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Waratahs' Wycliff Palu comes under pressure from the Highlanders' defence during round 3 of the Super 14 Rugby match at Sydney Football Stadium, Friday, Feb. 27, 2009. AAP Image/Dean Lewins
There has been much written about 2009 being Annus Horribilus for Australian rugby. No Australian Super 14 team making the Super 14 finals laid the foundation for this.
The Waratahs, the best performing Australian Super 14 side in 2009, had at best a mixed season.
At worst, they chose to ignore their backline and passed up try scoring opportunities (and bonus points) to play “ugly rugby”.
The ultimate irony being that the Waratahs just missed out on the semi finals, by not accruing enough bonus points, even though they won more games than the team finishing above them in fourth position.
In the process, crowd numbers and TV viewers were significantly reduced as fans lost interest.
Monty Python lives on.
The off-season has seen many articles written and many spleens vented by Waratah supporters – reflecting anger and frustration with a season which saw a highly talented Waratah team play one dimensional rugby, continually kicking the ball away, even within the opponents 22!
In 2008, the previous Waratah coach, Ewen McKenzie, was sacked mid-term for playing an unattractive style of rugby. In another twist of irony, his replacement, Chris Hickey, in 2009, added dimension to ugly rugby and took it to a new level of inane boredom.
So where to in 2010? What have Messrs Hickey, Weismantel and Waugh in store for the Waratahs in 2010? Will they seek to entertain or continue to drive us away?
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.