Tahs in with a chance at title
THE NSW Waratahs believe they are building nicely for another Super Rugby title after their best start to a season in 12 years.
The Waratahs’ 36- 17 bonuspoint triumph over the Queensland Reds shot them to the top of the Australian conference as serious doubts surfaced over their rivals’ ability to keep pace.
Queensland coach Brad Thorn ruled out recalling exiled playmaker Quade Cooper, despite the Reds’ pedestrian attack failing to trouble the Waratahs in a worrying thirdstraight defeat.
“Like I said at the start of the season, we’re going in a different direction,” Thorn said, after the Reds slipped 11 points behind the Waratahs.
After a flying start to 2018, the Rebels relinquished their conference lead with a deflating 25- 22 home loss to the Jaguares and face being without injured Wallabies halfback Will Genia for an arduous twogame tour of South Africa. Genia, Melbourne’s standout performer over the opening half of the competition, limped off with a hamstring injury before the Rebels blew a handy second- half advantage at AAMI Park.
“There’s a chance he won’t go to Africa. He’s got to have a scan on his hamstring,” Rebels coach Dave Wessels said.
The Brumbies also capitu- lated, a 43- 17 loss to the Highlanders in Dunedin consigning Australian franchises to a staggering 34th consecutive defeat at the hands of New Zealand opposition.
Little wonder the Waratahs are refusing to look beyond Friday night’s hosting of the Lions before shifting their focus to a challenging fourgame block against Kiwi outfits.
“We’re building,” coach Daryl Gibson said after the Waratahs improved to five wins and a draw from seven outings, their most promising start since going seven and one in 2006.
Sitting third overall, the Waratahs are rightfully wary of the second- placed Lions, who were losing finalists last year to the Crusaders.