Cheika praise for 'resilient' Tahs

Waratahs coach Michael Cheika was full of praise for his side's resilience in their win over the high-flying Hurricanes on Saturday.

In one of the best games of the season, the Waratahs ran in five tries to three on their way to a breathtaking 39-30 win.

The Tahs showed extraordinary tenacity in the face of adversity, overcoming a 17-point deficit by running in 24 points in as many minutes to storm home against a potent Hurricanes attack.

The bonus-point win catapults the Tahs to fourth overall on the table, only one point behind the Brumbies at the top of the Australian conference.

Cheika was most impressed as the Tahs refused to concede defeat despite trailing 7-24 on the half-hour mark.

"Part of our identity is not giving up," Cheika said.

"I think over the last year and a half we've found ourselves in some pretty difficult situations and more often than not we've come out on the right side of them," he added.

"I think this was the biggest hole we've been in and we were able to get ourselves out of it.  I was very proud of the boys."

Waratahs Captain Dave Dennis attributed the side's comeback to confidence in their ball in hand style of attacking rugby.

"We talked this week about not going away from how we want to play, and I think we won that game on the back of the belief we have as a team," Dennis said.

"We won by sticking to our attacking structure, putting pressure on the opposition when we had the ball and I think our directors, our nine and 10, were very good."The Ta

hs can now look forward to a week off, as they enjoy a Round 13 bye, before regrouping to fight the Lions in Sydney on Sunday, May 18.