NSW ready to attack in Super Rugby: Dennis
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With coaching speculation all the talk at NSW headquarters over recent weeks, it was an interesting time for Waratahs Super Rugby forward Dave Dennis to unveil himself as a mentor.
Dennis was quick to rule out a bid for a captain-coach appointment at the Waratahs next year, but not before revealing he has previously coached three players in Saturday night’s derby against the Brumbies at ANZ Stadium.
Although aged just 26, Dennis went back and served as an assistant coach for the Sydney University first grade colts back in 2007 while sidelined with an ACL injury.
The Uni side featured newly-appointed Waratahs No.10 Bernard Foley, NSW prop Paddy Ryan and Brumbies lock Sam Carter.
As forwards coach, Dennis made a tough call to drop Ryan to second grade for the grand final that Uni went on to win that season, but he also had time to cast his critical eye over the backline as well.
Dennis believes the Waratahs could be in for a treat with Foley at five-eighth and, with the season over, he says NSW plan to throw caution to the wind.
“If he sees an opportunity, he’s going to have a crack. He’s a very front-foot player, he attacks the line and carries the ball … I was coaching the forwards but I still had some influence, I’m sure,” says Dennis, with the Waratahs looking to spoil the Brumbies’ push for playoff security.
“We’ve fallen into the trap this year that we’ve had a bit of pressure and we’ve probably played a little bit conservative. That’s probably human nature – you tighten up a bit, but all these guys are good footballers and we play our best rugby when we just go out and play when you don’t have too many restrictions on you.”
© AAP 2013
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July 6th 2012 @ 3:50pm
Matthew Skellett said | July 6th 2012 @ 3:50pm | Report comment
YOU MEAN THAT YOU ARE ACTUALLY ACTUALLY ACTUALLY GOING TO PLAY TO WIN ?
but seriously folks “back to regular programming “
July 7th 2012 @ 10:02am
Blinky Bill of Bellingen said | July 7th 2012 @ 10:02am | Report comment
As a Tahs fan I freely confess that I haven’t really got a clue about what to expect tonight. Will we shine or will we flop?
The new 9, 10 & 12 could fire-up and leave us asking ‘why in the hell didn’t we do this months ago’? Or…it could all go BOOM in our faces. In all likelyhood it will almost certainly be somewhere inbetween the two extremes. I expect it to go better than anything else tried this season but not be top shelf just yet.
Personally I like it and think it’s definitely well worth a try. I also like the return of Lachie & Drew on the wings and Adam back at 15.
Can we beat the Brumbies? I’d like to think so. BUT….it will all come down to the internal fortitude of the players. Homebush & a small mute crowd guarantee this.
Carn the Tahs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!