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'Of course it's better than nothing' - Waratahs finals hopes hanging by a thread after picking up another losing bonus point.

Jed Holloway of the Waratahs. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

The NSW Waratahs’ Super Rugby finals hopes are hanging by a thread following a gut-wrenching one-point loss to the Lions in Johannesburg.

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The Waratahs led late before a Shaun Reynolds penalty goal in the 68th minute secured the Lions a 29-28 victory on Sunday.

NSW’s sixth bonus-point defeat in a 2019 campaign of near misses leaves the Waratahs languishing in 13th place on the ladder and seven points adrift of Australian conference leaders the Melbourne Rebels.

Leading 21-19 at the break after three slick first-half tries to Nick Phipps, Michael Hooper and Rob Simmons, the Waratahs were unable to shake the Lions.

Runners-up for the past three seasons, the free-running South Africans hit the front for the first time four minutes into a frenetic second half with their third try of their own, through Springboks winger Courtnall Skosan.

But unlike last year’s semi-final capitulation in Johannesburg, the Tahs refused to fold.

The visitors regained the lead when Tom Staniforth crashed over in the 57th minute, only for Reynolds to have the final say.

“I thought it was a really good contest; back and forth tries, some really exciting rugby and down to the wire there with both teams getting opportunities,” said Waratahs captain Hooper.

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Despite slipping further behind the Rebels, who stretched their lead atop the Australian conference with a 30-24 win over the Queensland Reds on Friday night, Hooper wasn’t giving up hope of making the finals.

The Waratahs won’t return to Australia empty-handed, having picked up two bonus important points in their narrow losses on the Highveld to the Lions and Bulls.

“Every point counts. We managed to walk away with another one, just short of a win, which is what we desperately wanted today,” Hooper said.

“Of course it’s better than nothing. We want to build some momentum. We were unable to do that today.

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“But there’s so much fight in this team.”

The Waratahs take on the Reds next Saturday in Brisbane in a must-win encounter for both teams.

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Nickers 18 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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