Will Waratahs entertain us or drive us away?
Roar Guru
By Rickety Knees, 21 Jan 2010 Rickety Knees is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Rugby Union, Super Rugby, Waratahs
Waratahs' Wycliff Palu comes under pressure from the Highlanders' defence during round 3 of the Super 14 Rugby match at Sydney Football Stadium, Friday, Feb. 27, 2009. AAP Image/Dean Lewins
There has been much written about 2009 being Annus Horribilus for Australian rugby. No Australian Super 14 team making the Super 14 finals laid the foundation for this.
The Waratahs, the best performing Australian Super 14 side in 2009, had at best a mixed season.
At worst, they chose to ignore their backline and passed up try scoring opportunities (and bonus points) to play “ugly rugby”.
The ultimate irony being that the Waratahs just missed out on the semi finals, by not accruing enough bonus points, even though they won more games than the team finishing above them in fourth position.
In the process, crowd numbers and TV viewers were significantly reduced as fans lost interest.
Monty Python lives on.
The off-season has seen many articles written and many spleens vented by Waratah supporters – reflecting anger and frustration with a season which saw a highly talented Waratah team play one dimensional rugby, continually kicking the ball away, even within the opponents 22!
In 2008, the previous Waratah coach, Ewen McKenzie, was sacked mid-term for playing an unattractive style of rugby. In another twist of irony, his replacement, Chris Hickey, in 2009, added dimension to ugly rugby and took it to a new level of inane boredom.
So where to in 2010? What have Messrs Hickey, Weismantel and Waugh in store for the Waratahs in 2010? Will they seek to entertain or continue to drive us away?
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Roger said | January 21st 2010 @ 8:22am | Report comment
Teams with good 5/8′s play good rugby. Edmonds, Warner, McCrae, Donnelly, SKK, Halangahu, Beale never were able to control games like the likes of Carter, Spencer, Larkham, Giteau or even Flatley, Donald, Preorius, Gopperth, Hougard etc. Now there ia a big difference between ‘star’ quality and the ability to ‘control’ a game, and unfortunately tahs fans have often been blinded by prospects who have pently of razzle and dazzle but when pressure comes on they fade…and go play in Europe.
sheek said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:16am | Report comment
Just to be contrary here, the French have mostly produced tradesman-like flyhalfs. This hasn’t stopped them from often playing the most breath-taking running rugby.
Arguably their potentially best ever – Jo Maso – was banished for roughly half his career!
The point being, providing you have explosive, innovative players around you, you don’t need the flyhalf himself to be brilliant. Just a good distributor & tactical kicker is sufficient.
Roger said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:33am | Report comment
Sheek, I think we are agreeing rather than being contrary. My piint was that the Tahs have needed a good kicker and distributor all these years, but have instead had players who have being trying to emulate Mark Ella, to theirs and teams detrmiment.
sheek said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:44am | Report comment
“Piint”? ….. you need sweezers? ….. lol…..
Roger said | January 21st 2010 @ 10:14am | Report comment
Good POINT Sheek, I could do with a PINT or two.
Peter West said | January 21st 2010 @ 8:26am | Report comment
To me its about how Hickey uses Barnes – as a general at 10 or a battering ram at 12. I hope he uses him at 10.
Bob said | January 21st 2010 @ 12:01pm | Report comment
whatever they do, theyll be sure to stuff up yet again!
Bruce Ross said | January 21st 2010 @ 8:43am | Report comment
“annus horribilis” – is that Latin for piles?
sheek said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:17am | Report comment
I like that…..
Blinky Bill of Bellingen said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:35am | Report comment
Ha ha ha!!!!!!!!
LeftArmSpinner said | January 21st 2010 @ 8:44am | Report comment
Its about Wisemantel and Hickey. Wisemantel needs to get a backline that can function early in the season and then sustain. the pack is okay, in fact pretty good.
Hickey needs to be bold and score some tries.
it was not about bonus points. it was about ppoints for and against.
Wavell Wakefield said | January 21st 2010 @ 8:49am | Report comment
The pack was excellent last year; the scrum was very,very good and Mowen was a real threat in the air.
Rickety Knees said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:11am | Report comment
Thanks Leftie – I wonder what Weismantel did last year. I suspect that Waugh is a dominant personality and perhaps the win ugly approach – a term used by him – was his strategy to make the most of what he saw as being the Waratahs strength. All that aside Hickey needs to make make a public statement (like Andy Friend) and state his intentions for this season and then deliver. .
LeftArmSpinner said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:03am | Report comment
oh, and my backline would be:
9. Burgess
10. Halangahu (interchangeable with Barnes but hangers as principal 10)
12. Barnes (Covers 10)
13. Horne (if he ever gets fit for more than a few games at a time)
11. Turner
14. Senesi
15. Beale
Res backs:
Holmes (for 9 and 12)
Sidey (12 and 13.) (if he is quick enough- I just dont know)
Mitchell for 11, 14 and 15 (he needs to be under pressure to perform so give him nothing early in the season)
Bench gets at least 20 minutes in every game, otherwise dont pick ‘em.
Stick with the same backline for at least four games.
Of the 9 backs, 2 are Qlders, 1 is a Kiwi and 2 commenced footy life in league but left early on during school days (hangers and beale). so that is the way to get ‘em. not in their 20′s.
44% (Beale, Horne, Mitchell and Turner) where Aust school boys reps.
Roger said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:16am | Report comment
Good to see you are still passionate about the Tahs LAS, you sure have copped a flogging with your recent heart-to-heart about rebels:) I for one think you have been unfairly maligned although talk of changing teams on a website where passion about your teams is a bit odf a red falg to a bull. I hope other appreciate your efforts over time as an indication about how heavily your carry the TAhs woes.
Onto this thread, I have to say, if the TAHS don’t play Anesi at fullback (a former All Black player (1) who actually plays FB who is a MARQUEE player presumably signed for some decent $$$), then the whole exercise of signing a marquee player seems a waste of time. Mitchell and Turner are wingers, plain and simple, and Beale looks the goods as a super sub if ever I saw one.
What do you (and others) think of my theory that the TAHS woes over the years have been directly caused by not having a decent 5/8? Tahs have always had good ball and speed outside so it seems that the link between those is the problem (and it aint halfback).
Rickety Knees said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:22am | Report comment
Roger I agree with your 5/8 assertions. That is why I would prefer Barnes at 10 (for both the Tahs and the Wallabies). He is an all round great player – pass, kick, drop kick, and tackle. Hangers at 10 is more of the same of last year and years gone past. We have a champion 10 lets use him.
Bay35Pablo said | January 21st 2010 @ 12:21pm | Report comment
Agreed on the lack of a 5/8 always being one of the major issues with the Tahs. Can someone name the last good (let alone great) one we had?
Terry Kidd said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:08am | Report comment
If I see less kicking then I’ll be happy.
Tis good to see that Will Caldwell has been selected on the bench for this weekend’s trial. Good onyer Will, come back strong and earn a Wallabies cap mate ….. a position at lock is up for grabs, go for it.
Rickety Knees said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:16am | Report comment
It is good to see Cladwell back – I believe that he was very ill – TK any idea what the problem was?
sheek said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:22am | Report comment
I think a lot of rugby folk & teams suffer philosophically. It’s like sex – we talk a lot about how much we like running rugby, but very few of us are actually doing it at all, or to the extent that we would like!!!
The human spirit baffles me. If rugby teams were playing “on-the-edge-of-your-seats” rugby, they would have fans crashing down gates at stadiums to get in & see the action. Then everyone would benefit.
But alas, too many professionals covet their current position above all else.
Terry Kidd said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:25am | Report comment
Hi Knees, mate I have no idea what his problem was … but I am glad he is back.
Leftie … I would prefer Barnes at 10 …. the backline will need a general. I’m not sure that Hangers is quite up to it and I know that Beale isn’t. My backline would be:
Burgess
Barnes
Halangahu or Carter
Horne
Turner
Mitchell
Sanesi
with Beale on the bench.
Roger said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:30am | Report comment
Good one Terry, my team as well, although I am hoping Rory Sidey impresses too after playing Heinken Cup / Magners elague. It will be interesting with Sidey…if he does very well, NH roarers will be riding high, although if he is not up to the mark, SH roarers will start to sink the boot in.
Rickety Knees said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:45am | Report comment
TK – I am no Mitchell fan – for every good thing he does there is always a corresponding howler. Beale would be my fullback – this position is also open for the Wallabies (AAC is better used at 13 – Mortlock is too old).
My backline
Burgess
Barnes
Carter
Horne
Sanesi
Turmer
Beale
Mitchell and Hangers on the bench – (Burgess will come under pressure if his pass does not improve).
Bay35Pablo said | January 21st 2010 @ 12:24pm | Report comment
Not Carter now I think about it. Hangers at 12 & a fit Horne at 13.. If Sidey comes good he may threaten too.
Beale is still young and should probably be more a super sub while he learns from Barnes this year.
Anesi at fullback now I am aware that is his preferred position.
Terry Kidd said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:38am | Report comment
G’day Roger, I haven’t seen enough of Sidey to get an idea on his strengths and weaknesses so I’m keeping my powder dry with regard to him …. possibly a bench spot at this time but I would like to see him do well and put pressure on the others. Is he a 12 or 13?
Blinky Bill of Bellingen said | January 21st 2010 @ 9:52am | Report comment
I’m just about to drag my butt up to Lismore for camping AND to see the Qld Reds & NSW Tahs trial game. Can’t wait.
Agree our forwards are as good as any (better than most) and should win plenty of good ball. So the problem must be in the backs? 5/8th…not too sure. Maybe Captain Phil has been way too conservative. But then IF we’d won the S14 I’d probably think he’s tactics were fine. But it seemed pretty clear early on last season that we were failing to accumulate bonus points and that came back ro bite us on the arse. Hopefully Hickey & Waugh have learnt and we’re in for a great season.
Therefore, IF they start this amiless kicking routine or failing to put the ball the ball in front of the player or not getting the pill to the wingers (at least occassionally) then I’ll be spewing.
Roger – word is that Anesi will be fullback on Saturday night.
I know this Reds v Tahs game is just a trial, but I’d love to see the Tahs nail their flag to the mast and make it clear that they will be running the ball at every opportunity.
Go the Tahs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rickety Knees said | January 21st 2010 @ 10:17am | Report comment
BBoB – can please gives us your post match report?