Can the ‘Tahs win the battle after losing the Waugh?
Roar Rookie By TimBezz, 31 Jan 2012 TimBezz is a Roar Rookie
- Tagged:
- NSW Waratahs, Phil Waugh, Rugby Union, Super Rugby
This is the NSW Waratahs’ first season without their inspirational, some might say dictatorial leader of the past 5 seasons. Waugh racked up 134 caps for the Waratahs, 56 as captain.
It will be interesting to see how the NSW Waratahs fare this coming 2012 rugby season, their first since 2001 without Waugh as a part of the squad.
Perhaps this was the loss they had to have. Perhaps it is a chance for everybody to have a say, not one man leading the team but a team led by many.
In my view, Phil Waugh was an amazing player and contributed greatly to NSW rugby over the years. However, it is hard to ignore the screamingly obvious fact that the Waratahs have had a fog lifted from above their heads and the sun is shining down on them.
This is no more evident than the appointment of a new coach and a new leadership structure which appears to value input from all levels of the playing group.
This is in stark contrast to how the Waratahs have been managed and captained over the past few years.
Throughout Waugh’s reign the Waratahs were an extremely competitive unit, making two appearances in the Championship game in 2005 and 2008. Sadly, on both occasions they were unsuccessful.
There seemed to be an unwavering determination (bloody mindedness, some might say) from Waugh to get one thing and one thing only, a Super Rugby title.
It of course eluded him and this would have been made even more painful given the result the Queensland Reds achieved last year.
Insult may indeed have been added to injury by the fact that their success was guided by the former NSW coach, Ewen McKenzie. This fact would not only be hard for Waugh to fathom but for the Waratahs’ faithful supporters as well.
I myself still feel that the Reds’ success would have been ours if not for the inept Waratahs’ board getting rid of McKenzie too soon.
On a positive note, the playing ranks for 2012 look once again to be strong. Although the loss of key players Kurtley Beale and Luke Burgess will be felt, the return home for former Wallaby captain Rocky Elsom as well as the additions of current Wallaby utility Adam Ashley Cooper and South African Sarel Pretorius will provide much needed starch.
Sitaleki Timani and Chris Alcock will benefit from the game time they each had last year and hopes are also high that the perennially injured pair of Rob Horne and Wycliff Palu will be able to maintain their fitness for the duration of the season.
The return of Rocky is great for the Waratahs. Provided he is fit, he should prove a great replacement for the retiring Waugh. Although not a ‘like for like’ replacement, Rocky’s credentials are well established and need not be proven in this column.
Much has also been written about the Waugh v Elsom standoff but I personally do not know the inside facts. It is possible that Waugh realised that the only way Elsom would return to NSW was if he was gone.
A noble gesture in an effort to obtain that elusive crown for his beloved state? Whatever the reason, Waugh’s retirement has enabled the Tahs to clear the slate and enter into a new era without the burden of ‘what could have been’ or even ‘what should have been’.
So with a new season, a fresh attitude and carrying minimal baggage, hopes are high for a strong showing from the Waratahs in 2012 with the only reason to hold another fan forum being to discuss where to place the Trophy at Waratahs’ HQ.
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- NSW Waratahs, Phil Waugh, Rugby Union, Super Rugby
January 31st 2012 @ 10:17am
Alex said | January 31st 2012 @ 10:17am | Report comment
They never won it with him, so I would suggest they are now a greater chance without him.
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January 31st 2012 @ 10:27am
rl said | January 31st 2012 @ 10:27am | Report comment
That’s a bit harsh – with Waugh on the park at least you were assured of one Tah getting his jersey dirty.
February 1st 2012 @ 4:19pm
TimBezz said | February 1st 2012 @ 4:19pm | Report comment
He certainly would have “died” for the cause but perhaps that and his dominant leadership led to the Tah’s relying too heavily on him, especially when his powers were diminishing?
January 31st 2012 @ 10:46am
Rugbug said | January 31st 2012 @ 10:46am | Report comment
Haha that is Gold
January 31st 2012 @ 12:54pm
TembaVJ said | January 31st 2012 @ 12:54pm | Report comment
HAHA Thanks rl, nothing like putting the boot into the tahs… things wont be normal if the rest of Aussie didnt picking on them or if some tah play didnt say “we going to use the ball a bit more this season”
January 31st 2012 @ 10:23am
Mark said | January 31st 2012 @ 10:23am | Report comment
Here here Alex!!!
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January 31st 2012 @ 10:26am
Will Sinclair said | January 31st 2012 @ 10:26am | Report comment
Injuries permitting – it should be a good year for the Tahs.
They should have, by some distance, the strongest set pieces in the Australian conference, and that will help them win a lot of games.
And, as in previous years, they should be physical at the tackle, and brutal in defence. The key might be how they create points out wide (and the health of Barnes, Horne and Mitchell will be important in this respect).
But I like them to finish top of the Aussie conference, and get a home semi final. From there… who knows…
January 31st 2012 @ 10:49am
Rugbug said | January 31st 2012 @ 10:49am | Report comment
What will help the Tahs win a lot of games is them being in the Australian conference.
Brumbies, Force and Rebels……..
January 31st 2012 @ 11:22am
rl said | January 31st 2012 @ 11:22am | Report comment
If (heaven forbid!) I was a Tah fan, I’d be excited about some young prospects, but deeply concerned about fitness in some key positions – TPN, Big Benn, Elsom, Cliffy, Barnes, Horney, Mitch. I know all teams have their injury niggles, but that’s nearly half the ‘A” team with question marks about health from the get-go. Hmmm. As a Wobblies fan I certainly hope my fears aren’t realised.
By comparison, the Reds main injury concerns are Kevvy’s pinky, Samo’s walking frame, and Quade’s heart-ilage.
January 31st 2012 @ 10:38am
Mike G said | January 31st 2012 @ 10:38am | Report comment
I keep coming back to one thing…When was the last time you saw P Waugh effect a turnover?
In comparison with McCaw and Pocock (not to mention Warburton etc), it was painfully obvious that Waughs ability to impact a game was nowhere near as high as it was back in the early to mid naughties. He may be a great leader and all that, which is clearly a prerequisite for any effective skipper, but surely the MOST crucial element is that he plays the role of his position as the best in the state.
For mine, he hasn’t done that for a number of years.
On a positive note, I am really pumped to see if Alcock can take the next step. He seems to be hard at the breakdown (and does effect turnovers each match), has good pace and seems quite a good link man or ball carrier (on ocassion).
Not getting over excited, but I do think we long suffering tahs fans might just have a shot at the title this year!!
January 31st 2012 @ 11:19am
johnny-boy said | January 31st 2012 @ 11:19am | Report comment
No chance Mike G
but I agree Alcock will be interesting to watch. Even more so will be Beau Robinson setting out to prove Deans wrong.
January 31st 2012 @ 11:38am
Mike G said | January 31st 2012 @ 11:38am | Report comment
hahaha…we’ll see JB, we’ll see!!!
As much as I like Beau as a player, i’m not convinced he can take the next step…Alcock for mine, is the one who could. (on an aside, it must be disheartening for the young # 7′s knowing that they wont get any meaningful game time in the next 8 years if Pocock stays fit.)
January 31st 2012 @ 3:20pm
Short-Blind said | January 31st 2012 @ 3:20pm | Report comment
Pocock is undoubtedly the No 1 seven in OZ, but if he doesn’t develop his linking and passing game ala McCaw and the standout French 7 then he is vulnerable to be overtaken (despite his current golden status). His current strengths are over the ball and Defence and 80 min man, but in attack he is rather one dimensional with the hard straight carry and going to ground more often than not. There are a swathe of up and coming young 7′s in OZ who potentially have all the skills – am looking forward to their development this year. Of course a lotndepends on the overall balance of the back row and that is still unknown for the Wallabies with no settled No 8 (a re-moulded Wykes is my fav) or 6 (Rocky no certainty given injury and recent form)
January 31st 2012 @ 4:07pm
Markus said | January 31st 2012 @ 4:07pm | Report comment
I’d like to see Wykes keep pushing for a spot in the locks.
With Vickerman and Sharpe both gone soon, Chisholm and Timani playing overseas (though Timani will be back) and Horwill having a history of serious injuries, the cupboards could end up looking pretty bare in the near future.
I’m looking to see how Ita Vaea goes at No 8 in his second season. He was very impressive after being thrown in at the last minute last season, and should be even stronger this year with a full pre-season of conditioning and skills work up his sleeve.
February 1st 2012 @ 12:41pm
Crazy Horse said | February 1st 2012 @ 12:41pm | Report comment
Sam Wykes would gave to be the unluckiest player in Super Rigby. He was a standout in every game he played last year, including Man of the Match performances but still didn’t get a Wallaby call up. Unless the selectors are totally incompetent he has to be on the radar for his chance soon.
January 31st 2012 @ 11:41am
Bigbaz said | January 31st 2012 @ 11:41am | Report comment
Cann’t wait for the tahs fans to start booing their own team. Hopefully that will happen against the reds in the 1st round.
January 31st 2012 @ 12:09pm
drop kick said | January 31st 2012 @ 12:09pm | Report comment
Can’t wait for the Reds to perform like they did against the Tahs in round 2 last year.
January 31st 2012 @ 12:56pm
Will Sinclair said | January 31st 2012 @ 12:56pm | Report comment
The Tahs own the Reds, and have for years.
Especially in Sydney.
January 31st 2012 @ 4:27pm
formeropenside said | January 31st 2012 @ 4:27pm | Report comment
for years meaning since 2005, and forgetting the period 1980 – 2004.
February 1st 2012 @ 12:04pm
Lindommer said | February 1st 2012 @ 12:04pm | Report comment
Pre 1980 too much for your old brain, fos?
January 31st 2012 @ 12:16pm
Atawhai Drive said | January 31st 2012 @ 12:16pm | Report comment
Waugh hung on a bit long and the Waratahs will lose little by his absence.
A question: is there any member of the Waratahs’ squad over the age of 25 who is not actually a member of the “leadership group”? Captaincy by committee, I believe it’s called.
January 31st 2012 @ 12:53pm
p.Tah said | January 31st 2012 @ 12:53pm | Report comment
Waugh was a great captain who lead from the front however one shortcoming of his ‘dominate presence’ was that few of the ‘experienced players’ took on a ‘senior player role’, everyone turned to Waugh to lead the way. When he was off the field, take the Cheetahs game for example, the leadership wasn’t there. I think it’s a clever move by Foley to have a larger senior group. It forces these players to recognise their place in the team and will propel them to step up and fill the void if/when the captain is off the field.
Rocky is not a big believer in decisions by committee so he will be the top dog, but having an established senior group will give the team the structure it needs.
January 31st 2012 @ 2:40pm
Atawhai Drive said | January 31st 2012 @ 2:40pm | Report comment
Every rugby team _ well, every successful rugby team _ since the dawn of time has had a captain supported by a group of senior lieutenants. He’s known who they are, they’ve known who they are and the other players have known too. The question is whether their status needs to be formally recognised.
But pTah, you’re quite right. The leadership wasn’t there against the Cheetahs last year when Waugh left the field. Which is not just an indictment of the remaining players, but of the structures within the Waratahs.
If a huge leadership group works for them this year, well and good. Supporting the Waratahs is a bit like supporting Sydney FC _ the triumph of hope over experience. But we keep hoping for better things.
January 31st 2012 @ 2:27pm
Mals said | January 31st 2012 @ 2:27pm | Report comment
One glaring omission from the leadership group is TPN.
January 31st 2012 @ 4:15pm
Comrade Bear said | January 31st 2012 @ 4:15pm | Report comment
I think one reason the Tahs have such a huge leadership group is due their huge injury toll:
- Rocky (already out until round 4)
- Barnes (only good on an even number of head knocks – although kicks better on odd numbers)
- Vickerman (Already out)
- Big Benn (should be back for round 1)
- Cliffy (Flip a coin)
- Mitchell (Ankle again – poor bloke)
- Horne (tends to pick up injuries on days ending with a ‘y’)
- TPN (bit dirty that ‘a back’ is leading the Head-Knock count)
If pushed – my pick would have been TPN – he seems to work best when both eyes are looking in different directions, but I’d probably rather name the Captain just after the team has finished their warm up for Game 1
January 31st 2012 @ 6:58pm
BennO said | January 31st 2012 @ 6:58pm | Report comment
Classic.
January 31st 2012 @ 1:10pm
stillmissit said | January 31st 2012 @ 1:10pm | Report comment
Waugh was a great player in what he achieved with a body that was too small and too slow for modern rugby. He is an inspiration to all those who aspire to greatness.
To suggest that NSW would have won a super title with McKenzie in charge could only be stated from inside a mental asylum. Anyone who knows anything about rugby and there are plenty on this site would tell you the pedestrian, retain the ball at all costs, never take a chance statistical rugby that Ewan had them playing, was straight out of the Eddie the eye cookbook.
Ewan is a better coach for his time in France where there was plenty of what he wanted (forwards) but not much backline flare – so I think he had to develop it, for the first time and that is the difference in him. I think he now appreciates the finer points of the game as opposed to statistical strategy.
February 1st 2012 @ 4:29pm
TimBezz said | February 1st 2012 @ 4:29pm | Report comment
I don’t know about the mental asylum part! I don’t think I was too far from the mark given Link got us to two finals? Waugh certainly was an inspirational leader but I think the rest of the team became a little detached from the responsibility side of things due to his leadership style.
I think Foley has got it right by having levels of leadership where everyone is accountable for the teams performance.
We wait with baited breath to see how it works!
January 31st 2012 @ 1:11pm
Red Kev said | January 31st 2012 @ 1:11pm | Report comment
The Waratahs will start well. They are too strong on paper not to. For years now however they have crumbled somewhere in the season, be it from injuries or a lack of mental toughness. Champion teams overcome challenges instead of succumbing to them.
Although as a Queenslander I enjoy seeing the Waratahs fail, I am wary that Foley (who is a far cannier coach than Hickey) might well have the team to do it this year. I predict they will do for the Reds in round one and the Australian conference will be decided at Suncorp in the final round of the regular season.
January 31st 2012 @ 3:34pm
dkiwi said | January 31st 2012 @ 3:34pm | Report comment
Phil Waugh had some hearty battles against the All Blacks and was a demon in the tight, and a great defensive unit in his heyday. However he was too small to dominate in the end and resorted to truck and trailing tactics at the Tahs for far too long. No wonder Beale left.
February 1st 2012 @ 10:03am
Chris said | February 1st 2012 @ 10:03am | Report comment
Beale left for the cash, plain and simple. I don’t blame him or hold it against him but it is the reason.
January 31st 2012 @ 4:20pm
Comrade Bear said | January 31st 2012 @ 4:20pm | Report comment
I tend to Agree with you Red Kev – way too strong on paper. I definitely think this is the best team the Tahs have had for a few years – probably since Vickerman last played for them actually. Best coach for a while also.
I also agree that the Tahs will do the Reds in Game 1 – I just hope the Reds have a better showing than they did for the same game last year – although by all reports Link appears to have leant from that lesson. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see – can’t wait!!!!
And apart from game 1 – I am really looking forward to seeing how the Tahs go this season!