It’s time true Tahs supporters unite

 

Roar Guru

By chester, 15 Mar 2010 The Crowd is a Roar Guru

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 Brumbies, Lions, Rugby Union, Super Rugby, Waratahs

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As I write this I feel feel pride at Friday night’s result. The Waratahs absolutely caned the Lions. The fans demanded running rugby and running rugby they received.

One would assume that that would stop the endless criticism but unfortunately, no.

Despite the fact the the Real Madrid of Australian rugby (the Brumbies) only just managed to beat the Sharks on Saturday and the Lions last weekend, whilst the Tahs comprehensively smashed the Lions and beat the Sharks, the media still can not bring itself to give credit where credit is due.

The team were clearly jetlagged last week. The Brumbies vs Lions game and the Chiefs loss to the Reds showed the massive challenge a return from South Africa presents in the following week. The Sharks travelled from New Zealand whilst the Tahs travelled from altitude in SA to home for a so-called home ground advantage. The Sharks have 14 Springboks and are a quality side with internal problems. But this wasn’t acknowledged and the press and fans only followed up with negative comments.

It seems baiting the Tahs has become a national sport. It is a disgrace I can no longer stand by.

Every week, fans constantly slate the Tahs. They called for the players to run the ball and Friday they delivered with the highest ever Tahs score. Will this keep the doubters quiet?

I don’t think so.

I strongly concur with Andrew Logan’s article. Most fans believe they have a right to criticise whilst showing no commitment to their side.

My brother has been a Waratah for the past five years. I have proudly followed the team for the past five years. I witnessed first hand their loss in the 2008 final in Christchurch. The team were gutted.

Few people realise the commitment that the players and coaches put in. My brother has left Christmas day with our family to train for the upcoming season.

But every week of the Super 14 season they have to endure the fickle so-called Tahs “fans”.

The Tahs started the season slowly with a win against the Reds which is looking better and better as the season progresses followed by a poor showing against the Stormers. Spiro Zavos wrote in a column that the Tahs had failed to adapt to the new rule changes (and rightly so).

The coaches made some astute changes and the following week against the Bulls they were up against it. They faced arguably the toughest task in world sport – playing the defending Super 14 champions at altitude in Pretoria.

What followed was a fantastic game of rugby. They almost pulled it off. After the game the crowd gave the visiting team a standing ovation. Victor Matfield spoke to the Tahs players after the game as said that no home crowd in Pretoria had ever cheered an away team after the game.

The frustration of fans is palpable but it is not the players’ fault. The number of rule changes that the players have had to adapt to over the past few years is immense.

The ELVs, whilst well conceived, categorically failed to deliver the open rugby intended. Players where expected to run up to 14 kms per game whilst maintain a physical game. AFL ruck rovers weighing 70-80kgs struggle to keep up this pace.

Teams such as the Bulls worked out early on that the rules penalised teams in possession. It was was far better to play field position and wait for an opposition mistake.

The new rules encourage running rugby. It is harder to turn the ball over and penalties result in tries as well as goals.

The Tahs have shown their intent to entertain. They will continue to improve over the coming season. For all the true supporters, stay true.

My message is simple. If you support the Tahs, start showing support, not at home but in person. If you don’t, bugger off and find other ways to pass your time other than criticise a team you clearly don’t support.

This team is full of promise and I believe the next few years will be prosperous for those who stay true.

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