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This season the Waratahs have continually defied the wishes of their fans and insisted on playing boring, unattractive rugby. As they prepare for their final round showdown, it seems likely this will cost them a semi-final placing.
The Waratahs possess some of the most potent attacking backs in the competition, and for the majority of the year they have gone un-utilised.
If they do miss out on a semi-final place, the Tahs will lament their inability to make the most of these backs and score more tries.
Eddie Jones was recently quoted as saying he thought the Waratahs forwards and backs play as two separate sides.
I tend to agree with this assessment.
If you were a member of the Waratahs forward pack, why wouldn’t you want to deliver the ball to a backline including the likes of Tuqiri, Horne, Tahu and Turner? These guys possess the natural ability to break a game wide open through positive, attacking play.
Instead, the Waratahs have been content to kick the ball and persist with one out runners. Rarely, if at all, would we see the ball make its way out to these explosive backs.
The few times we have seen Turner and Tuquri with the ball in hand has been on counter attack. As for Horne and Tahu, they appear to be on the field solely to cart the ball into a ruck situation. From the ensuing ruck the ball is either kicked down field, or yet another one out runner is employed.
This risk-free style of rugby is gagging the natural instincts of the Waratahs’ backs. The Waratahs fans have been robbed of the opportunity to witness the many talents and skills that their team possesses.
With the backline they have at their disposal, all the Waratah forwards need to do is gain parity with their opposition. If they provide a steady platform for Horne and co. then the Waratahs should be scoring tries on a regular basis.
Its not as if the Waratahs pack is lacking in ability or experience either. Within their roster they have the luxury of selecting an almost complete starting pack who have Wallaby experience, and some left for the reserves.
Guys like Wycliff Palu and Dean Mumm have no problems getting the ball over the advantage line; and Phil Waugh can hold his own in any breakdown.
The forwards have usually been able to provide a platform, and I have no doubts that the backs would love to play attacking football.
Therefore, the question must be asked: why aren’t more tries being scored?
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.