Just when you thought Ben Donaldson might be missing a running game, he exploded with a dummy-and-dart to set up the final NSW Waratahs try.
The key play with just two minutes left on the clock was a strong way to finish his best game of the season in the 38-20 win over the Melbourne Rebels.
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The Waratahs flyhalf hit a ball flat at the line, sliced through and dished a backhanded offload for the Izzy Perese try at Allianz Stadium.
You wanted to see Donaldson command with the boot too...a short line dropout which Dylan Pietsch poached is exactly the sort of kick you need to dial up at a key time.
Donaldson needed that fuller performance because Rebels No.10 Carter Gordon had another strong game.
What else did we learn?
1 COMPOSURE FROM THE WARATAHS
The Waratahs kept the Rebels tryless over the final 67 minutes after falling behind 14-0.
It was a fine rally from the Tahs built on strong games from lock Jed Holloway, industry from the pack in general, Michael Hooper's 20 tackles and halfback Jake Gordon’s big-moment knack.
The Waratahs defence just before half-time really turned the game. Will Harris, Dylan Pietsch, Donaldson, Holloway, Dave Porecki and others brickwalled three Rebels’ surges at the tryline.
2 KELLAWAY AND HODGE RISING WITH REBELS
The Rebels’ big improvement hasn’t just thrust Carter Gordon forward as a likely new Wallaby.
The confidence and teamwork has given a platform for Reece Hodge and Andrew Kellaway to show their package of backline skills.
Utility Hodge has done a fine job to rack up more than 60 Tests playing in some fairly ordinary Rebels sides by comparison to the 2023 outfit.
Hodge’s understanding with Gordon in midfield was a real plus in the first half. Hodge was at first receiver for the slick move off a lineout that generated the fine Monty Ioane try and had a second touch with the final pass.
Kellaway is a fullback-wing option for the Wallabies this year. His timing to hit the ball at pace, his workrate and his passing all had a touch of class. Not being able to shunt Mark Nawaqanitawase into touch in cover defence when he scored his try was a blemish that Kellaway will curse.
3 THE GUY CAN FINISH
Winger Nawaqanitwase may not be seeing much ball on the wing for the Waratahs but he sure knows how to finish when he does.
It was vintage Nawaqanitase at the 52-minute mark when he acrobatically dotted down.
The Wallabies’ World Cup wing stocks look extremely healthy with Nawaqanitawase, Jordan Petaia, Kellaway, Josh Flook and Tom Wright leading the way. Plenty of those same options have claims on the fullback spot as well so versatility will definitely count at the selection table.
Dylan Pietsch, Corey Toole, Lachie Anderson, Andy Muirhead and Suliasi Vunivalu are on a rung behind while Jock Campbell’s case at fullback has been re-ignited by his fine display for the Queensland Reds against the Chiefs.
4 TWO GORDONS ARE BETTER THAN ONE
Waratahs halfback Jake Gordon has a true knack for resurrecting his side with a long-range try.
He hared 50m when he seized on a loose ball from a flawed Rebels lineout to capitalise on the Melbourne side being down to 14 men.
That play for 14-all got the Waratahs back in the game.
In Rebels colours, Carter Gordon’s deceptive short ball for the Reece Hodge try, some smart kicking and his 35m gallop in the lead-up to the Monty Ioane try all screamed Test No.10 in the first half.
He’s a more aggressive type of No.10 than Donaldson because he also hits harder in defence and is happy to throw a shoulder into a cleanout or two.
5 FINALS MATHS
The Waratahs’ victory for three in a row has them in sixth spot (25 points) and almost secure in the final eight for the quarter-finals.
Matches against the Fijian Drua and winless Moana Pasifika are sandwiched around a trip to Christchurch to play the Crusaders.
The seventh-placed Reds (23) have a tough run home and every bonus point will matter.
The 11th-placed Rebels (15) are almost out of chances. They have to beat the Highlanders in New Zealand coming up and the Western Force at home to make their last-round clash against the Brumbies count.
As well as the Rebels play for long stretches, a poor lineout throw from Jordan Uelese and Monty Ioane's two fumbles with the tryline beckoning are killers in a tight game.
The eighth-placed Force (18) are vulnerable with the Brumbies (H), Rebels (A) and Chiefs (H) ahead.
