Finally the Waratahs have responded to the harsh criticism they received last weekend when they went down to the Force 20-21 by bouncing back last Saturday and defeating the Sharks 34-30 in a hard fought entertaining match in Sydney.
The word entertaining normally doesn't sit well with the Waratahs who over the years have done their best to disengage their fans fans by playing dull rugby based on kicking rather then ball in hand.
Playing on a glorious Sydney afternoon for a change the Waratahs had to play at their best to defeat the ravenous Sharks whose big forwards were always going to test the mettle of the Tah's pack led by new captain prop Benn Robinson.
So far this year there has been a lack of soul within the Waratahs but on the weekend they played like men possessed to finally give their much maligned fans something to cheer about.
But as expected it was a tough match which went to the wire with young Waratahs winger Tom Kingston scoring the match winning try in the 76th minute in the right corner with five eighth Berrick Barnes converting from the sideline.
Up until this game the Waratahs have been lethargic and lacking in creativity not too mention team work, self belief and few other rugby isms that can't be printed but under he enormous pressure from fans and critics they managed to play with aplomb and finish the match as deserved winners.
The move by Waratahs coach Michael Foley to start Brendan McKibbon at No.9 in the place of Sarel Pretorius was a master stroke because the young half back played with enthusiasm which inspired his team-mates.
Apart from scoring the teams first try, McKibbon also kicked three penalties and two conversions which wasn't a bad effort for the youngster starting in his first run on game for the Waratahs in what was a crucial match for both sides.
After trailing the Sharks 7-0 when winger Lwazi Mvovo scored in the 3rd minute the Waratahs snapped into action to hold the aggressive Sharks at bay and it took 22 minutes for McKibbon to respond when he dived across the line under the posts to put the Waratahs back in the game to draw equal with their opponents 10 all.
With the Sharks holding the upper hand at half time leading by a four point margin 17-13 the game was up for grabs and the second half was just as exciting with the lead continually fluctuating both ways.
What impressed me most about the Waratahs was their ball control throughout the match and they always threatened the Sharks from every part of the field making easy yards through the direct approach by their forwards.
With Berrick Barnes back in control at No.10 and the robust Tom Carter taking the ball up at inside centre the Waratahs three-quarters played with much more fluency that I have seen from them so far his year.
Their 34-30 victory over the Sharks could not have come at a better time for the Waratahs who fly to New Zealand this weekend to take on the Chiefs at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.
Any game against our Kiwi neighbors isn't easy but I hope the Waratahs understand what it takes to secure victory.
Playing with passion and commitment is always a good start but sticking to the game plan for the entire eighty minutes will also help their cause.
The Waratahs are not an easy team to follow and they continually give cause for their fans to believe that they will never win a Super Rugby title but every now and again they just do enough to revive the spirit that keeps us watching with interest in the hope that they play like they did against the Sharks on the weekend.
Mark Ella