Super12 - Round Four

Waratahs 44 defeated Cats 21 (Sydney)

I've got to tell you - straight off the bat - that it is very hard not to get carried away with the Waratahs' early season success; their best start ever in the Super12. And that's because the signs are all good (or if not quite good, then at least promising).

1) They are a young and enthusiastic side, but count amongst their rank a number of seasoned veterans with invaluable experience.
2) They have depth in most positions, though injuries in the front row may prove costly later in the season. Any team that has depth to the extent that the likes of Sam Harris and Luke Inman can't even secure a bench spot is in pretty good shape. And Jone Tawake and General Noriega have yet to return from injury.
3) Three from three on the road.
4) A good track record at home.
5) The very real chance of having 24 out of a possible 25 points by the end of Round Five, meaning they would likely only have to win three out of their last six matches (with a couple of bonus points) to make the semis for the first time.

However, the vibe around the Waratahs at present must be tempered. Yes - they are off to a great start, and yes - the balance in the team seems about right. BUT - their first four victories have been against the bottom four teams of the competition. The second half of the draw will be much tougher for the Waratahs, where they will be playing the likes of the Highlanders, Brumbies, Reds, and Crusaders. In a season where form has thus far counted for much more than home ground advantage, the Waratahs actually have the best possible draw. These first four (and quite possibly five) victories will hopefully give the team the momentum to beat some of the other top sides over the coming weeks, and make the semis for the first time ever. And if they do that, anything's possible.

Saturday's game lived up to expectations as a lopsided affair. The Waratahs played brilliantly in patches, but too often wasted possession with poor handling - a symptom of their malignant tendency to drop the ball with frustrating regularity in previous seasons.

Though the Cats were never really in the match, they did make some headway in the second half as Waratah coach Bob Dwyer gave his reserves a run. Indeed, throughout the game the Waratahs' defence looked brittle at times, and would have yielded more points against higher caliber opposition. There is still much for NSW to work on, but the team has had the opportunity to fine tune its play against the competition's minnows before playing the big boys next month.

Simon Kasprowicz made a promising debut in the starting XV. The backrow quintet of he, Phil Waugh, David Lyons, Jone Tawake, and Des Tuiavii (pronounced Too-ee-a-vee-ee by the NZ commentators, who have much experience with Islander names), gives NSW unprecedented depth at these crucial positions.

Mark Stcherbina was outstanding on the left wing, Nathan Grey had another big game, and - in positions which have long proven problematic for Waratah teams - halves Chris Whitaker and Duncan McRae were case studies in perpetual motion.

- Dan Fowell

Brumbies 45 defeated Bulls 35 (Pretoria)

In a match that very nearly provided the greatest upset in Super12 history, the Bulls scored a significant moral victory over the ACT Brumbies, who only just managed to win on the scoreboard. For if ever there was a David v Goliath contest, this was surely it. The Bulls, universally disparaged over the past week for being hopelessly inept and a disgrace to the good name of the Super12, dug deep and produced a level of play which, I strongly suspect, would have astounded them even more than their loyal fans, who - in the face of common sense and reason - continue to show up week after week to support this most frustrating of teams. Finally, their support was rewarded with a passionate and uplifting performance by the Bulls, and though it didn't produce the ultimate fairytale ending (so elusive in modern sport), it was just about as good as a win. For eighty minutes, all was forgiven. And the Bulls walked off the field with their heads held high.

For the Brumbies, on the other hand, this will be seen as a defeat. In the end, their superior fitness and skillfulness saved the day, but this was very nearly the one that got away. Stirling Mortlock played exceptionally well, but was once again inconsistent with the boot. I have always suspected that this would one day cost the Brumbies another match - as it did against the Crusaders in the 2000 Super12 final - but I never though it might be against the Bulls. Had the Bulls possessed a better kicker, they most probably would have won. Other players of note were Graeme Bond, George Smith and Jeremy Paul.

For the Bulls, Victor Matfield and Giscaard Pieters (whose head is arrestingly ugly) deserve praise for their play. I hope, for the sake of the Super12 and South African rugby, that the Bulls can rediscover this form in upcoming matches. In light of this performance, they deserve a victory.

- Dan Fowell

Crusaders 34 defeated Reds 27 (Brisbane)

I know all you Reds supporters out there will be mightily disappointed with this defeat, and not without reason, for this was definitely not a top shelf performance by the Reds. They struggled for continuity as their forwards failed to assert themselves against the Crusaders' pack in the set pieces and at the breakdown, and the backs lacked structure in attack.

However, the Reds have had the great misfortune of playing three of the competitions' better teams (Brumbies, Blues and Crusaders) in the first four rounds, and have come away with a victory and two losses (plus their expected victory over the Chiefs). All things considered, not too bad, particularly given that the Reds are notoriously slow starters.

On current form, they should win at least four of their next five matches, and that should see them right in contention for a berth in the semi-finals. Yet the problem that continues to vex the Queensland coaching staff - the 'Bane of McBain', as it were - is that they have one of the hottest backlines in the Super12, with the likes of Latham, Tune, Sailor, Herbert & Baby Kefu, but seldom create the platform or the offensive structure to fully utilise all this fire power. More often than not, when you see some brilliance in the Reds' backline, it is more likely to come as a result of a piece of individual brilliance than it is from a set backline play.

Now, the Reds, to their credit, are doing their level best to reinvent themselves under Coach McBain, and play so-called "Brumbies" rugby. But old habits die hard, and they are definitely the least sexy Australian side. Still, they are also solid in defence, and have few weaknesses. They may sometimes win ugly, but they win often, and will continue to do so.

Big Dell should also get to strut his stuff against the South African sides, and break that first try hoodoo. Meanwhile, the Reds have a bye this week to regroup and work out how they might reduce the number of errors in their play and how to more effectively maintain possession and build multi-phase play. Then they're off to Palmerston North to play the Hurricanes - a match which they must win. It will also be the first time that Sailor and Lomu will be playing on the same field, though it is unlikely that they will marking one another.

- Dan Fowell