Waratahs face a must-win derby against the Brumbies in Parramatta next weekend before a trip to Dunedin in the final round.
He all but confirmed he would be playing his strongest side next weekend, leaving the Waratahs with the prospect of leaving five key players at home in a final round clash against the Highlanders.
If NSW are still in finals contention after next weekend, their Aussie rivals will almost certainly be keeping an eye on their selections.
All four franchises have had to leave big names out this year and if the Waratahs fall foul of the agreement, there will surely be come interesting conversations.
Watch this space.
5. Rona tackle could go under the microscope
One of the flashpoint moments on Friday was a clash between opposing wingers Curtis Rona and Marika Koroibete. Koroibete was charging for the line and Rona cut across to stop him in his path with a no-arms tackle.
Rebels coach Dave Wessels was arguing for a penalty try post-match and there would certainly be an argument in that, while the Waratahs conceded it was a no-arms tackle but that a penalty on its own was fair punishment.
Whether the incident goes any further will be intriguing for both sides to watch in the coming days.
If Rona is cited, the Rebels would have every right to feel aggrieved to have missed out on a near-certain try and they’ll have to hope that it doesn’t ultimately spell the difference between finals or another near-miss.
Outside of that moment, it was a stellar night for both the wingers who started their seasons in lacklustre fashion.
Koroibete was close to the Rebels’ best against the Waratahs while Rona looked as good as he has since switching to rugby from league.
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