The Chiefs will be a real test for the Waratahs
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By Andrew Logan, 20 Feb 2009 Andrew Logan is a Roar Expert
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It’s a new look Waratahs pack this season, minus the old heads of Elsom, Vickerman and Lyons. But when I caught up with new lineout leader and Wallaby second-rower Dean Mumm during the week, he was pretty happy with how the side is shaping up.
In spite of losing the big guns, Mumm said, “The pack feels fine. You know, it’s not like a surprise that these guys were going and we’ve prepared for a while in that manner. With Foles (Michael Foley) there at the helm, he’s an excellent coach and he’s got us going in the set piece, which is a big platform for us – especially when we’ve got such a good backline. I’m very confident in our ability and certainly we’re not overly gloating about it, but we think we can muscle up against most packs this year.”
Given the way the Tah’s pack muscled up against their first round opponents, the Hurricanes, there is cause for optimism amongst the fan base.
So can Waratahs fans expect more of the same?
“The thing about those trips is you just want to get over there, do the business and get home, but yeah it was great to get the points. I don’t think we put all we wanted out there, but we did well as a team and we made them work for everything so it was the way we wanted to play them I think. We can take those positives out of it.”
One of the big positives was defence, particularly in the last 20 minutes, and Mumm agreed that a solid line laid the platform for the win: “You have to defend hard against a side like that. It goes pretty heavily in their favour if you start missing tackles and not manning up on those sort of blokes.
“Definitely there is a strong spirit in the team. The defensive results are just a reflection of our attitude, and we were committed to the win last week, and we’re committed to each other.”
Spectators who noticed the defence also noticed the willingness of the backline to attack.
Lote Tuquiri going outside a man to score was a sight for sore eyes, particularly after the percentage rugby of the last few years under Ewen McKenzie and Mumm says that the forwards are enjoying seeing the backs cut loose.
“The backs are very eager to attack. During the trials we scored some tries off first phase which is a forwards dream, you know, they’re running pretty sharp at the moment and we’ve certainly got some talent out there which is pleasant.”
As one of the fastest forwards in Australian rugby, Mumm knows all about running sharp. So how does he feel about being in tight with the added responsibility of calling the lineouts?
“Being at 6 or in the second row doesn’t really bother me. I don’t know where my future lies whether it’s at 6 or second row, but it’s certainly good to be able to play both and I’m happy to go wherever they want to pick me really.
“I enjoyed calling the lineouts. I can’t pretend that I’m experienced at it because I haven’t really done it much, but it is definitely something I looked towards doing at some stage in my career and with Vicks going away it’s there to be done at the moment and I enjoy it. It’s a nice challenge.”
And the challenge is on again this week against the Chiefs who look like a big threat in this year’s competition.
“Yeah, the Chiefs are a quality side. They have an outstanding backline and they get talked about a lot, from the back three right through, they’ve got plenty of wheels. Their pack’s quite good as well, pretty solid in the lineout and a good scrum which has been causing a lot of people hassles.
“We’ve seen footage of them against the Crusaders last week and the Hurricanes in a trial and they’ve been doing a bit of damage so that’s going to be a great test for us.”
So what has coach Chris Hickey been emphasizing for the Waratahs to focus on in their first home game of 2009?
“It’s a physicality issue again this week. We’ve really got to muscle up, particularly on the big fellas but also on the speed out wide. We’ve got to make sure particularly that our kick chase line is intact because they’ve got the ability to counter attack from anywhere. Brendan Leonard is a key player for them. He’s a fantastic player and he’s one of those players who can rip you apart if you let him, so those are the areas we’re looking at.”
So how are the boys feeling about being back at their home ground?
“It’s really exciting to come back home having won against the Hurricanes, and we really hope everyone comes out to watch against the Chiefs.”
An entertaining game then?
“Oh yeah I think so. Like I say, there’s plenty of wheels on both sides. I just hope I don’t get stuck out there!”
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LeftArmSpinner said | February 20th 2009 @ 5:48am | Report comment
dont you just love hearing forwards talk about muscling up again. Just like the good old days and forwards doing their job. Lets hope that they deliver. I suspect that they will and this will give the backs some quality ball. But they can expect some physicality coming back from the Chiefs.
True Tah said | February 20th 2009 @ 7:15am | Report comment
Loges, I actually think the Tahs can win tonight and win it well – I note that Lauaki, Muliaina and Anesi are all out, which are big blows…however they still have the likes of Leonard, Donald, Sivivatu, Kahui and my fav Masaga in the backline, and thats a backline any side would love to have.
A lot depends on the approach the Chiefs take, they have some rather large boys in their forward pack, and if they attack Beale’s channel then they are guaranteed to get over the gain line…I note the Hurricanes didnt do this last week and didn’t have their big backs attack Beale. Given Lauaki’s out, I bet Beale had some sleep last night!
I expect the Tahs to win by 5-10 points, but it will be a tough game for the Tahs, we have lost to weaker Chiefs sides than this.
Who Needs Melon said | February 20th 2009 @ 9:40am | Report comment
True Tah,
I agree – I’m tipping the tahs this week.
I must admit reading the headline of this article I had some deja vu flashes from the time of the Wallabies tour last year.
– They’d beaten Italy but then England was the real test
– Then after they’d beaten England, France was the REAL test
– Then after they’d beaten France, Wales was the *REAL* test
With the tahs this year I expect we’ll get articles like this each week:
– This week the Chiefs are the real test
– Maybe not the Highlanders or the Reds but the next “real test” will be the Brumbies
– Then the REAL test will be the Crusaders
– Etc.
Worlds Biggest said | February 20th 2009 @ 12:08pm | Report comment
I think Tahs by 10 points but only getting clear in the last 10 minutes. The Chiefs are a reslient yet unpredictable outfit and rarely get well beaten by anyone. It’s a pity Mils is out, he is class and great to watch. Looking forward to seeing some of the younger Tahs show there stuff. I hear the crowd is tipped to be around the 20,000 mark. I would have thought first home game and the buzz generated from last week would see it closer to 30,000. Bring it on !
sportym said | February 20th 2009 @ 9:21pm | Report comment
Well that was the worst game this season, bummer for the Sydney fans, crap opener to the season. Both sides are going to have to lift next week. The chiefs were just bad, the tahs should have put them away .
DaniE said | February 20th 2009 @ 9:47pm | Report comment
Appalling. Just appalling. Nothing more to say.
Blinky Bill from Bellingen said | February 20th 2009 @ 9:54pm | Report comment
The flood waters have at long last subsided around these parts and to celebrate I convinced the Missus to watch Rugby at the pub. Big mistake. It was one of those games that you ask yourself “why did I bother”? What an absolutely crap game to watch. After that she’ll never ever want to watch it again.
The Tahs were bad & the Chiefs were even worse. As I heard one bloke next to me comment “it’s like watching dumb & dumber”. I felt so sorry for the Tahs supporters who paid to sit through that.
The good – Okay there were encouraging signs. Our pack is operating more & more like a pack. Good. I think our line out is good but it’s hard to tell as the Chiefs stuffed up so many of their own throws. Sam Norton Knight looked one of our best. Reliable boot.
The bad – Some outlandish bordering on idiotic passing of the pill under pressure right on our line that could have turned ugly for us.
The ugly – The win. No wait. This was more than an ugly win, it was grotesque.
mcxd said | February 20th 2009 @ 10:38pm | Report comment
Unfortuntely didnt see the game but reading the write up i noticed Beale missed numerous shots at goal ? Are they going to stick with him even though through all last year he had a shocker … im just really surprised that its yet to cost the game.. i wish Burke could put some boots on.
Frank O'Keeffe said | February 21st 2009 @ 2:54am | Report comment
All the excitment of that game combined can’t match the excitment of watching James O’Connor holding the ball for more than two seconds. Terrible game.
LeftArmSpinner said | February 21st 2009 @ 7:37am | Report comment
Andrew, never a truer word spoken. The Chiefs were a true test for the tahs and they passed it, just. I am happy with the performance because, while hardly error free, they showed intent, enterprise and skill on occasions that entertains me. The core basics are there, strong set piece, excellent defence and mongrel at the breakdown. The cohesion will come if we keep the faith with the incumbents.