Table-topping Tahs stay grounded
The Waratahs have quietly sneaked to the top of the Super Rugby standings and are suddenly fancied to win their maiden title.
However, Tahs coach Michael Cheika has made it clear to his charges that they must stay grounded, or any chance of a home Final – the best chance of winning the competition – could quickly fly out the door.
The Waratahs will be without captain Dave Dennis for the rest of their campaign, after the flank suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in their 39-8 demolition of the Brumbies at the weekend.
They are already assured of a spot in the play-offs, meaning the rampant Tahs have clinched their first-ever Australian Conference title.
However, victory over the Highlanders in Sydney on Sunday – assuming the Cheetahs upset the second-placed Sharks in Bloemfontein – could also secure them top spot on the table for the play-offs.
Even if the Sharks win, the Waratahs will retain the whip hand and inside running to host the August 2 grand finale if they preserve their unbeaten home record in 2014.
The team finishing top of the table have won 14 of the 18 Super titles since 1996.
Cheika, though, is refusing to look beyond Sunday.
He said "you don't have to be a genius" to realise one slip-up – either against the fourth-placed Highlanders or against the Reds in Brisbane in their final round could bring the Waratahs unstuck.
"I don't mean to be a smart Alec, but when things happen we'll look at it then," Cheika told the Australia Associated Press.
"If you're honest and real, you'll say: 'Well, nothing's doing yet'.
"When you've actually done something, then you can maybe enjoy the hype for a minute.
"But we're nowhere yet."
The Waratahs' clash with the Highlanders is one just one of several showdowns featuring finals aspirants.
Ten sides remain in the play-off hunt entering the penultimate round, with only the Waratahs and the Sharks guaranteed places in the play-offs.
Five teams are battling it out for New Zealand conference honours – after the Blues stayed alive with a crushing 40-14 win over the seventh-placed Western Force in Perth last Saturday.
The third-placed Crusaders, who lost 9-16 to the Hurricanes in Wellington at the weekend, have another chance to seal a play-off spot when they host the eighth-placed Blues in Christchurch.
The ninth-placed Chiefs must beat the fifth-placed Hurricanes in Hamilton to keep their title defence alive.
The Force play the Reds in Perth, knowing derby success will set up a likely winner-takes-all last-round match-up in Canberra with the Brumbies, who have the bye.
Source: AAP
