Waratahs 39-8 Brumbies
Tahs motivated by tweet that questioned work ethic
June 28, 2014
Waratahs 39-8 Brumbies (Australia)

Michael Cheika and Dave Dennis have revealed how a gloating tweet out of the triumphant Brumbies camp sparked sweet revenge for New South Wales Waratahs' loss to their Super Rugby arch-rivals in March, the Tahs coach and captain admitting the post from former Brumbies strength and conditioning coach Dean Benton following the ACT side's 28-23 victory in March had left the vanquished smarting.

"That was something that really motivated us," Cheika said after the Waratahs' commanding 39-8 win at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.

"We certainly used that tonight: to say that's a challenge on our integrity around if we're hard workers, and that's something we want to be proud of this year."

Dennis said the Waratahs took pride in their work ethic and "being a strong physical team that never gives in".

The Brumbies' Scott Fardy scrags the Waratahs' Jacques Potgieter © Getty Images
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"That's probably the one thing we try to hang our hat on a bit, is working hard," Dennis said.

"Probably looking at that Canberra game, you could probably question us a little bit but I think the effort was there; we were just a bit off in a few areas. It gives the boys a bit of a spur along, too. Our consistency around working hard has been a lot better than it was last year and in previous years.

"To get questioned in that regard, on something that we've talked about for a long time now, we felt was a bit harsh, and it gave us good motivation for tonight."

© AAP

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