Turner's double gets Waratahs home

"dont pull their props off for more mobile players - and I am a prop.” matta - well there is the lineout where the big boppas do a lot of the heavy lifting...

SNK was shocking, again. We were screaming for him to be taken off from about the 20 minute mark. Woeful. The Stormers played a negative, niggling game. There was a lot of back line and after ruck pulls and nastiness. Very poor. I thought the Saafies had reduced that in their game, but their locks, flankers and hooker were dirty nigglers. Unfortunately the last few years we tend to play to the level of our opponents rather than overcoming like some teams (i.e. Crusaders) do. That's why the game was an arm wrestle. Plus the ref had a shocker, and the touchies weren't far behind. Missing stuff, wrong calls. He even wrongly signalled the end of the game - we thought he was calling a penalty!!! The refs this year have been woeful. Forget the ELVs, they are the main problem.

Perhaps I was mistaken. As for the clearly defined roles of Props and Hookers well at least with my experience that is a little outdated. I am a Prop aswell. Tighthead preferrably. But I can play Loosehead and Hooker if required. So although I'd like to play one position I can play right across the front row. This was true of every other Prop/Hooker I have ever played with. One good example of this is John Smit. Maybe this has been just my experience. At the same time most of the guys I played with could also pass equally accurate out of both hands, step off both feet and some could even kick with both feet. Just thinking back it's a shame many of those guys didn't go any further than subbies. The talent that doesn't progress in Rugby is baffling.

oops should read "dont pull their props off for more mobile players - and I am a prop."

World Class - sorry mate, you're wrong re front row players. What you need to remember is that the rules clearly and fairly break up props and hookers and doesn't cover the 'front row' a generic position. By law a team has to have one Prop (either side) and one Hooker on the bench. What amazes me is that as soon as un-contested scrums are called coaches do pull their props off for more mobile players - and I am a prop.

SNK is off to Cardiff to frustrate and disappoint their fans. And all I can say is THANK GOD. The Tahs backline is failing their forwards. Maybe the forwards should be allowed to clobber the backs at training for letting their efforts down. Carter was the main culprit on Saturday. Nearly every time he touched the ball it got held up in a ruck. I've said this before but give Ratu Nasiyangavi a run. Inside centre is as good as any. Our kicking in general play was at first good, but quickly degenerated and our goal kicking. Well that was simply s@#thouse. Who is the person that developed this game plan or told them that the kicking game was their go. If I ever found them I'd give a swift kick up the a#$e.

Workingclass rugger I agree with the caveat that in rugby league they are now again utilising lateral movement. I understand a dour defensive game but there were times when the Tah forwards dominated did their job but our our backs did little to put the icing on the cake. You will not have to worry about SNK he is of to Cardiff i think. Beale did look dangerous with the extra space and less organisational responsibility. But unless we convert our forward dominance with points( including goal kicking) we will be vulnerable in the semi finals. Our goal kicking is to say the least inconsistent. The slightly rounder shape of the rugby Gilbert ball actually makes it slightly easier to kick and control than a steeden. Remember I like both games this is just my observation it is not a put down. This seems to be reflected by most elite Eurppean and SA rugby kickers but apparently lacking in goal kicking at the Tahs. the chip by beale was delightful. Just had to wait such along time for something to reward our forwards offensive and defensive effort.

Each team is require to have six forwards capable of playing in the front row. If the Stormers genuinely ran out of players due to injury I'd be least perturbed. But I can't help but feel as if it was done intentionally in a attempt to lessen the strain on his team. Totally opposed to the spirit of the game. If I wanted to see lean ons I'd watch League.

Next Year! - SNK does not compare even to Cliff Lyons' toenail.

Re the uncontested scrums - very suspicious. Rassie Erasmus is a coach renowned for "gamesmanship" - often called other less complimentary things. He was the coach of the cheetahs last year or year before when there were those clear cases of big forwards dropping for fake injuries to slow the game and get some breath back. He has form!

Southern Waratah, Great acknowledgement of a truly great flanker and Captain. Unfortunately it comes at a time we find out the ARU has refused to accord him "marquee status" and assist with a funding package to keep him.( the same geniuses who forgot to get Elsom to sign on an alleged promise to return after they gave HIM marquee status) There's no player more committed to the traditional values of Rugby than P. Waugh and he deserves support. The game. Phew........................It proved I think, that the Waratahs CAN attack in the forewards then throw it wide and fast to score! BUT.............................. ...............Having proved it they went back to that aimless Rugby where you hit it up and see what happens, then, failing to advance, put up a kick no-one seems to know is coming and have a go at regainig possession. If you don't get the ball back well,.....at least the forewards will make THEIR attacking life uncomfortable too. As I predicted Halangahu is not the Messiah, he's just a (another?) naughty boy. Lets bring HIM on at 15 next week and see if HE can also 'super-sub' ! The problem is the tactics. We're still following a game plan that lacks confidence in the tactics they played when the came out. They worked, so why not persist ? Lets have the stats on pointless kicks, please. On the positive side the Stormers are similar in style, great spoilers with attacking potential, so the scoreline is not as unflattering as it first appears. And if a few of those penalties had landed................. The Tahs all had to put in and to a man they successfully defended home turf with tenacity that has to be recognised. As usual Tom Carter did everything that was asked of him, including barging up the centre first phase, but the knockers don't watch him in the replays. This is a great team but it needs a great coach. This is Hickey's first year so I'll wait to see what R. Deans does with our forewards and how the play it next year before I judge him(Hickey). Like the Wallabies we need the technique and confidence to switch from resolute defence to ball in hand attack. The Tahs are much better than the game plan suggests. Finally, congrats to Lachie Turner on a fantastic game and to Kurtley for making a fantastic play (or two) off the bench. We'll outlast the Bulls in similar style next week, I'm sure. Stressful.

Once again..."How good was Phil Waugh"! He's a freak!

WCR Naqueleivuki the Stormers winger seemed bloody lazy and never really got out of a jog. They should have targeted him a lot more.

SNK is very consistent. Consisitently poor. Honestly whenever SNK even gets near the play I cringe. Tahu got his chance at Inside Centre and did nothing. Carter is another problem in the backline, he thinks too one dimensionally too often. Yes the IC job to truckit up on occasion but not every play. He runs into the defence line to high and open aswell. Beale looked more comfortable coming on at fullback, it appeared to give him more time to assess his options and it worked. Straight through the stormers well organised defence. Halangahu gains a pass mark in general play last night but his vision on the field lacked alot. The Stormer no11 was slow and cumbersome. Turner had him in speed and they should have exploited that. The forwards were solid in general play not their most ddestructive night but that has alot to do with the strangliing defence the Stormers play. The scrum just kept showing up the opposition with another strong performance. I'm beginning to wonder what happened to them in the Brumbies game. Palmer still doesn't impress me whilst he held up in the scrum his general lay was very lacking, but I guess he is still learning. The Stormers are a joke. Not having the beef capable to maintain a competitve scrum. I get the feeling thiswas by design to take the pressure their ineffective fowards and backs A penalty should have been awarded every time a scrum was needed to be packed after that.

The forwards were suppossed to be the weak link of the Waratah's this season and you have to give credit where credit is due - well done and well done Mr Foley - what with so many injuries as well this year they really deserve more praise. As for the backs - a masterstroke injecting Beale late into the game - he seemed relaxed and confident to play HIS OWN GAME rather some predeterminded robitic game plan which must stifle his incredible natural ability. DH - I thought he played well getting the ball to IC quickl but it is here I have the problem - CARTER PASS THE BALL SON!!! Why oh why do you always try to bust it up the middle - you are so easy to work out - DARE I SAY IT but drop Carter fto the bench for Tahu and see how he goes at IC - this guy needs gametime and certainly has the skills if given the chance. I realise the combination of DH and Carter is well entrenched through club rugby but the ball just seems to stop dead when it gets to Carter ...................it really is make or break for Tahu soon and the reality is they have not really used this guy properly yet ..OK his defence IS suspect but is definately improving . SNK ? - Is this guy the Cliff Lyons of Rugby ? One week he plays brilliantly yet the next he plays like a lost soul - last night he was dreadful ....consistency boys consistency!

Goodness you blokes are hard to please. Halangahu went OK at 10 last night apart from wayward goalkicking. Beale proved a supersub, precisely the sort of impact player needed in the modern game. Exveryone is expecting too much of these young NSW backs. They are doing OK. Great to see Lachie Turner's excellent penetrative game last night. Horne tried hard but things didn't quite go his way. Burgess was again strong. Gleann SNK makes to many mistakes - watch him miss touch, then drop the ball cold midday way through the 1st half to get the Stormers back in the game - to be of test class quality, which is what you need to win a S14.

More practise perhaps Yikes? The story of Johnny Wilkinson going down to his local oval on Christmas Day to practise goal kicking springs to mind. Turner was certainly the difference on the night, glad to see some poor finishing didn't cost the Waratahs the win. It might have been beneficial for later in the season had they won by more and so increased their for & against points differential.

Halangahu is not the answer. He was below average last night, even without the goalkicking. Again, the best backline passages from the Tahs were arranged by SNK at first receiver. He should start there, with Beale at 15, Hangers on the bench. Carter and Horne as centres because Tahu still has first night nerves and looks like he might never cut it. Next year Beale may have matured enough to handle the extra intensity at 10 (with SNK O/S) - this would allow Turner to play 15, and Tahu to play wing, which may be where he belongs.

Well Matty Burke didn't exactly earn his money this week, did he? Yet he did the other week. Some days Beale and Hangers kick sensationally, the next week abysmally. No consistency at all. They appear to be confidence kickers rather than technically unbreakable. Not sure what's going on.