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'You've got to go again': Waratahs out to prove beating Crusaders was no fluke

Tate Edmed wins the race for the loose ball for the Waratahs. Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Intent on not being one-hit wonders, the NSW Waratahs have swiftly shifted their focus to claiming another prized scalp following their shock Super Rugby Pacific victory over the champion Crusaders.

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After three ordinary trial showings and a season-opening loss to the Queensland Reds, the Waratahs were the talk of the tournament after upending the Crusaders 37-24 in Melbourne.

“We simplified it a lot. The game plan was just to carry a lot harder, connect and just compete and scrap for everything,” said try-scoring lock Hugh Sinclair.

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“It felt like we did that for the majority of the game.

“Look, they’re a good team. They’re definitely missing some players compared to the year before, but still they’ve got some players there that won multiple Super Rugby titles.

“So you’ve got to be happy with that, but we also know we’re one and one early in the season and it’s not a very long season.

“So you’ve got to go again.”

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Dogged by inconsistency in recent seasons, Sinclair said the Tahs only celebrated briefly in the AAMI Park sheds last Saturday night before pledging to get straight back to work in preparation for Friday’s hosting of the Highlanders in Sydney.

“We just parked it there. We knew we had a short turnaround,” he said.

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“Obviously people are calling this a massive upset. If we want to be a good team, we’re just calling it a win and the good teams go again and back it up.

“At the end of the year, does anyone care about us beating the Crusaders if we don’t back it up and get into the finals or what-not?

“You probably just wasted the season then otherwise.

“So we know we’ve got to go again and the Highlanders, they’re a different beast this year.

“I really like what they’re doing.”

While the Waratahs are trying to keep a lid on things, Sinclair did concede upsetting the Crusaders had given the squad a burst of energy.

“Even on the bus back to the hotel, the week before is like a funeral,” he said.

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“Then, after a win like that, you’re chirping a bit and you’re talking about the game and, yeah, bouncing on Monday.”

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PM 59 minutes ago
Why Henry Pollock's x-factor could earn him a Lions Test start

Nick,

I am a long suffering England fan, who has had to endure watching 4 years of dull rugby, poor selections and painful defeats. Steve Borthwick talks about GPS and picks squads by numbers and then we put in a poor performance on the pitch - it’s been a consistent trend.


Something changed in the Six Nations and we totally changed our style (literally overnight) and played some really good footie, which finally felt like positive rugby for a change.


Genge has regained his pore-Covid form and is looking back to his best and is head and shoulders above Porter.


Chessum has had a good year and hasn’t played a poor International game this season.


Tom Curry was outstanding in the 6 Nations but they have been playing him at 6, wheras he is better at 7 and is lethal at the breakdown.


Tom Willis was brought into the starting team at 8 and has been one of the best England players over the last year, who should have been on this Lions tour at 8. Earl had his best game since 2020 last week - not sure 1 game warrants Lions selection over a poor combination side and he is certainly second choice for his club 7 country behind Willis.


Pollock will be a good player but like all young emerging players, he is inconsistent and can go quiet in games, which is why Curry should be the starter at 7. He brings energy to games, which is why he is good from the bench but there is an argument to say he is the 5th best England openside (Curry x2, Underhill & Earl are currently better) but will improve over the next 5 years. We just need to stop the media building him up for a fall, let him play and develop and you will see a sensational Henry Pollock for the Lions in 4 years time.


Lions will be too powerful over 80 mins, so doesn’t really matter who they pick. Just please don’t put too much hype on Pollock. His 20 mins of International rugby going into this tour were positive but the media caused a frenzy and no other player would be selected on this basis.


Let’s enjoy the rugby and give Pollock the space and time he requires.

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