A couple of observations about tonight's match:
1. Surely the time has now come for Lucas to start (it probably came about 3-4 weeks ago). McKibben is clearly the worst half (including Phipps) in the Aussie conference. His passing is woeful, he shovels out the pass regardless of the situation and the one time in the match that he ran was after a line break and he took the ball up the blind side where there were about 4 defenders, was pushed back and turned the ball over. There were a couple of defensive scrums were clearly the Hurricanes had worked out that McKibben was going to pass to Betham coming it off the wing. No plan B from McKibben, just shovel it out to players under pressure.
On the 2 occasions where Lucas has had significant game time, the whole pace of the Waratahs game picks up, he constantly challenges the defence, by kicking and running at the appropriate times thus taking pressure off his ball runners.
2. The Waratahs need to ban the chip kick for the rest of the season. They clearly have no idea when to use the short kick. Twice Foley (who was excellent otherwise) had broken the line and put in a short kick, which was immediately fielded by the Hurricanes who put us back in our own half. Folau also put in a nothing kick towards the end.
I think maybe Folau needs to back himself more with the ball. Perhaps he has been affected by criticism of being tackled in possession too often. I'd be happy if he made line breaks, was tackled and we were able to recycle quick ball. Obviously look for the pass where support players are free.