Super 14: One giant step forward, two steps back and a star is born
Columnist
By Spiro Zavos, 5 May 2008 Spiro Zavos is a Roar Expert
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.