The Reds can play, the Tahs refuse to
Roar Guru
By LeftArmSpinner, 15 Feb 2010 LeftArmSpinner is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Reds, Rugby Union, Super Rugby, Waratahs
The Reds won most aspects of the game Saturday night, except the final scoreboard. Tries (3-2); conversions (2/3-2/4); line breaks (5-3); offloads (11-3); runs (73-70); successful tackle percentage (86%-65%); missed tackles (11-36).
The Reds played rugby. The Waratahs didn’t until the final 5 minutes.
But the Reds conceded more penalties, 15-10, and turned the ball over, 19-16.
The Reds, despite a very poor crowd, played aggressive, combative rugby. They played as if they understood the importance of the game and treated it with respect that it deserved. They told their supporters, and only their “core” supporters remain now, that it was the start of a new era and that they would give everything they had on the field playing attacking rugby.
They delivered. Genia, Ioane and Cooper played attacking rugby. Davies supported them. Horwill was back to his very best.
The Reds will win other games in the 2010 Super 14 season and might even surprise a few more highly fancied teams.
The Waratahs also told us that they would play attacking rugby. They didn’t. I can only imagine that Wisemantel and Hickey have pulled the 2009 playbook off the shelf thinking it is the 2010 edition.
The 2009 playbook was unique in that it only contained two plays: 1. Kick; 2. If in doubt about play 1, kick it harder.
We remaining Waratahs supporters (and it is public knowledge that I am seriously considering moving my support to the Rebels) were told ad infinitum that this year’s team would play attractive, ball in hand rugby.
Waugh, and Wisemantel and Hickey failed to mention that they would only play it for the last 4 minutes of the game. For the other 76 minutes, they would disrespect the crowd, their supporters, the rugby community and themselves with inexplicably unimaginative, unentertaining, boring, ineffective rugby.
The scoreboard told us that it didn’t even qualify as the infamous “winning ugly” rugby promised in 2009.
Burgess had a belated return to form. His passes were crisp and accurate. He rediscovered his running game from the scrum base as well as his exaggerated dummy. I am very pleased that something he learned from his father and uncle is still part of his arsenal in the professional game.
Burgess and Genia will keep each other honest in their chase for the Wallabies 9 jersey. Both are excellent half backs.
The Waratahs mid field was poor. There was no attempt to use the basic principles of ball in hand backline play until the final few minutes. Same tactics as 2009, same coaches as 2009, different players.
I can only deduce that the responsibility for the playing strategy lies with the Waratahs coaches.
Barnes, Beale and Carter were never in the game. Barnes was completely outplayed and more importantly, out-thought by Cooper. Barnes’ only saving grace is that he will be available for selection while Cooper may be in the “Big House”.
Beale did not influence the game at all other than a clever kick into space for the flying Lochie Turner. Turner should be begging the Melbourne Rebels to sign him.
I am a fan of Carter and his passionate style of play. I know he is not the fastest 13 in rugby. But, he looked slower than usual, even against Tuinui.
At 13, at with the running game now adopted by the other Super 14 teams, he could be exposed by a quicker man. We should have read between the lines with the selection of Carter at 13. The Waratahs had no intention of playing attacking rugby.
Drew Mitchell, now on his third Super 14 team, slotted comfortably into the Waratahs kicking game. He is a gifted but lazy footballer. Kicking suits his work ethic. He got lucky, very lucky with one kick in the first half. The others were poor in concept and execution. Anesi tried to run the ball back but had to do it on his own.
The Waratahs need to be aware that the new interpretation of the breakdown is working. The New Zealand teams have embraced it and are running it where ever possible.
Halangahu performed when he joined the fray. He is an intelligent footballer. He is a quarter back style of play maker. He gets the big picture of a game and plans accordingly, directing and empowering others to get the job done.
This is a warning to the Waratahs:
Embrace the running game NOW or prepare to be overrun, overwhelmed and outscored by teams such as the Crusaders, the Highlanders, the Brumbies, the Force, the Blues and the Hurricanes.
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sheek said | February 15th 2010 @ 7:59am | Report comment
Leftie,
What kind of sport spawns administrators, officials, legislators, coaches & players, the majority of whom seem to believe that presenting their sport in its best light, is least important?
Please don’t say rugby union….. the question is rhetorical……….
LeftArmSpinner said | February 15th 2010 @ 8:22am | Report comment
sheek, i just love rhetorical in the morning!!!
But dont forget, its also less fun playing the way they do!!!
thats not rhetorical, that’s self flagilation!
“What kind of sport spawns administrators, officials, legislators, coaches & players, the majority of whom seem to enjoy self flagilation!!!!!!(believe that presenting their sport in its best light, is least important?)
Even looser said | February 15th 2010 @ 8:04am | Report comment
Interesting! “Barnes was completely outplayed and more importantly, out-thought by Cooper”. ‘Out thought’? I didn’t realise that thought & Cooper could be used in the same sentence.
Sorry but while Cooper had a good game, it was mainly Genia’s wonderful service that gave him time and space. Even with that he mostly just bobbed & danced on the spot. By contrast Barnes had to contend with slow and laboured service from the NSW number 9, that denied Barnes, Beale & Carter any room to move.
IMHO for NSW to utilise our backs we need our 9 to get that ball moving asap everytime otherwise we will get smashed by better teams. If Burgess isn’t up to the task (and I have my doubts) then replace him with someone who will give better service.
LeftArmSpinner said | February 15th 2010 @ 8:27am | Report comment
looser, point taken. on the field, he excels. off the field he is as daft as a brush!
genia is great for every team he plays in.
I dont agree with Burgess giving slow laboured service. I thought he had a good game. Barnes, Beale and Carter (BBC) chose not to play ball in hand. barnes had enough time for a shot at field goal. what message did that send every one???
“We are the Tahs and our game plan is borrowed from England!!!!”
There were occasions when the ball was there, and Burgess was down to the ball, looking around as to who to pass it to. that is not his fault. it is up to the play maker/s to tell the 1/2 where they are going.
But, how many times did the tahs backs get a bit of space and simply kick it back, aimlessly and thoughtlessly and poorly.
stillmissit said | February 15th 2010 @ 11:07am | Report comment
Lefty spot on they seem to be totally disorganised in the backs AGAIN. Burgess would be amongst best players if he was playing behind a committed pack and would have looked good behind QLD on Sat. night.
The Waratahs strike me on occasions like a bunch of school kids where they all want to get their hands on the ball then don’t know what to do with it when they do get it – so they kick.
Benny said | February 15th 2010 @ 12:46pm | Report comment
totally agree lefty – i thought both halves were excellent on saturday – best defenders and attackers for both sides
Jared said | February 15th 2010 @ 8:33am | Report comment
Mostly agree with this article. Points I picked up
1. The Waratahs have the most boring, overhyped, lazy backline in the game. I would prefer a bunch of no names who at least tried.
2. Drew Mitchell should be dropped he is an absolute waste of space and opposing teams know it. Being lazy is only the start of his problems.
3. The Waratahs should get out of the gym and just practice catching the ball. For me this is the number one problem in their game, no one can hold onto the bloody pill. They should study nfl players and the two hands policy.
4. After watching the Australian teams it is clear they are just not up to it. When it comes to professional sports our players just dont make the grade. The quality of rugby from NZ, Sth Africa and 6 nations is so far above us, I think it will be a long long season.
LeftArmSpinner said | February 15th 2010 @ 12:05pm | Report comment
jared, i couldnt agree more. but, that said, i just dont understand it. why dont they at least try to run it? its actually fun! and wins rugby games and brings the fans back!!!!
Rickety Knees said | February 15th 2010 @ 8:55am | Report comment
G’day Leftie – for mine the Tahs are playing the exact same style as they did under McKenzie (for which he got sacked for). I have seen nothing change under Hickey and Weismantel. The once constant is Phil Waugh (who is a strong personality and was mean spirited in failing to acknowledge McKenzie in his end of season speach in 2008 – which suggests that he had a role in McKenzie’s demise). I am starting now to wonder as to who exactly is coaching the Tahs.
Red Rooster said | February 16th 2010 @ 6:35am | Report comment
RK – Waugh is the captain and probably calls the plays on field so you might be onto something
LeftArmSpinner said | February 16th 2010 @ 6:45am | Report comment
rr, this might be a the case. but, surely when the capt. comes out and says, we are playing ball in hand, it is reasonable to expect that that will occur or at the very least, that there will be evidence of them trying to run it.
Barnes is calling the plays, surely. Not waugh. he has his head in the ruck.
barnes will be operating on how he has been coached and advised/directed by the coaching staff.
Short-Blind. said | February 16th 2010 @ 8:52am | Report comment
Leftie et al, yes waugh has his head in the rucks however later in those moments when the team is gathered do you see him barking at them for too much kicking etc – even when they have space and overlaps? NO. He is happy for the style/team to revert to the combative tight piggy game he loves. As I’ve said on other threads NSW have the cattle but with Waugh’s captaincy and Hickey’s coaching they cannot win a S14. I am waiting to see if Hickey changes things in the next coupe of games – if not they will be overrun by teams who are having a crack (as stated above). One other reason I think NSW do not run in more – they are AFRAID. there is so much expectation and hence pressure on them to succeed they seem unwilling to try in case they screw it up and cause a loss. The coaches must encourage an environment of ‘having a go’ without repercussions (within reason) to unlock this mental fear seemingly inside the heads of the Tahs backline.
LeftArmSpinner said | February 15th 2010 @ 9:21am | Report comment
Its the 2009 play book!!!! Oh deary me!!!!
Just who do they think they are kidding??
But did you see the NZ games: Blues V canes and saders V highlanders; breathtaking ball in hand rugby!!!!!
I say it again: Oh deary me!!!!
And the much vaunted tahs defence wont have the advantage at the breakdown as in past seasons nor did their pack dominate the reds “flotsam and jetsam” Pack. I thiought the reds forwards were vedry good and played above their supposed ability. at least they came to play.
Benny said | February 15th 2010 @ 12:48pm | Report comment
27 canes points scored from Pens and FGs – awesome
PastHisBest said | February 15th 2010 @ 3:53pm | Report comment
Yes, yes Benny…but did you Watch The Game?? Plenty of action by both sets of backs.
Benny said | February 17th 2010 @ 11:59am | Report comment
And every time a team even looks like scoring a ref ruins it or a team purposely gives away penalties (as the reds did in the 1st half) – the refs need to issue more yellow cards to let the game flow
Chris K said | February 15th 2010 @ 4:01pm | Report comment
I watched the Blues V Canes game, There wasn’t much “breathtaking ball in hand rugby”, and to be honest the Waraths desrved their win more than the hurricanes did. The Canes barely looked like scoring a try for the whole 80 mins and the Blues forgot to play the last 40 mins.
It’s all well and good to bash the Waratahs for their boring style of play and i agree there, but you have to bare in mind this is the first game of the season and the Waratahs never play their best against the Reds. If the Waratahs keep playing like they did for the rest of the season then I think it’s time we all give up hope on them. But for now I think it’s too early to tell and I think you should stop exagerating (please watch the Blues vs Canes to see what I mean).
Campbell Watts said | February 16th 2010 @ 5:05pm | Report comment
LAS i’m with you!
Watching the Crusaders/Highlanders game was a spectical of skilled running rugby….
Then the Tahs/Reds game showed us all how not to do it! Dropped ball, headless-chiken kicking etc.. etc..
The Tahs will play the same boring old gameplan this year and stuff it up yet again come the struggle for top 4 postions.
terrykidd said | February 15th 2010 @ 9:35am | Report comment
Sorry LAS I have to agree with Even Looser. The service from Burgess was awfully slow. His pass is flatter but still quite slow and it is not long. Yes, he did stand over the ball lookiong around, he was obviously not hearing Barnes, or Beale, as they were obviously yelling at him. Quite often Burgess was talking to the pigs near him. Barbes, Beale and Carter had little chance to play ball in hand rugby as the Reds defence was in their face by the time they received any ball. The back three had little chance to counterattack as the Reds put a good chase on for their kicks.
I said last week that my worry for the Tahs was the speed of service that Burgess would provide and whether or not there would be enough time and space for the backline. Unfortunately that worry was proven. I might add in all other areas Burgess played well. The service from halfback when Holmes came was noticeably quicker, however in all other areas I much prefer Burgess to Holmes.
The answer must be to improve the halves communication and get speed and length into Burgess’ clearances, otherwise give McKibbin a go.
Rickety Knees said | February 15th 2010 @ 10:15am | Report comment
I agree TK – as much as I like Burgess as a great kids role model – his service was at best pedestrian. Let’s see what McKibben has to offer.
As stated in another thread Mitchell is over hyped and for everything good thing he does there is always a correspending howler. His kicks get regularly charged down and he was lucky not have been yellow carded with a stupid off side on Saturday night.
Who Needs Melon said | February 15th 2010 @ 11:20am | Report comment
I agree too.
I’d give Burgess another go but task him the next game with delivery out of the rucks as quick as possible and to underplay his running game. In other words, as soon as you see it, grab it and pass it. IF you are going to run with it, do it sparingly and run in such a way as draw opposition AWAY from the man you’re going to pass to. He did a nice little flick pass which highlighted exactly what he SHOULD be doing at one stage.
I’ve been a supporter of Burgess in the past but right now he needs to adapt or become extinct. Waratahs can’t afford to wait a few weeks to see if he discovers his game.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen said | February 15th 2010 @ 10:52am | Report comment
Agree Burgess was slow to deliver (too much standing over the ball) and his pass wasn’t crisp enough at times. I liked his defence. And his sniping runs, while adding good variety, fail to fool too many these days.
Just a wee shot at the coaches for a moment, if I may. Knowing that Qld would be quick off the mark to try & shut down the Barnes/Beale combination, I was looking for The Plan to combat this. I saw absolutely nothing. No sleight of hand, nothing to put the opposition in 2 minds….zip. And that’s a worry I have with the coaching.
Their job is to get the right guys for the position and play to our strengths. NSW fans were aching for the ball to get out clean and fast. To put it another way, if Genia was wearing sky blue then I believe Barnes/Beale/Carter/ Mitchell & Turner would have received ball that you can do something with. Too many hospital passes for my liking.
stillmissit said | February 15th 2010 @ 11:02am | Report comment
The Reds were robbed and played as if they wanted to win. Waratahs played that boring conservative stuff that takes them nowhere as noted by many above. No team effort and too many players loafing and not supporting the runner. Don’t seem to have worked out that speed breaks down defences.
If I was Robbie Deans I would be a very worried man at the moment because it seems all of the Australian franchises are playing poor rugby with too many handling errors. The difference between what I saw in NZ and SA is like night and day. We could take all the bottom positions after the Cheetahs and the Lions.
Genia, Horwill, Ioane, Hynes best players on the park. For NSW where was Robinson the great white hope in the front row? Carter is gutsy but too slow and has to go, fitted into last years defence oriented rugby but is too poor to play open fast rugby. Where is Horne still injured or playing in the Jnr game? Barnes looks the goods to me, Palu was best forward in a lazy pack and Burgess had best game for a year in a poor pack performance of individuals.
Mals said | February 16th 2010 @ 7:36am | Report comment
Robinson was there dismantling the Reds scrum, or didn’t you watch the game? Tight heads NSW 2 QLD 0.
stillmissit said | February 16th 2010 @ 11:33am | Report comment
Mals – I didn’t see the Reds scrum dismantled and didn’t even realise there had been more than one tighthead. All I saw was a bunch of Waratahs forwards doing what they did last year and that is playing as bloody individuals and letting forwards go one off too often, not hitting the ruck with intent or numbers, barely holding there own in the lineout and generally being beaten by the weaker Reds pack.
rugbyfuture said | February 15th 2010 @ 11:04am | Report comment
I feel so sorry for reds fans, but still, its awesome the tahs won.
I agree that the Tahs played crap on the night, and only woke up in those last couple of minutes (its better than a crap finish aint it). I think that the tahs will pick up though in the season and start to play it more, everyone is adjusting and the reds did it better.
LeftArmSpinner said | February 15th 2010 @ 12:03pm | Report comment
Why can NZ teams hit the ground running in round 1 and the tahs are wrong tactically and mentally. building for what? slaughter at the hand of any of the NZ teams. a try is worth 66% more than a field goal!!!!! It makes it a long night.
Sam Taulelei said | February 15th 2010 @ 12:46pm | Report comment
LAS
The Tahs looked jetlagged to me and it took them 60 minutes before they woke up, yes it wasn’t a great performance from them but they won. As Phil Waugh said afterwards these are the wins that count at the business end of the season and you take it any way you can and then move on.
If they started like world beaters then everyone would be overhyping their performance and setting unrealistic expectations while the rest of us will sit and wait for the expected mid to late season slump. Teams can turn their fortunes and style around during a season. I remember in 1997 the Hurricanes were playing crap rugby and lost their first three games. The players took a honest look at themselves and decided how they wanted to play the game and then took apart Northern Transvaal before setting off on a great run towards the semifinals playing exhilarating rugby along the way. The Chiefs did it last year as well. The Tahs historically do it in reverse, like the Sharks, be the competition frontrunners and then crash when they need to kick on.
If they make the finals this year it will be wins like this, as ugly as it is, that will have gotten them there. As a Hurricanes supporter that’s how I’m approaching each of their games, get the points if you’re good enough and then move on to the next game. Not everyone can be as clinical as well as entertaining like the Crusaders.