By Spiro Zavos
May 5th 2008 @ 6:31am
Super 14: One giant step forward, two steps back and a star is born
I’m still trying to work out how the NSW Waratahs lost their game to the Bulls (RSA).
After about 20 minutes of play, and a try on the board for the Waratahs and dominance around the field, I wrote in my notebook: ‘Why have the Waratahs improved so much after their robotic start to the season?’
A touch of hubris was in the question as the big Bulls pack, not as big as the Waratahs but more aggressive and vicious, began to exert control in the lineouts, scrums (who said the scrums aren’t important in ELVs rugby?) and in their kicking game. Slowly and surely, like an expert strangler, the Bulls squeezed the life and vigour out of the Waratahs.
This Waratahs side, though, is made of strong stuff. They toughed their way back to 13-13 thanks to a well-taken and brave field goal by Kurtley Beale. He kicked the goal and then slipped to the ground to avoid a ferocious charge from Bakkies Botha.
The Bulls charged back. They forced a couple of short-arm penalties and under the posts put on a simple charge forward and then dropped the field goal to give them the win.
Now back to the question of how the Waratahs lost.
First, the Bulls played very well in the wet and slippery conditions. Bryan Habana was a constant danger chasing and running with the ball, and great on cover defence too: the perfect player. The big Bulls forwards out-muscled the Waratahs. Aside from some early bursts, Wycliff Palu found it hard to make his crashing runs.
Second, the Waratahs were exposed by the lack of an outstanding goal-kicker. Lote Tuqiri took a couple of long range goal kicks. None of them looked like going over. Since his first fabulous strike at Sydney last week, he’s missed three kickable shots that a very good kicker might have converted. It’s time to see if Lachlan Turner has the goods as a goal kicker if Beale’s long range kicking isn’t given a chance.
The Waratahs are still in the hunt for a finals spot, possibly an away match, however. Next week will decide that when they play the Stormers, the form South African side, at Cape Town.
What small hope the Brumbies had of contesting the finals went down in an opening burst of attacking play from the Stormers that gave them a 20-point lead.
These two steps back for the contending Australian teams were more than matched by a terrific win by the Western Force against a bumbling Chiefs side. Like the Blues (what is it with some of these NZ sides?), the Chiefs played dumb, dumb rugby, especially at the end of the match. After clawing their way in front, they had to play out the last couple of minutes against a fired-up Force side. And they couldn’t do it, hardly championship stuff here.
It was two particularly dumb plays that (correctly) sealed their fate. First, after a series of torrid exhanges, the Chiefs finally won a turnover. What was called for was a calm head to get the ball well downfield. But Jamie Nutbrown tried to clear quickly, putting the ball in the air and short. This was the third stupid box kick from Nutbrown, with the first leading to a charged down try to the Force in the opening seconds of the match.
Memo to halfbacks: do NOT give away possession with meaningless box kicks.
From the ensuing attack Sione Lauaki, after putting on a huge hit slightly earlier sauntered back lazily into the defensive line. He was correctly penalised for ‘lazy running’ and Matt Giteau, who had missed a couple of penalties, calmly kicked the winning goal.
The Chiefs looked rattled and tired almost from the kick-off. They play two matches in South Africa, both of which they should win: the Lions at Johannesburg and the Sharks at Durban. But have they run out of gas after a slow start to the season and then the middle burst of wins?
During the IRB Hong Kong Sevens, The Roar identified a slightly-built, baby-faced youngster, James O’Connor, as ‘The new Tim Horan.’ At age 17 O’Connor made his Super 14 debut for the Force, and it was a cracker. He broke the Chiefs defence time after time. His defence was good. Like the great Horan he was relentlessly positive, quick and aggressive in everything he did, especially when he set up an important try with a searing, quick-footed run and then, under pressure, an overhead pass that found a runner.
A star in Australian rugby is born and he is The Roar’s player of Round 12.
Run home for the Super 14 finals contenders:
CRUSADERS (1st, 47 points) - Reds (away), Highlanders (home)
NSW WARATAHS (2nd, 37pts) - Stormers (a), Reds (a)
HURRICANES (3rd, 36pts) - Force (h), Blues (a)
STORMERS (4th, 35pts) - Waratahs (h), Lions (a)
————————————————————–
CHIEFS (5th, 33pts) - Lions (a), Sharks (a)
SHARKS (6th, 32pts) - Cheetahs (h), Chiefs (h)
BLUES (7th, 31pts) - Highlanders (a), Hurricanes (h)
BRUMBIES (8th, 28pts) - Bulls (a), Force (a)
WESTERN FORCE (9th, 28pts) - Hurricanes (a), Brumbies (h)
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Dexter William said | May 5th 2008 @ 9:10am | Report comment
EM standard mode of operation when under pressure is “Kick the Ball.”
EM Played into the hands of the Bulls when the instruction went out to kick the ball after the lead.
Read what Campo said before the game in the telegraph:
“This week is a huge week for NSW. They have to put last week’s win over the Sharks out of their minds. The Bulls at home is a very tough assignment.
One of the things you have to do against the Bulls is play unstructured. If you play that way they are not good at defending it. If you play structured, and try to take them on with power through the forwards, you’ll come unstuck.
The more you do different things, change some of your tactics, they are a team that can’t respond. Get on top of them early and you’ve got them. They struggle badly.
The Waratahs are showing some flair, which is good to see. Butthe experienced players in theside need to keep a close eye on all the youngsters.”
EM’s sacking was a good decision. Until he matures as a coach, he will not go far.
Harry said | May 5th 2008 @ 9:12am | Report comment
Well your James O’Conner does indeed look the goods. There were several moments which were pure class - the most memorable for me when he made a break then had the presence and skills when tackled to throw a beautiful pass to his winger Cummins.
This was just as well as the rest of the round was thoroughly depressing - the Redsinsipid, Brumbies and Tahs both comprehensively outmuscled (although the penalty try decision was the worst piece of showboat refereeing (and sucking up to the locals) I’ve seen since Bob Burnett’s legendary Qld socks v Wales in 1978.
Now or never for the Tahs at Capetown this weekend. The Stormers side doesn’t contain worldbeaters and a bit of composure and courage needed.
Harry said | May 5th 2008 @ 9:15am | Report comment
To be fair Dexter the weather was against playing an open style of rugby which Campo identified as the right way to play, but it was depressing viewing watching our guys being continually smashed backwards by the (generally offisde) Bulls defensive line.
Selwyn said | May 5th 2008 @ 9:30am | Report comment
Can’t agree more with Spiro re the shocking kicking record of the Waratahs. Tuqiri is not the man for rhe job. Other than the one success, his others haven’t been close. this is not the sign of a good kicker. Beale is good when a try is scored under the posts. Score in the corner and the conversion is invariably mssed. Wonder what his % is from the sideline? Game could have been won on Saturday with a half decent kicker. The great kicker of previous years is playing overseas somewhere, released early from his signed contract by the inept powers at the Waratahs.
stuff happens said | May 5th 2008 @ 9:45am | Report comment
The Waratahs kicking out of hand was again shown in this match to be dreadful. Time and again they just kicked downfield to a grateful Bulls player.Norton -Knight was particularly guilty. I see this morning that he ws suffering from blurred vision. I’m not surprised, but why was he not replaced?
The Bulls deserved to win - their forwards were more aggressive and in the conditions their tactics were spot on.
eric said | May 5th 2008 @ 10:08am | Report comment
I agree that the Tahs will rue the lack of a kicker. Tuquiri is definately not the answer, but nor would Peter Hewat be. Hewats defence would make even that attempt by Terblanche on Palu last week look gutsy. To me, Beale has the style of a part time kicker. He needs to be taught, analysed, modified and rehearsed til his fringe grows back. He isn’t fluent at all.
Turner is not the answer either, his kicking and passing leave a lot to be desired. I think Sam N-K has the skills to be a kicker.
I was very disappointed in Phil Waughs after match interview, where without actually naming Burgess, he virtually blamed him for the loss. This reminded me of the way they crucified Sam N-K last year, and gives a little insight into the McKenzie culture.
I wouldn’t get too despondent about losing to the Bulls at Loftus, in the rain. If they’re good enough, they’ll beat the Stormers and Qld to still get a home semi.
That Chiefs v Force game was the best game I’ve seen in yonks. How about Pococks tackle to dislodge the ball from the Chiefs player as he dived for what should have been the match winning try? Certainly O’Connor looked wonderful. Let’s not put his weights up just yet, but I liked his composure and confidence.
By the way, I’m sure Sivivatu and Lauaki would play better with a few less kgs.
The Link said | May 5th 2008 @ 10:29am | Report comment
Hey Selwyn, short memory, didn’t Beale slot one from the sideline against the Force which pratically ended up winning them the game? Agree he does need to be more consistent however.
And Dexter, so I gather then that Campo would make a better coach then Link? I am puzzled as to why having a team in 2nd place with 2 rounds to go is a sign of a bad coach?
jools-usa said | May 5th 2008 @ 10:57am | Report comment
Most inept game I’ve seen from ‘Tahs in weeks.
Sure, conditions were awful, but aimless kicking downfield was stupid, & they’re lucky that Habana
was off his game (& smothered), so couldn’t make them pay.
No thrust in the centres, and under high ball there wasn’t the skill that Mitchell & Cooper
demonstrated in their game.
But, all in all, the positives are there ,& Deans is seeing some gems emerge from the four teams.
Just hope he can meld them.
Jools-USA
sheek said | May 5th 2008 @ 11:32am | Report comment
The Link,
I think what Dexter was getting at, is that with the talent McKenzie has had at his disposal these past 5 years, he should have done better. Yes, the Tahs are presently 2nd in 2008, but what about recent previous years?
Another thing, the Tahs, although 2nd, are on a precipice. Winning against the Stormers in Cape Town is now a huge mountain to climb, especially as the Stomers are in an even tighter predicament. And the Tahs have to play the Reds last round, who love nothing better than to mess with the Tahs.
Historically, McKenzie seems unable to lift his team for crunch games. The generally conservative style works well for ordinary home & away matches, but form previous history, the Tahs struggle close to, & in the semis. They seem unable to raise their game sufficiently, when it matters.
With respect to Campo, Dexter was referring to his insight, rather than suggesting Campo would be a better coach. The two things are different. In any case, Campo doesn’t deserve the derision he receives in some quarters of Australian rugby. Nor does McKenzie, who did the best he could, but still has many things to learn as a head coach.
General comment. Historically, the saffies are intuitive masters of forward play, & kiwis are intuitive master of backs play.
The kiwis refer to their 10 & 12 as 1st 5/8 & 2nd 5/8, which realistically is how the two positions play. You need both your 10 & 12 to be good ball players, while it would also be helpful if they were both good general play kickers, although this is not essential. Nevertheless, you need at least one of 10 or 12, & one other elsewhere in the backline, to be good kickers in general play.
Back in Mark Ella’s day, he wasn’t a good kicker in general play. But he had Mike Hawker beside him, who was a good kicker. And when Hawker’s skills began to desert him, Mike Lynagh performed the same role on the Grand Slam tour of 1984. This freed Ella to do what he did best - set the backline alight.
I think when a coach selects his team, he selects the key players, & then selects other players around the key players who are complimentary, not similar. This is common sense.
Matching Beale (a ball runner) & Sheehan (a slow passing but rugged scrumbase sniper) for most of the season struck me as a mis-match. Beale & Burgess are an excellent match & the Tahs have had 5 wins on the trot (prior to the Bulls) because these guys were allowed to play more expansively. Havent’ seen too many Tahs matches live, so don’t know much about Carter. Can he kick? Or Jacobs? Or Horne?
For kicking duties, Beale needs someone at 12 who can adequately fulfil the kicking role, freeing Beale to do what he does best, setting the backline along. But then, what would I know?
NickF said | May 5th 2008 @ 11:39am | Report comment
I though that the Waratahs kicking game in general was very poor on the weekend. Kicks in general play were either too easy to for the Bulls to take and return or they didn’t find touch, and on a wet and slippery day you must find touch sown their end of the field. Sam Norton Knight in particular didn’t seem to ever find touch, He either was doing this on purpose, through instruction or some misguided idea that it was a good idea, or his kicking was just bad. As a fullback accurate kicking is prerequisite (see Matt Burke). Other kickers were guilty of kicking the ball and not chasing, thinking that just kicking the ball was enough.
It’s also interesting to note that the Waratahs had an off game the same week the Luke Burgess had an off game. Lets hope he has a blinder next week.
Phill Waugh again was tirelessand everywhere. And I too though the ref was playing to the crowd, slow ball and offside.
stillmissit said | May 5th 2008 @ 11:39am | Report comment
The Waratahs were brain dead again and seemed to be following EM’s plan too closely. Seems to happen each time they come under agressive competition.
On the Plus side: I think Kurtley Beale showed he has real courage and he surprised me as I didn’t expect guts a determination from such a young man in a key position. Burgess was again excellent and apart from getting the ball punched out of his hands was the oil that kept the team working. Palu and Polatu Nau had excellent first halves. Vickerman was everywhere and Waugh drove himself mercilessly ( I didn’t think he was attacking Burgess but was obviously deeply disappointed in the team performance).
On the Minus side: Tuquri showed nothing again! Mumm was missing - I think he may do his best in dry conditions, Elsom was invisible as well but this was a hard match to come back in. Turner seems a bit lost at the moment and needs some close attention from the coaches but one thing he doesn’t lack is guts.
A game of some good individual performances when they needed to be a tight knit live and die together team.
Just as well I tipped the Bulls.
NickF said | May 5th 2008 @ 11:45am | Report comment
Sheek, well said, re Campos comments. Campo wasn’t pushing open running rugby. he was pushing for unstructured rugby. I felt this was quite astute, and good advice. Campo has also had a few years in Sth Africa and might have a few insights McKenzie could use.
The Link said | May 5th 2008 @ 12:31pm | Report comment
Sheek, you have some interesting points, however Link’s record stacks up against any Australian Super 12/14 Coach over the last 4 years in particular (as a whole). Its looking likely that they will have made the semi’s 3 out of the 5 years. Agree that the lack of winning in big games has cost them.
It was probably time for a change anyway, however the focus on his performance as a coach as opposed to Fisher’s poor record in Canberra is a travesty. I would argue that Fisher had the better pick of troops in his tenure than Link.
Agree the way Campo is treated here is disgraceful, however the conditions did more to dictate the way the game was played by NSW and their lack of a smart kicking game got exposed.
NSW should by rights be challenging more for titles, Link has got them close and the foundations are there, the next coach needs to take NSW to the next level.
Spiro Zavos said | May 5th 2008 @ 12:59pm | Report comment
I’m surprised that there is criticism of Luke Burgess’s play. At the time watching the game this wasn’t the impression I got. I was surprised when Brett Sheehan came on but not surprised that he did very little to lift the play of the Waratahs. They started well and then seemed to run out of energy. Perhaps the jet-lag was kicking in, accentuated by playing at altitude which is very enervating. If this is true then the Waratahs should be more on the ball next week at sea level Cape Town against the Stormers.
Let’s hope so, anyway.
Dexter William said | May 5th 2008 @ 1:08pm | Report comment
In reply to The Link (are you defending yourself EM)
Most of the people who responded to Waratah game agrees that there is too much mindless kicking - meaning kicking for the sake of kicking or just taking instruction from the boss to kick. Inside the 22, why are the Tahs not finding touch and are kicking directly at the Bull’s back line. Coaches need to know what their players are capable of. The Tahs do not have a good kicking game, so why persist. Spiros called the first few rounds from the Tahs Robotic, and that game was robotic from the Tahs. EM is a great coach if coming 3rd or fourth is the objective of the team. He does not play winning Rugby - he plays not to lose. The only way to be champions is to beat the best team out there.
Stillmissit said:”The Waratahs were brain dead again and seemed to be following EM’s plan too closely. Seems to happen each time they come under agressive competition.”
Absolutely right on.
EM’s revert to Robotic game plans when under pressure. A total lack of composure or choking for the lack of a better description. Yes they are second on the table, but they don’t look it at all. Both their semi and final games from previous years were the most shocking. Robotic at best due to EM strategy.
I mentioned Campo because he took the words right out of my mouth. The Tahs were only kicking up and using brute force against the Bulls pack - how stupid is that? There is no plan B in EM’s book. And Waugh as good as he is, does not have any individuality to take the team in a different direction. He is probably saying to the boys: “The coach wants us to kick it up and smash them up in the middle. Lets get on with it.” Where is some flair for unstructured attack? None.
Unlike you (The Link), I think Campo is more astute than you give him credit for. He was the attack coach for the Sharks last year and they were playing fantastic then.
Thanks Sheek and NickF. I am glad that my earlier post is read in the right light. I am a big Tah’s fan and I am just expecting more from this team of great individuals that needs a good coach to gel them into a great team. EM just does not know how to make full use of his resources. Why is BS in the game at all? Sheek is absolutely right that BS is not a good choice for Beal at 5/8.
Rereading my previous posts on EM before he was sacked. I wanted to see Burgess picked. I wanted Polo tau in the first half. Like to see Tuquri run straight for a change. Wanted to see better centres than Jacobs and Carter.
Some of my wishes came through on selection, but the strategy from EM is still in the boondocks.
Rob said | May 5th 2008 @ 1:25pm | Report comment
Stillmissit,
I like Mumm as a backrower. But as many of us are now saying you have to recognize that lock is also a specialist position. Mumm may be guilty of this, I dont know , but watch Aust locks and notice that at the breakdown not many of them drive under the opposition. They hit a player and flop onto the side. Apart from scrummaging strength this is a real need in the specialist lock. You dont have to drive in at full pace–rather find your mark and drive in and under the opponent to dislodge him from the breakdown. Sometimes coaches fall into the habit of picking players out of position because they feel they are too good to leave out, but a side would not be functional if you had 15 Ellas in the team. The other thing that amuses me is the coaching fashion that we have 1 tight lock and 1 running lock. This was a philosophy that came with Jones and as far as I know it is still the mantra.But if you visualise a game starting at say a scrum this is totally illogical–all depending on what side of the scrum you pack on , what side the ball went etc. Does it mean the running lock hangs out when he might otherwise be needed at the breakdown etc etc. It is one of those theories that sound so neat and tidy but is not practical. In a paper article I read Mckenzie saying how much tight work Vickerman does. Why wouldnt he scour the ranks of club football to find other good scrummaging and tight working locks not just to replace Vickerman but to have 2 on the field instead of one. But no,Jones influence lives on. A tight 5 rugby forward can hide. He can make several good runs but actually hide in the tight. Conversely a good tight forward may do a lot of good work in close but unless the judge is looking for this he wont get noticed.
The Link said | May 5th 2008 @ 3:29pm | Report comment
Dexter, all fair enough, but my point is that the analysis of Link as a coach is often unfair and too short sighted relatively speaking. NSW have had a good year and are a better team for his service. Is there a reason why Brumbies fans and the media are more relaxed about the record of their coach?
The conditions in the Bulls v Tahs game were as bigger driver than anything else in the way the game was played IMO.
As I have said before, a new coach is probably needed to take them to greater heights, but the foundations that he has set puts that coach in the box seat. I know which Aussie S14 playing roster and structure i’d rather inherit next year (politics aside)
eric said | May 5th 2008 @ 4:05pm | Report comment
Obviously, McKenzie’s performance is viewed differently by different people. I think he has failed dismally, because;
1. He has had all the cattle he wanted, the four leaguies, Rogers, Sailor, Tuquiri, Tahu, plus Frier, Polota-Nau, Norton-Knight, Justin Harrison & Vickerman, and Burgess all from the Brumbies. Who has he developed?
2. His tactics are awful…kick it and let them make mistakes
3. His man management is non-existent. When a player is dropped, eg Tim Davidson, he finds out when the team is announced and is not spoken to. Last year he never pulled Lote into line over the re-signing distraction and the crucifying of Sam N-K. He allowed Lote to say publicly that he had apologised to N-K, when he never said a word. He allows Brett Sheehan to not speak to Luke Burgess for weeks. Great stuff for team spirit.
4.His selections and understanding of back play is zilch, nada, sweet fanny adams.
5. He’s got Tuynman to coach the pigs, Louden to coach the backs, Kiss to coach defence…and the only area where he should be good, the scrum, has been disastrous until recently.
6. Until the week he got sacked, the players were awful to watch, playing like square pegs in McKenzies round holes.
What has he done well? I’d like to know.
Ben from Pretoria said | May 5th 2008 @ 4:41pm | Report comment
Harry
“The Stormer’s does not contain worldbeaters”
None?At all? Here’s a few you will see in a Bok training squad.
Jean de Villiers-incumbent Springbok centre and the brains of the operation
Ricky January-2nd only behind Fourie du Preez
Luke Watson-a great season and sure to be in Pieter de Villiers’s plans
Andries Bekker-probably the comp’s tallest lock and a real mongrel
The Fijian wing - brings bulk and speed to the wings which has been a revelation
Schalk Brits-The Flying Hooker
The same can be said of the Crusader’s backline with very few stars but that is the beauty of it. Good coaching can make the sum operate better than the parts.
stuff happens said | May 5th 2008 @ 4:56pm | Report comment
Yes Ben from Pretoria I agree entirely with your last sentence ; good coaching can indeed make ‘the whole operate better than the sum of the parts’. ( which I ‘m pretty sure is what you’re saying!) This is exactly what the Tahs so often fail to do.
And it’s not just with EM as coach.
Incidentally, and having watched the Stormers and the Bulls this weekend, just how do you breed so many huge forwards in SA?You seem to have a conveyor belt. Must be that red tea you guys drink !!
stillmissit said | May 5th 2008 @ 5:28pm | Report comment
Eric - It is rare on the Roar where I get new insights into the Waratahs. I wondered what had happened to Tim Davidson and the non speaking stuff between Burgess and Sheehan is hard to swallow but easy to understand in a dysfunctional team. I always assumed that Lote had apologised to N-K but I just swallow the stuff I read. I hope the new coach gives him the punt back to league he deserves, The NRL is welcome to him and I bet he becomes a great winger there again as they don’t put up with the shit he doles out in Union.
This time the NSW blazers have it dead right. They have spent a fortune supporting EM and the team has played ‘Roboticallly’ (Spiro nailed that term) and harmony is all over the place by your description.
The lesson for the day is:- ‘Never get a Nice Guy to sort out a Vipers Nest’
Rob - I totally agree with your thoughts about second row players. It seems that coaches just don’t look at particular players skills sets and are hell bent on getting an “Athlete” rather than a great player in that position. What the hell is an athlete anyway? Maybe they should be in the Olympic squad. They sure as hell arn’t doing a lot for state or Australia.
Ben from Pretoria - The Stormers will make up a solid proportion of the Springboks but I don’t think Luke Watson is going to be among them. He is a great player at a time when you have 2 of the top 5 No 8’s and several flankers who are contending as well. If the team gels as the Stormers have we are in for a tough time from the Republic.
Dexter William said | May 5th 2008 @ 5:39pm | Report comment
The Link
Regarding the Brumbies.
As Eric pointed out, they do not have the cattle that EM has. They are making do with small No8 and a very inexperienced flyhalf. They constantly bring in new faces and got them to play to a much higher than expected. Player such as Salvi, the hooker, the left winger (they are names that I can not remember). Also look at how well George Smith brother plays coming from playing league before. It has got to do with coaching.
Laurie is not a great coach, but he is IMO a better coach than EM. The silliest thing that Laurie did (other than his hair do) is to pinch Huxley from the Reds.
Also even when they lose, they play smart Rugby and always playing to their strength. They are punching above their weight considering that there are only 3 or 4 of them that will make the Wallabies this year.
EM is just Lousy and I don’t understand why a person so full of Rugby knowledge like you can’t see it. Eric is spot on with his analysis of EM failings.
Harry said | May 5th 2008 @ 5:40pm | Report comment
I also agree that coaching can make the difference Ben. But when I look at that Stormers team on paper (even with those good players you nominated) I don’t see the class you see in the Sharks, Bulls, Crusaders, Blues - or NSW - particularly with Schalk Burger missing. It may well be that the sum of parts is greater, but my point is the Tahs, if they are to be genuine title contendes as everyone in NSW claims they are, should be able to beat them. The Brumbies were found wanting at Newlands on the weekend, we will see if the Tahs are the real deal this weekend - no excuses about altitude, rain that were to some extent fair enough on the weekend.
Jerry said | May 5th 2008 @ 6:35pm | Report comment
>>
“Worldbeaters” does not mean “Extended Springbok squad” to my knowledge. Just cause they won the cup doesn’t mean that every member of the squad was world class - that sort of logic lead to MBEs all round for the 2003 England squad!
Hugh Dillon said | May 5th 2008 @ 7:40pm | Report comment
I too thought that NSW had the goods with a lovely ensemble try. What they did then defied everything that they have learned about themselves and how to win: they cannot win by kicking into the corners because they haven’t the kickers nor, on Saturday, did they have the chasers. What have they learned over the last few weeks? Keep the ball in hand as much as possible; don’t be seduced by the prospect of easy yards with kicks; use the counter-attack ball; use Burgess, Palu and Polota-Nau to make the busts and offload the ball when the breaks come; RETAIN POSSESSION. Kick as a last resort. How many tries have we seen from chips or grubbers? Bugger all. How many have we seen when the forwards hung onto the ball and Burgess and Beale used the blind-side to get in behind the defence, or spread the fast ball wide? Heaps.
This game reminded me of the pusillanimous effort against the Crusaders when NSW kicked away most of of the possession it got and then wondered why they had only 35% of the ball for the whole game. Front-row forwards love to see the ball being belted downfield in the rain. They can stand in the middle of the park and watch the ball go downfield temporarily without having to do anything. A coach who teaches his players to do it, unless they have a Hougarde who can actually kick 60m into the corners, needs some tough love. This was a timely reminder that NSW is a good running side and a poor kicking side. They can be winners if they play their game but not the Sth African game.
Steveo said | May 5th 2008 @ 11:20pm | Report comment
Another debut which received very little coverage was Kieran Longbottom as a prop for the Force. He is the first locally produced player to be awarded a 14’s contract, having played all his rep and club rugby in WA (one year of colts in QLD). He had a solid game and played both tight and loose.
Roger said | May 6th 2008 @ 12:20pm | Report comment
Have a look at ARU’s Under 20 squad…very strong. http://www.rugby.com.au/news/ford_australian_u20s_squad_for_irb_junior_world_ch,83381.html/section/21893
Amazing that couldnt get O’Connor and Touma approval to play as players under 18 y.o even though they have played s14.
Also looks like Quade Cooper and Kurtley will be battling for 5/8 spot. Billy Melrose will be in a good position to judge which is best.
Good to see the huge young winger from Randwick (Ratu Nasiganiyavi) getting a run..he will surely be the biggest winger in the comp.
Roger said | May 6th 2008 @ 12:50pm | Report comment
I see O’Connor and Touma are too young to play in Under 20 RWC in Wales.
http://www.rugby.com.au/news/ford_australian_u20s_squad_for_irb_junior_world_ch,83381.html/section/21893
Great s14 squad backline of Haylett Petty, Mafi, Horne, Cooper, Connor, Beale, and Genia, with Pocock, Wykes, Simmons, Daley and Palmer on in forwards.
Will be interesting to see what Billy Melrose thinks of Beale v Cooper!
stillmissit said | May 6th 2008 @ 1:12pm | Report comment
Roger wouldnt it be great to see this on Fox or preferably free to air?
I guess there will be no coverage?
Roger said | May 6th 2008 @ 2:10pm | Report comment
There is mention of some kind of broadcast but for the life of me I cannot find details on the internet.. Nothing is on Setanta…
I just read that NZ’s U20 team has 3 x S14 players (from Crusaders) which is either a reflection that we have particularly good depth in this age group OR that NZ have such depth that their U20 players as good as ours arent good enough to play for NZ s14 sides…I think I will believe the latter given that most of the other under age rugby results in the last few years going to the kiwis.
As an aside, press that Johnson might coach Tahs and then to have Hickey as High Performance Manager for ARU might be on the money, as Hickey has been coaching age group sides for some time.
mcxd said | May 6th 2008 @ 9:17pm | Report comment
The Waratahs on the weekend (bar the first 20 mins) reminded me of the 2005 final against the Crusaders and typified the tahs under EM. It wasnt that it was the same game plan but it was more the inability to implement and excecute a game plan that works to your teams strengths rather than its weaknesses.
In the 2005 final the tahs kept the ball away from their backline (far and away their strength at the time) and either kicked and extroadinarily kept it in the forwards. Though the forwards werent exactly inept (they did have a very strong lineout) their general ball play and scrums werent exactly settign the world on fire when the Crusaders were in that dept.
Why base your game plan on your weaknesses and the oppositions strengths ?? Too many times at crucial stages has a basic error like this happened at the tahs and once again this happened again on the weekend.
As previous weeks have shown keeping the ball in hand (whether it is in wet or dry conditions) is the key for the tahs to win..why throw that out the window and play to your weeknesses ? I cant understand why EM hasnt worked that out ?
Though I do understand the decsion for LT to take long range penalties especially as it was used the week before quite successfully. Also given that it was 44m out and at an angle where Beale has missed much easier conversions. (still dont understnd why he take a thousand steps and actually goes nowhere when taking a conversion, giving the opposition time to run up and pressure him).
Ben from Pretoria said | May 6th 2008 @ 9:46pm | Report comment
I agree that the other SA teams have more wellknown players than the Stormers but their performance just shows what can be achieved when a team plays FOR eachother. I honestly thought that the Brumbies would be again be the bogey team for the Stormers but they were blown off the park in the 1st 20 by a helter skelter display from both the opposition and the ref.
The Waratahs looked like the goods back home and in attrocious conditions in Pretoria almost beat a Bulls team who is dealing with a massive amount of internal politics. The reason they lost were because they were smashed back in the tackle and I rarely got the feeling that they could pull this one through because of their bodylanguage. They were involved in trench warfare and hated it.
Against the Stormers it should be easier for them regarding the weather but they will be up against a 45000 capacity crowd and a bunch of young guns desperate to make the semis. Watch the Fijian wings on either side having a blast. Should be a cracker.
stillmissit said | May 7th 2008 @ 10:10am | Report comment
mcxd
I’ll tell you why EM hasn’t worked it out. He is playing to a plan for the team that doesn’t involve working out how to beat opponents on a week by week basis. He is looking for a Waratahs playing style that is basically wrong for the cattle they have. His imagination and creativity is poor and like a lot of generals who have lost wars and many soldiers they can’t imagine another way, other than the one they are using. See the 1st world war for classic examples.
He is also one of those people who have been permanently damaged by his early training. He just can’t let go of the statistics and the McQueen game plan (Jones modifications of course). Fundamentaly he is a true believer, by that I mean he has given away any ideas of his own to a dream of someone elses.
He won’t change because he can’t change his religion.
stillmissit said | May 7th 2008 @ 10:13am | Report comment
Another thing, if you want to see a creative coach who would try anything, within reason, to win look at Phil Mooney and the Qld Reds. Young players without a lot of experience gaining confidence each week by developing different plans to win and using the players they have well.