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

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.

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.

“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.”

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.

“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.

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