After two weeks of strong debate and more than 140 comments, I have continued the process of looking at the 2009 Waratahs under the headings of Current Situation and Solutions.
Current Situation
The Waratahs continued where they left off last week.
1. Again the forwards held their own in the set pieces, winning 7 of 8 scrum feeds, 13 of 15 lineouts and stealing 4 of the Stormers’ lineouts. The Waratahs won 49% of the possession. For a young, unheralded pack, this is a good result.
2. There is minimal go forward from the forwards. There have been 8 linebreaks by the forwards this season! The Crusaders and the Chiefs have made 14 and the 18 respectively. The Tahs have broken 51 Tackles compared to 61 and 97 for the Crusaders and Chiefs.
3. Palu’s work rate is well down on last year. Last night, he made 10 tackles and 9 runs, each one of them tentative and relatively ineffective. He has made one line break this year after 8 games, in compared to 9 last season. He is breaking 25% less tackles, compared to last year.
4. The team’s defence is very good.
5. The principle problem remains the backs. Apart from the first 10 minutes, the Waratahs backs again played with uninspired game tactics.
6. When opportunities arose, their basic skills failed. For example, Tuqiri threw a blatant forward pass with the line open in the first half. Tuqiri, one on one with the Stormers fullback, and about 10 metres out, could not beat him and then failed to give a decent pass to and unmarked Turner with the line wide open. That cost a bonus point. The less said about Kepu and Fitzpatrick’s miscommunication late in the game to bomb another try, the better.
7. Beale worked well off the bench as an impact player. One swallow doesn’t make a summer though!
8. They showed no cohesion in attack.
9. Other than workhorses Carter (11 runs, 12 tackles and 3 tackle busts) and Burgess (7 runs, 13 tackles and 2 tackle busts), and the individual brilliance of Turner and Beale, the other backs were again poor.
Solutions:
In order of priority:
1. Hickey needs to get the backs problem resolved this week, not next week. This week. Less kicking the ball away, more structured attack from set pieces, more running from Burgess, more direct play and support play.
2. The starting team for the next two games should be Burgess, Halangahu, Carter, Horne, Turner, Tahu and Sam Norton-Knight. Beale, Tuqiri and Sheehan need to get 30 minutes game time.
Three into two doesn’t go. Turner, Tahu and Tuqiri are vying for two starting positions. Tuqiri has not delivered.
By selecting Turner and Tahu on the wings for the next two games, the message will be clear. Perform or you are out. No more going to sleep and getting lazy in attack.
Wingers must be able to finish movements, either with their own skills or by setting up another player. Tuqiri blew two opportunities last night and with it, an important bonus point that will determine who gets the essential and lucrative home semi final.
Tahu is struggling. Being a senior player on the bench or being substituted would be very difficult. Tuqiri has not taken his opportunities. Tahu has the ability and desire. He needs someone to show some faith in him for more than 50 minutes.
3. The forwards need to go to the line, straight and hard and with support.
4. The bench needs to be used better. Kepu and Beale made an impact. Fitzpatrick’s blooding continued. Tahu, Thomson, Doherty and Sheehan had no impact.
Time is running out for the backs, as they cost the 2009 campaign valuable bonus points.
The Bulls will be a severe test next week.
Kicking the ball to the Bulls speedy backs could be disastrous. The provincial clash with a resurgent Force will be an equally physical and difficult, but must win, encounter.
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.
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