Home games key for Tahs’ finals chances

Roar Pro

By Chris McKay, 7 Apr 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Pro

Tagged:: Rugby Union, Super Rugby, Waratahs

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The race for the top four is about to heat up and the Tahs’ two final home games against the Bulls and Force are pivotal to their finals chances in 2009.

Enough has been said in the media about the dour play of the Tahs, but the focus on all teams is to win games and the Tahs have been successful in doing this, especially considering the losses sustained in the forward pack in the off season and the relative inexperience of the backline.

What the Tahs do have in their favour is that they are a very difficult side to analyse and play against.

They have a good forward pack, and with the second best defence in the competition, are able to play the percentage game and suffocate their opposition. No team has ever won a Super Title that didn’t have rock solid defence or have parity in the set piece, so the fundamentals are there.

What they do lack at present is real thrust in attack.

They also have some serious strike weapons in their backline which have yet to be unleashed. But I get the feeling that if Hangers is left at 10, Carter at 12 and Horne at 13, then things are not too far off clicking and when they do, the Tahs will be even more of a threat than the Chiefs because they have a tight five more than equal to any other tight five.

The Bulls have been struggling to score points and this should not change this weekend.

The Force will be a very tough game, but whilst their attack is superb, they will struggle to get clean ball from set piece and the breakdown like the Reds afforded them.

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The Crowd Says (3) | Page 1 of Comments

Bay35Pablo said | April 7th 2009 @ 1:37pm | Report comment

The Tahs haven’t really missed a beat with their forwards. The shocking season in 2007 with injuries ensured Mumm and Caldwell got lots of game time, meaning they just slotted into the team. Each of them has quite a few NSW caps now.

I’d rather be not playing 100% now with improvement to come, than cruising at top form and waiting for a fall.

I think the Bulls will be the big test. If we win that we set up beautifully for the finals, lose and we suddenly get nervous and every game means so much more. Which never suits us mentally …..

The top 4 may well remain as is, with only the next 2 (Saders & Canes) really threatening. I’d love it if the Saders could sneak into 4th, knock off the Sharks away, leaving the Tahs to win their semi for a home final and to get revenge for last year!!! But we’d have to play at Homebush …

I can’t see us winning more than 3 of the remaining 5 games, meaning a home semi may be too hard depending on how other teams make their run in. Love to be proven wrong.

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aeisler said | April 9th 2009 @ 2:17pm | Report comment

Bay35Pablo. Right on… can’t say enough about how well the Forwards are doing without some of the stars

…. Big things for the tahs if we can hold onto lachie, waugh and our young future stars.

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Bay35Pablo said | April 9th 2009 @ 2:22pm | Report comment

My fears are, based on the gossip, the Euros are after Waugh, NSWRU asked for marquee status to throw cash and keep him, the ARU has refused this and won’t top up his package. This means he may be lured away, and a lot of players are off contract at the end of the year and are waiting to see if he stays. Him leaving could lead to a general exodus. Waugh is the heart and soul of that team, and the team loves him, and for a 30 pieces of silver the ARU may be willing to let him and half the team go. usual boofheads in ARU HQ. Nice to see them looking after a great servant of Australian rugby!!

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