Wasteful Waratahs won’t keep fans

Roar Pro

By Sam Bruce, 16 Apr 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Pro

Tagged:: Rugby Union, Super Rugby, Waratahs

Related coverage

It seems for many diehard Waratahs fans that the highlight of their trip to the SFS this season has been either the chance to win the $5000 from HSBC or to find out how Tah Man will enter the arena.

As the faithful poured out of the doors early on Saturday night (some destined never to return), after another boring, stop-start affair, it was easy to see the disappointment and disgust on the long suffering supporters.

But what exactly are the problems with this dysfunctional side and can they be fixed?

The last two games against the Stormers and Bulls have been real arm-wrestles dominated by endless kicking and an unwillingness to run the ball.

However, on both occasions, the Waratahs have started brilliantly, controlling possession and territory, continually crossed the gain line and providing fans with the hope that this may be the week they click into gear.

Unfortunately, it has only lasted 5-10 minutes, after which the mistakes have crept in and the confidence evaporated.

After the first match of the season, Waratahs coach Chris Hickey said he believed that it may take five to six weeks for his team to click in attack. But, in actual fact, they have gone backwards.

The last six games have only yielded nine tries, the same number scored in the first three rounds, and while the forward pack has been far from dominating, the backs should have done better with the ball they’ve had.

Not since Round One, when Rob Horne cut through the Hurricanes midfield, have the Waratahs dissected an opposition’s defence.

So why is this the case?

Is it a lack of simple skills, like so many former players and those in the media have suggested? Is it a lack of speed, concentration or the wrong half and midfield combinations?

After a host of lacklustre performances, it is obvious these are problems the Waratahs must resolve.

Firstly, the catch and pass skills of some of the Waratahs’ players are far from acceptable. This was shown on Saturday night when blindside flanker Ben Mowen refused to pass to an unmarked Rob Horne, who had the line wide open.

Had that try been scored, the outcome of the game may well have been different.

So what then of the midfield? Should it be Beale or Halangahu, Carter or Tahu?

At the moment there doesn’t appear to be an obvious answer. Whatever the combination, they haven’t been able to get quality ball to their most devastating attacking weapon, Lachlan Turner.

Turner has shown what he can do with ball in hand, but he simply hasn’t been given the opportunities his talent deserves.

The Waratahs’ refusal to chance their arm has also proved to be a stumbling block.

Under the ELVs, the need for a skilful backrow and a back three willing to take on the defence in counter attack has been obvious, with the Sharks and Chiefs showing how destructive they can be thanks to Messrs Pietersen, Ndungane, Masaga and Sivivatu.

Turnover ball must be used and not kicked away, something the Waratahs have failed to recognise this year.

Can these problems be solved, then, before their run in to the finals, or will their title tilt evaporate without a whimper? Is the talent really there or have they once again managed to fool us into thinking they are contenders when they are merely pretenders?

The fans have one more chance this season to challenge for the HSBC cash carrot and to salute the ever-enthusiastic Tah Man.

Hopefully they’ll leave the game talking of tries, line breaks and ruthless defence instead of how close they came to claiming the cash.

After all, it’s what these long suffering folk really crave and something they definitely deserve.

Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.

The Crowd Says (19) | Page 1 of Comments

mother teresa said | April 16th 2009 @ 7:12am | Report comment

the article “are the waratahs poorly coached” received 86 respondents .most argued that the coaching ,esp backs was poor or the problem was deeper ;a cultural/political one.clearly wisemantel aint wise or is it the board.your choice

Reply
LeftArmSpinner said | April 16th 2009 @ 7:38am | Report comment

sam, i agree. But, they are also losing the players. where there is smoke, there is fire. Tahu is on his way to the roosters……….. let he and his hammies go. So, SNK and TAHU so far with more off contract.

Reply
LeftArmSpinner said | April 16th 2009 @ 7:53am | Report comment

Oh, and read the press today…….everyone pounding the rugby code on the basis that the Tahs dont get the ball to Tahu.

I say the Tahs coaches are doing significant damage to player confidence, the Tahs brand, the tahs audience, the chances of the 2009 winning super 14 and the code itself. the Tahs are guilty of many things including bringing the code into disrepute.

lets remember that it was very similar last year. But the cries were addressed when Burgess had his first start in the run on team, armed with a change of tactics.

So, rather than learning from the past, the current coaches adopt the previously unsuccessful tactics and now have dropped Burgess and Beale. give me a break. Get the tactics right first…………………

Reply
Knives Out said | April 16th 2009 @ 8:05am | Report comment

Just briefly: living in Europe I tend to get my Australian rugby news off Rugby Heaven, Fox, the various Australian papers and Gold and Green (Green and Gold?) and I recall a recent story with Tahu confirming his desire to play union, what is this Roosters talk?

“Get the tactics right first…………………”

The recent NSW Super rugby record would suggest the tactics are fine, has it not occurred to you, LAS, that Burgess and Beale are simply not able to replicate the training paddock on the pitch, or that they lack the skill set in the first place.

Reply
mother teresa said | April 16th 2009 @ 8:20am | Report comment

knives out,a bad tradesman blames his tools;to improve others ,improve self.clearly if something can be done in practice there is nothing wrong with the physical attributes;then very clearly its a mental problem that needs to be simulated at practice.again have a good look at the culture and coaching.you will find the problem(s) at once

Reply
Ruckingisfun said | April 16th 2009 @ 8:26am | Report comment

MT – i think you’re being too idealistic – the Board will just get rid of more soldiers and declare they are making tough decisions to right the ship – there is one constant however!

Reply
mother teresa said | April 16th 2009 @ 8:28am | Report comment

yes ,i think you are right mate

Reply
Yikes said | April 16th 2009 @ 9:21am | Report comment

Yawn… I love hearing how the so-called fans are going to desert the Waratahs who are playing not great rugby, but are 4th on the ladder with 6 wins from 9 games.

How the hell would they cope if they were Rabbitohs fans, or Chicago Cubs fans, or Swans fans during the dark days, or heaven forbid, Lions or Cheetahs fans??

That’s the problem with rugby’s demographic in Australia, full of arrogant, upper class, fairweather, I’m-entitled whingers.

(Not that’s that necessarily you, Sam, you at least seem to be optimistic!)

Reply
mother teresa said | April 16th 2009 @ 9:52am | Report comment

yes yikes i agree with you ,it is not good being negative all the time tho i guess healthy criticism is ok.mind you nswru dropping a successful coach probably fuels this negativity,dont you think

Reply
PastHisBest said | April 16th 2009 @ 11:19am | Report comment

>>has it not occurred to you, LAS, that Burgess and Beale are simply not able to replicate the training paddock on the pitch, or that they lack the skill set in the first place.

One could say the same about players for the Blues, Knives.

Reply