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I was fortunate enough to secure a seat in what was a packed forum at the SFS theatrette. There were nervous faces amongst some of the officialdom and certainly Phil Waugh looked a little apprehensive before proceedings commenced.
An introduction was given by the NSW Waratahs CEO, Mr. Jason Allen who also doubled as the Master of Ceremonies.
The room had some well known media identities amongst the crowd including Greg Clark, Louise Ransome from the ABC, The Roar’s Spiro Zavos and others.
From the start there was a sense that the forum was going to be heated yet civilised.
The panel chosen to front their fans consisted of Drew Mitchell, Chris Hickey (coach), Michael Foley and Scott Bowen (assistant coaches), Chris Webb (team manager) and Phil Waugh (Captain).
There was a brief introduction by the CEO before the questions from the forum began to erupt. To the CEO’s credit, he did a good job of keeping the lid on what threatened on numerous occasions to be a very explosive forum.
The questions were heavily focussed on the Waratahs consistently booting the leather off the ball, their lack of belief in each other, their inability to play attacking running rugby, their aimless kicking, their consistent kicking, and their obsession with kicking.
The questions also targeted the Waratahs’ complacency in not chasing the bonus point victory, their lack of on-field sense of urgency, their seeming lack of pride and their below par execution of basic football handling skills.
Chris Hickey attempted to answer the majority of the questions. He did so very defensively.
In fact, I can’t help but think that the the fans’ need to see expansive, attacking and positive rugby has fallen on deaf ears with the Waratahs’ administration yet again. I hope I am wrong.
Chris Hickey, very disappointingly, reverted to statistics in an attempt to defend their style of play.
The fans then heard about the Waratahs being the fourth highest try scorer in the competition and then the high amount of passes that had been thrown.
But what we did not hear was how many of those passes were actually well executed passes, that is, passes that did not go above the receiver’s head or behind him or worst still, straight over the sideline.
There was no mention of how the majority of the tries scored by the Waratahs this season occurred in the first two games.
Critically and crucially, there was no mention of the statistic that matters the most and that is the reason why we were all there in the first place: how the Waratahs going to stop the haemorrhaging of fans.
It is at the crossroads. Unless the Waratahs front up and take responsibility across the board now then we could very well see the Life Support machine switched on by the end of the season.
What was beautiful about the forum was that the fans seemed to be in sync, working as a team and in unison.
Most of the views were unified and supported by the occasional interjection when a Waratah official again tried to use statistics to explain their on-field performances.
From the forum we moved on to a preview of a video documentary which will certainly be interesting viewing considering the lows the Waratahs have put themselves and their fans through this season.
Then it was out into the change rooms to rub shoulders with some of the players and officialdom whilst enjoying a meat pie and some soft beverages.
I walked away feeling a little empty but it was Phil Waugh that gave me a glimmer of hope. I was able to corner Phil Waugh over a meat pie in the change room and I asked him what he thought of tonight’s proceedings.
He expressed to me his strong desire to get back on the field and for the Waratahs to play passionate and well executed attacking rugby.
All in all, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
If the Waratahs swallow their pride and listen to what their fans are pleading with them to do, then we should see a 50 point relentless mauling of the Lions tomorrow night.
A passionate, ruthless and consistently fierce Waratah side will restore some of the damage that has been done. It will start the healing process and if it continues the fans will hopefully come back in droves.
But, if the Waratahs continue their droll boring disrespect of the running game then they will be lucky to get 10,000 at ANZ stadium for the Brumbies clash.
They are now well and truly in charge of their own destiny as has always been the case but this time the writing is on the wall, change the culture or go into liquidation.
I know for one, that I will be there on Saturday night giving my all as a Blue Blood supporter, let’s hope the players reciprocate this passion which was well and truly on display by all the fans last night.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.