Weather woeful, Waratahs worse
Columnist By David Lord, 3 Jun 2012 David Lord is a Roar Expert
- Tagged:
- Berrick Barnes, rugby union. super rugby, Waratahs
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The Hurricanes blew away the Waratahs last night AAP Image/Paul Miller
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Only Berrick Barnes’ trusty boot gave the Waratahs any respectability in the 33-12 loss to the Hurricanes at a wet and miserable Allianz Stadium last night.
The men-in-blue should have been wearing black in mourning over the death of the Waratahs, once the pride and joy of Australian rugby.
Hardly the way to “celebrate” the 100th Super game at the venue by:
* Losing 10 games in a season for the first time.
* Losing six in a row for the first time.
* Losing three in a row at Allianz Stadium for the first time.
* Losing to the Hurricanes for the first time at Allianz.
* And losing to the Hurricanes for the first time since 2006.
Once the fortress of NSW rugby, where the Waratahs were virtually unbeatable, the walls are crumbling down.
Yet there are 11 Waratahs in the Wallaby train-on squad of 39. Go figure.
The Waratah talent is undeniable. But they are individuals, they have lost the ability to combine their talents in a team effort.
That’s the reason why the Waratahs have lost seven of their 10 games by less than seven points – three of them by a point.
Proving they are competitive, but can’t close.
Only David Dennis and Kane Douglas played their hearts out up front last night, with Tatafu Polota-Nau chiming in occasionally.
Out the back Bernard Foley, Drew Mitchell, and Tom Kingston made some eye-catching runs, with Barnes trying desperately hard to get the backline moving.
But nothing was clicking.
The overall picture was one of lost chances with the Waratahs creating six tries and scoring none, while the Hurricanes converted all four try scoring opportunities, the last on the full-time hooter for the vital bonus point that didn’t do the Queensland Reds any favours.
The Waratahs showed the way with knock-ons, over-running the ball carrier, and turnovers – elementary rugby – all at critical times. Patience was replaced by panic costing those six try-scoring opportunities.
It may seem an odd thing to say with a scoreline of 33-12, but the Waratahs should have won this game. At the 64-minute mark the Waratahs were right in it with the Hurricanes leading 16-12. All the men-in-blue had to do was convert their point-scoring opportunities.
But the opposite happened with the Hurricanes piling on three tries and 17 points in the last 16 minutes, mostly against the run of play. Game, set, and match.
There’s the difference between the two sides. The Hurricanes, with only three All Blacks, have scored the highest number of points in the tournament with 438, plus 56 over points against. The Waratahs, with seven Wallabies, have scored just 316, minus 40 below points against.
Daylight.
Beleaguered Waratahs coach Michael Foley rued the missed chances, adding – “We are the masters of our own destiny”.
How true. But substituting pupils for masters would be more appropriate.
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- Berrick Barnes, rugby union. super rugby, Waratahs
June 3rd 2012 @ 5:43am
Johnno said | June 3rd 2012 @ 5:43am | Report comment
The Tahs are now in reaility just a 1 man team. Wycliff Palu: Only world class player, and player last night who could hold head high.
And played with nay elite standard ability, and also showed the right aittude, Gutsy and not soft, and aggressive.
-The rest well they have to over the next 3 weeks have some serious soul searching, and questions
-What do i want from life type questions. Am i good enough to be a pro rugby player at super rugby level. Should really think if they want a future in rugby union at super rugby level, and if they have the desire or are good enough.
-I think much of this waratah squad if they don’t retire at end of this season, will be spending the rest of there playing career at
shute shield level.
-Timani senior down when he was in brumbyland struggled to make even canberra 1st grade club rugby almost played some 2nd grade club rugby in Canberra. was about that level last night.
How Deans rates Timani senior ahead of Scott Fardi from the Brumbies I don’t know.
And Ben Robinson did not even look like a shute shield 1st grade prop last night more like 3rd grade honestly. I have been to some shut shield matches this year, and the props looked much fitter and bigger and stronger. He is looking like a real amateur rugby player, who he was ever rated the world no 1 prop in rugby well that is a mystery i will never know.
-So only Wyfliff Palu. Only Tah for me, makes the Wallabies test squad. As for the rest well say g’day to your 1st grade or 2nd grade coach at shute shield for the next 3 weeks or maybe for the rest of your career.
-And full credit to the wellington hurricanes a talented side, full of energy, and adaptable rugby, and good tough young and senior men good balanced team like the chiefs.
-But some facts on the Wellington Hurricanes:
They were made to look a better rugby union team than what they were last night:
-The cheetahs beat them at wellington this year, the Brumbies under jake white showed great heart to wear the Hurricanes down at similar wet windy wellington, as last night in sydney.
-So the brumbies were able to beat the hurricanes in wellington, in the wet and cold and wind of wellington.
-The Otago Highlanders beat the Hurricanes at wellington this year
And the cheetahs beat the hurricanes in wellington, as did the chiefs beat the hurricanes in waikato this year too from memory.
-And crusaders too i think beat the hurricanes this year as well in christchurch
-But the Hurricanes are a good team no question.
-But the waratahs who resembled a shute shield standard side last night, did make the Hurricanes look a better team than what they really are.
-The crusaders are a better team than the canes, as are the stormers,bulls, and chiefs, and I would say Brumbies under jake white, if results vs the Hurricanes this year is the guide.
June 3rd 2012 @ 10:17am
Glenn Condell said | June 3rd 2012 @ 10:17am | Report comment
Palu tried hard but his hands let him down, notwithstanding the dreadful conditions. He certainly wasn’t alone; the Canes dropped a few but the Tahs were much worse, with a high proportion of their drops at crucial times on attack.
I don’t thnk Timani was all that bad but I agree about Fardy who is among the top half dozen Aust players all year for mine.
The real point of difference was at 9 and, where Perenara was a constant threat and Barrett steady as she goes, while Pretorius was poor and Barnes like a rabbit in the spotlights. Perenara’s pass needs work but it was better than Pretorius.
As always the Tahs look like expensive athletes who have just been introduced to rugby. They never ‘gel’, they never just click into atacking gear like the Hurricanes did with te little ball they had last night. Simple transfer of the pill is a laboured business with the Tahs whereas it just flows as naturally as breathing with the NZ sides generally. The Tahs look as if they train to bash and barge, or kick.
I recall watching Kurtley Beale at the end of his time at the Tahs throw his hands in the air in frustration as the forwards butchered yet another late opportunity to attack. It has been the same for years now, and the lack of a world class 10 is perhaps the single most telling factor. Yet they had Beale, a local product and a genius schoolboy 10, and let him go. Look at how he has been running the Rebels backs. All he needed was those few years to mature and a licence to attack and the tide might well have turned. We’ll never know now.
June 3rd 2012 @ 10:56am
Uncle Argyle said | June 3rd 2012 @ 10:56am | Report comment
I thought McKibbon looked better when he came on. Even passed so a few blokes Ulungia could run into the odd gap.
June 3rd 2012 @ 11:44am
PeterK said | June 3rd 2012 @ 11:44am | Report comment
Palu made ONE error, dropped 1 ball, its a bit much to say his hands let him down.
Palu had the HIGHEST workrate of all forwards.
TPN’s workrate matched Dennis but no one will give him credit for that. TPN looks like he finally has some fitness back.
June 3rd 2012 @ 10:30am
Cody said | June 3rd 2012 @ 10:30am | Report comment
As each and every week goes by Benn Robinson is getting further exposed as soft with a pathetic work rate who rarely, if at all gets in the thick of things.In his post match interview you could barely tell that he had played a game of footy. Wales must be licking their lips if he is the “Worlds Best” rated, those blokes are as tough as nails.
June 3rd 2012 @ 11:11am
Ben Farell said | June 3rd 2012 @ 11:11am | Report comment
How could an Australian be a ‘worlds best prop’, that is just silly.
June 3rd 2012 @ 11:32am
nickoldschool said | June 3rd 2012 @ 11:32am | Report comment
I wonder how this (‘Robinson n1 prop in the world”) started or who started it!? It can only be a wind up surely.
Have to admit I felt sorry for the guys last night. They just looked lost on the pitch and have lost the little confidence they might have had a while ago. Robinson is probably an ok lad and a ‘decent prop’ but he is not a leader, def not the kind of guy who inspires others to try harder or do more. And its imo precisely what the Tahs need. A couple of leaders and a bunch of players who are desperate for a professional SR contract, thats what they need.
June 3rd 2012 @ 11:13am
stillmissit said | June 3rd 2012 @ 11:13am | Report comment
Cody: Also a very average effort as captain. Seemed to be contemplating his next move rather than supporting and winding up a pathetic outfit. Leading from the front is too much to ask.
June 3rd 2012 @ 11:17am
stillmissit said | June 3rd 2012 @ 11:17am | Report comment
Johnno: I agree with you regarding Palu he had a great game in the wet. Made many metres and tackled hard and supported well. If all 8 had done the same the game might have been better. I also thought Dave Dennis went well in a hang dog outfit.
The backs looked as if they had never seen a ball before as the tahs tried to run it around, throwing in front, behind or to the man so that he had to stand and wait for it. You would have seen better yesterday in Sydney’s Shute Shield.
June 3rd 2012 @ 6:52am
peterlala said | June 3rd 2012 @ 6:52am | Report comment
Despite having good players who played well for most of the match, the Waratahs lost 32-12.
The Hurricanes won by converting limited chances into points. The young players won through their own endeavours.
The experienced Waratahs made mistake after crucial mistake, frittering away their match dominance.
I think responsibility lies with the coaches. However, only a brilliant coach could get such a strong side to forget their abilities and play so ineptly.
They train fulltime to play like that…so I suppose it is possible.
June 3rd 2012 @ 7:20am
Uncle Argyle said | June 3rd 2012 @ 7:20am | Report comment
David,
you are an astute rugby man but in fairness I think Cliffy Palu deserves a mention. I thought he was very good in an otherwise very poor Waratah side. Yes Dennis, Douglas and TPN has moments, but they were just moments. For me there were really only two Waratah’s who can walk away from that performance with credability and that being Palu and Bernard Foley.
Both sides had much to play for; the Canes a shot at the finals and Tah’s a shot at credability after they had shot their mouths off about being a strong unit etc. I count three All Blacks in the Canes that being Eaton, Vito and Smith. I count eight Wallabies being Robinson, TPN, Kepu, Timani, Palu, Barnes, AAC, Horne and Mitchell + Wallaby tourist Dennis and yet the Tah’s are trounced at home. Its a disgrace. Its borderline deulusional when Benn Robinson in his post most speach states ‘We have a good attack but can’t let in 33 points and expect to win.” News Flash Fat Cat – your attack is not good, its not even average. Its close to non-existent.
Jeremy Tilse turned 26 last night and he is closing in on late 20′s where props come of age. If he is smart he would look elswhere quick otherwise he might just be remebered as a Tah bench player where I for one reckon he has potential Wallaby about him.Apart from that well done Canes you deserved your win.
June 3rd 2012 @ 7:43am
mikeylives said | June 3rd 2012 @ 7:43am | Report comment
I guess you could destcribe the fact that almost every time Dennis touched the ball he made good yards and worked hard all night as “moments”. No – Dennis was very good.
June 3rd 2012 @ 7:57am
Uncle Argyle said | June 3rd 2012 @ 7:57am | Report comment
What about the times he knocked on? So his moments were good but in the context of an 80 minute performance his runs, which were good were simply moments. Dont get me wrong, Dennis should be in the Wallaby squad based upon his seasons performance but last night was not one of his best IMO.
June 3rd 2012 @ 8:23am
mikeylives said | June 3rd 2012 @ 8:23am | Report comment
I saw 1 knock-on and it was a pushed pass that was called back for an offside penalty. Palu and him made most of the teams running metres. They can both offload and pass. Palu is excellent at running through traffic and Dennis is excellent at running tight angles and hitting gaps.
I thought Douglas looked a bit lost in the rough stuff. Dennis was in everything though.
June 3rd 2012 @ 8:28am
Uncle Argyle said | June 3rd 2012 @ 8:28am | Report comment
I thought more. Did you rate Dennis’ game above Palu’s?
June 3rd 2012 @ 8:37am
mikeylives said | June 3rd 2012 @ 8:37am | Report comment
No. Palu showed incredible strength and skill last night. I think he shaded Vito (who was the standout Canes forward).
The Tahs pack were all over them for 60. A lot of people have called them gutless and I think that’s very harsh.
Their spirit was definitely broken after the Canes 2nd try though and no fan wants to see that.
Perhaps a leadership vaccuum after the Waugh era. Perhaps not fit enough to play high intensity rugby for 80 mins.
Whatever it is, they needed to convert some of their many chances earlier in the match to have a chance. It was pull-your-hair-out stuff.
June 3rd 2012 @ 9:24am
David Lord said | June 3rd 2012 @ 9:24am | Report comment
Uncle, that’s a pretty fair call about Cliffy Palu. My rationale is he played well last night, but Dennis and Douglas have been doing that week after week, especially Dennis. Palu has been hot and cold, again suffering injuries, and he’s rarely an 80-minute player. But you are right, I should have mentioned him.
June 3rd 2012 @ 11:10am
Uncle Argyle said | June 3rd 2012 @ 11:10am | Report comment
Mate I thought he a Bernard Foley with the best thing about last night. Agreed Dennis and Douglas have been consistently good but out of those two Dennis is the only one really pushing for test selection against the Welsh, Australia’s 1 st XV. I think Cliff showed enough to give him the 8 jumper v Wales.Dire times for the Tah’s though.
June 3rd 2012 @ 12:03pm
PeterK said | June 3rd 2012 @ 12:03pm | Report comment
Sure Palu has suffered injuries, probably because he plays so hard every game.
The fact is Palu has the highest workrate out of Dennis, Mowen, Higginbotham and McCalman.
They compared their workrates on green and gold (on a average per minute played NOT game), looking at tackles, runs, rucks and lineout takes.
Palu is easily the highest.
It is such a myth that he is lazy etc.
June 3rd 2012 @ 7:26am
Rabbitz said | June 3rd 2012 @ 7:26am | Report comment
Unforgivable, inept and pea-hearted.
Once it got tough, their heads went down and they gave up.
They can’t even be classified as try hards… They simply give up.
This is not a coaching issue. The coach can not give them their personal commitment, that comes from within. The senior players need to wake up to themselves.
The NSWRU or Waratah;s Pty Ltd or whatever they are called need to tear up all the senior players contracts and put them on no win no pay contracts. Without the safety net of getting generous pay regardless of performance, it might just ‘inspire’ them to try for 80 minutes.
I would advise any young player to get out of the Waratah’s before your senior team mates further erode your abilities and teach you how easy it is to just give up.
June 3rd 2012 @ 8:36am
Who Needs Melon said | June 3rd 2012 @ 8:36am | Report comment
Only once it got tough?
Barnes first aimless down-the-middle-of-the-field kick was after 30 seconds. After that, and still within the first 5 minutes he ruined one good attacking raid inside the Canes half with a stupid (and brilliantly intercepted) kick and on another occasion “shaped to kick” but then ran it. Problem was I dont think the “shaping” was a dummy – it’s just that that was what his first thought always is. When he does decide to run now it’s clearly an afterthought and he’s clearly out of practice at it.
That’s the backs out of the game. Now to the forwards…
Again inside the first 5 minutes one of the Tahs had a run ( I can’t remember who it was ), got tackled and the ONLY guy anywhere near him was Pretorius. Now it wasn’t that this player had broken the line and dashed 30 metres away from support. And it wasnt that the forwards were 1 or 2 seconds away. There were no forwards remotely interested in support or attacking the breakdown. Pretorius, tiny little man that he is, ended up trying to bridge and wait for support… but nobody bothered! We’re they tired after 5 minutes? Had the “going got tough”? No – none of that. The forwards – ALL of them – seem to see their job as to form useless little pods or go solo and truck it up. It’s pathetic and a HUGE contrast to the way Hooper plays (for example).
I hardly saw any of the game after those first 5 minutes. After that I remembered why I swore not to watch any more Tahs matches until they had had a total clean out.
And for those that claim it’s all the players and not the coach, I say bollocks. If there is an attitude problem in the team then the coach has to take some responsibility for that. The coach doesnt just train and devise tactics – they’re also there to instill a culture, an attitude and select the players to do this. I fail to believe that among the stock of players available to the Waratahs from the Sydney region that they couldn’t find 15-22 blokes with lesser names but better attitudes and bigger hearts.
[end rant]
June 3rd 2012 @ 8:50am
peterlala said | June 3rd 2012 @ 8:50am | Report comment
Melon, the commentators said the curtain-raiser was between a subbies rep side and a country rep side. They said they enjoyed that game, which suggests your comments about attitude, tactics and 15-22 blokes with heart is true.
June 3rd 2012 @ 9:32am
David Lord said | June 3rd 2012 @ 9:32am | Report comment
Melon, that wasn’t a rant, you have nailed most of the Waratahs problems. The biggest one is culture, or the lack of it. NSW Waratahs, Origin, Sydney FC, and cricket, aren’t in the same culture ball-park as Queensland, nor Victoria. Both those states believe they are invincible in any sport, NSW just turn up to play. On a good day they win, but most of the time they are beaten before they leave the shed. The only sporting side in NSW remotely close in culture are the Sydney Swans.
June 3rd 2012 @ 9:43am
Jack Petro said | June 3rd 2012 @ 9:43am | Report comment
Yes David, but the Sydney Swans are in reality the South Melbourne Swans, so they’ve still got that chip on the shoulder regarding relocate or die – they want to stick it to the AFL/VFL – and prove them worng every time they take the field.
June 3rd 2012 @ 10:02am
David Lord said | June 3rd 2012 @ 10:02am | Report comment
That’s a valid reason Jack, it’s sure working for the Swans. Maybe the Waratahs, Origin, Sydney FC, and the cricket in NSW can find a suitable chip on the shoulder equivalent?
June 3rd 2012 @ 11:02am
Justin said | June 3rd 2012 @ 11:02am | Report comment
hard to find the chip david when you can’t see past the silver spoon in the mouth
June 3rd 2012 @ 11:45am
lorry said | June 3rd 2012 @ 11:45am | Report comment
I think it’s hard for the players to show passion for a state they weren’t born in… it will change but it’s a relatively new phenomenon in rugby
As for nsw blues, I think perhaps the origin concept is getting a little old and in need of a revamp?
Look how rugby has developed super rugby and tri-nations over the years …
June 3rd 2012 @ 9:56am
Kuruki said | June 3rd 2012 @ 9:56am | Report comment
I think it is a mix of senior players and also the coaching staff. A good team culture is vital to success. When you hear players talk about their experience at the Crusaders, they always talk about the difference in culture and the environment down there. if you look at the Canes, Chiefs, Brumbies they are perfect examples of teams that went stale. Foster had run out of idea’s and ways to inspire his men. The Hurricanes had a bunch of senior players who were creating a bad culture with poor attitudes to training. Brumbies another example of a team with both those issues.
Hammet made some huge calls to get rid of the players he felt were disrupting the team and influencing a bad culture. Hore Nonu were two characters known for being far too relaxed about things. Piri Weepu Gear and Cruden decided they would follow their mates and leave the club. With these distractions gone from the side Hammet could introduce a new culture and ethics, it is evident how successful that has been by the performances this year.
Rennie and co introduced a new culture to the Chiefs. The team were challenged to become the legs of the warrior in their emblem, they had the role of giving that warrior life. Creating these cultures and giving the players something more to play for then just a paycheck is what makes a winning team and a losing team. Guys like Eaton Savea Latimer Taumalolo Clarke have turned their careers around within these new environments and under new leadership from their coaches. They are playing the best rugby of their careers.
The Waratahs need a new coach and a new leader. They need someone who can unlock their desire to play passionate rugby, When you can create that desire in the players, i think you will find a bit more of the natural instincts for the game will return and they will be more inclined to have a go rather then have a kick.
June 3rd 2012 @ 3:13pm
Rugby Diehard said | June 3rd 2012 @ 3:13pm | Report comment
WNM – totally agree. I have never been a Barnes-basher but last night he was just awful. The number of times he kicks downfield in the middle of the field is simply embarassing and shows a complete unjustified distrust in the ability of his outside men, with AAC, Foley, Horne, Mitchell (and the other winger – sorry no time to look up name) outside this probably shows a mistrust in his own ability to out these blokes into holes. Foley says they are only being outplayed in moments, the thing that disturbs me is that sport is about these moments – get yourself into a position to score and take advantage of it. If I were Foley, I would simply ban kicks unless within your own 22!!!! Because it seems the players have just lost the ability to use correct judgement….
June 3rd 2012 @ 10:38am
FRugby said | June 3rd 2012 @ 10:38am | Report comment
Totally agree Rabs, it’s a glaring disgrace that the majority of the ARU Top Up contract payments pool is being paid to the Waratahs. Even Elsom, Vickerman and co. are getting hefty top ups and don’t even play! If the ARU were to make public the amounts being paid as top ups to these imposters and the rest of the Waratahs players there would be a player strike im sure. JON and Deans are the Candy men.
June 3rd 2012 @ 8:26pm
Stanley grella said | June 3rd 2012 @ 8:26pm | Report comment
I think ur getting a bit carried away, most of the ARU top up is paid only when they play, there only getting a tiny amount if anything.
June 3rd 2012 @ 10:05pm
FRugby said | June 3rd 2012 @ 10:05pm | Report comment
Wrong, any player who plays a test gets a fixed equal amount per test. Elsom and co. did not come bak from o.s on incentive deals, they were and continue to be paid fixed large amounts payable to the chosen 28 odd players at present. Of those 28 players Waratahs feature prominantly and are justified by the PTB to keep them in the game here in OZ. JON and Deans remain the candy men.
June 3rd 2012 @ 7:33am
formeropenside said | June 3rd 2012 @ 7:33am | Report comment
The way that game went, the Tahs will need to roll over to the Reds for a 4-try loss come the final round, for the good of Australian rugby.
June 3rd 2012 @ 9:15am
Brady-Aj said | June 3rd 2012 @ 9:15am | Report comment
Wow no-wonder there’s a problem with Rugby in NSW if people have comments like this, do you think a NZ or SA side would do that. I think that comments worse than the game last night!
June 3rd 2012 @ 9:26am
p.Tah said | June 3rd 2012 @ 9:26am | Report comment
I can’t recall who the teams were but SA did it a few years ago by picking a B side. If the B side lost the two SA teams had home semi finals.
June 3rd 2012 @ 10:00am
El Gamba said | June 3rd 2012 @ 10:00am | Report comment
If the tahs play like they did last night against the reds they won’t need to roll over. Will be a romp.
They were dreadful.
The Force are now in striking distance of 3rd in the Australian conference, wow!
June 3rd 2012 @ 10:03am
Harry said | June 3rd 2012 @ 10:03am | Report comment
You can guarantee they won’t do that; it will be reduced to the usual slogfest that happens between all Aus sides.
Tahs – 1 from 8 against NZ and SA sides in 2012. An absolutely pathetic performance.
June 3rd 2012 @ 7:44am
Red Kev said | June 3rd 2012 @ 7:44am | Report comment
Palu played his best match in two years last night. Dennis, Foley and Douglas were also good, Dennis especially. However the Waratahs front row was pathetic everywhere except scrum time, and here I single out Kepu as the laziest of a very lazy front three. Timani was useless as usual, Deans obsession with him is clearly the same as KPM’s (i.e. big islander, must pick). Barnes, Horne and AAC will retain their spots based on injuries and reputation alone; Lealiifano, Tapuai, O’Connor and Beale all fit should see the Waratahs trio dumped from the national setup.
June 3rd 2012 @ 11:54am
PeterK said | June 3rd 2012 @ 11:54am | Report comment
agree with all this except for TPN.
TPN also had his highest work rate this season.
His work rate was not as high as Palus who had the highest, (NOTE PALU AVERAGE WORK RATE IS HIGHER THAN DENNIS).
TPN v Dennis
No of runs 9 – 11
Metres 25 – 51 (TPN ran it in tight)
Tackle busts 4 – 3
Rucks 6 – 7
Line breaks 2 – 1
Tackle stats are not available yet.
June 3rd 2012 @ 7:59am
Bellringer said | June 3rd 2012 @ 7:59am | Report comment
It’s been said before on this forum but the ARU have to get their heads out of the sand an allow foreign players. Look at the chiefs, a side for so long that has struggled and been inconsistent, this year they are on top of the table playing great footy and guess what they have 4 foreigners.
I have no interest in going and watching a glorified academy side run around. Fans, sponsors, broadcasters want the best. Do you think when people go to watch man united, la lakers, the Yankees they care where the players come from. Does the kid in Manchester putting the poster of the title winning man city on his wall look at it and think, I won’t support them any more because they are not all English.
One of the biggest advantages that rugby has over league and afl is it’s wide playing pool and yet we don’t take advantage of it. Look at who the nrl use as one of their biggest ambassadors and who gets almost the most media coverage. It’s benji marshall and he’s a kiwi living and playing in Sydney.
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June 3rd 2012 @ 11:01am
ohtani's jacket said | June 3rd 2012 @ 11:01am | Report comment
Pretorious is more of a foreigner than the four Chiefs players you mentioned. Taumalolo moved to NZ when he was 20, but he’s been plying his trade there for more than a decade now.
June 3rd 2012 @ 8:07am
TembaVJ said | June 3rd 2012 @ 8:07am | Report comment
The Brumbies have shown the way, clear out the lard… fire everyone to the top, get a tough nut international coach and start a rebuild.
Barns is a quality player but if I see him kick the ball one more time as a coach I will hang him.
Its ironic how hooper after his first good game at brumbie land sign to join the blahs and now the brumbies are leaders with future prospects. Hooper can start booking hair appointments at a reputable bondi hairdresser and discuss the games while getting a perm.
June 3rd 2012 @ 8:12am
Uncle Argyle said | June 3rd 2012 @ 8:12am | Report comment
Mmmmm……Michael Hooper with a perm. Isn’t that Nick Cummins?
June 3rd 2012 @ 8:38am
sittingbison said | June 3rd 2012 @ 8:38am | Report comment
Hey steady on, it’s not fair to mention exciting players with prospects who perform on a thread about Tahrds
June 3rd 2012 @ 10:03am
Bakkies said | June 3rd 2012 @ 10:03am | Report comment
Well yes considering he was stupid enough to sign a contract with them
June 3rd 2012 @ 9:42am
Sam Taulelei said | June 3rd 2012 @ 9:42am | Report comment
“The Brumbies have shown the way, clear out the lard”
Not just the Brumbies Temba, the Hurricanes have also shown the Tahs the way, not only with their restructuring of the side but also with their positive approach with the ball in hand.
A confident side with that much possession and territory advantage would have made the Hurricanes pay, the Canes defence was very good but against that weight of possession disadvantage it was errors at critical times that prevented the Tahs from scoring tries.
The Canes were patient and composed last night, the sign of a well organised and confident side. Even when under pressure at scrum time and in defence, they trusted each other.
June 3rd 2012 @ 10:31am
Bakkies said | June 3rd 2012 @ 10:31am | Report comment
The Canes have always been positive with ball in hand. Key players like Jason Eaton, Conrad Smith, Victor Vito, Corey Jane are still there
June 3rd 2012 @ 4:27pm
TembaVJ said | June 3rd 2012 @ 4:27pm | Report comment
Sam you are right it seems the Canes problem have all ended up with the blues, do you think it might be the players that left?
I must say I did not give your beloved canes a chance but here we are.
Who would have said Chiefs and Brumbies leading, with the big teams fighting for scraps?
I think the Stormers will win, their defence is simply too good. This is not good for rugby but its nice to see you don’t need the beg cash players to win.
This especial in the brumbies case is a wonder, they have no one… when CL got injured and people talked of Larkham returning, I though “this must be the end” but they keep winning I just wish they would play with more flair. I dont blame them though 2 10′s injured out of a no name squad and still winning.
June 3rd 2012 @ 10:24am
Glenn Condell said | June 3rd 2012 @ 10:24am | Report comment
‘get a tough nut international coach and start a rebuild’
Nick Mallett? Joe Schmidt? Warren Gatland?
June 3rd 2012 @ 8:26am
Ash said | June 3rd 2012 @ 8:26am | Report comment
The Tahs are lacking everything right now. I’m sorry but Foley has to go. They need the cleaners to go through the organisation like what happened in Canberra with Jake White. Who is there though?
The problem with Australian super rugby isn’t player depth it’s adequate coaches.
June 3rd 2012 @ 8:47am
p.Tah said | June 3rd 2012 @ 8:47am | Report comment
Not saying that change isn’t required, but a clean slate doesn’t always bring a good new start. The Tahs need to look at the Parramatta Eels for what not to do. Fan based support had the CEO and board members sacked because of years of mediocrity and unfulfilled potential. New coach brought in. The 6th coach in about 10 years if I recall correctly. Deadwood players cleaned out and some new young blood brought in (their Eels recruitment however was pathetic). Eels supporters wanted change, anything could be better than what they had, but they had no plan once the coup was complete and the back room politics still hampered the organization after the change.
If there is a change it has to be planned to the final degree, the sole goal cannot be to change for the sake of change and hoping it gets better.
If the Tahs go done this path, please view the Eels case study of what not to do. Believe it or not there is still room to go backwards.
June 3rd 2012 @ 8:41am
hog said | June 3rd 2012 @ 8:41am | Report comment
It does seem ironIc that the two teams with the biggest playing pool and coming from the biggest cities of each country are struggling the Blues and Waratahs.
June 3rd 2012 @ 8:56am
sittingbison said | June 3rd 2012 @ 8:56am | Report comment
And lions
June 3rd 2012 @ 11:13am
Ash said | June 3rd 2012 @ 11:13am | Report comment
Exactly. So all the people trumpeting the depth issues all the time are wrong. It’s down to coaching, culture and playing as a team.