While the Waratahs aren’t setting out to be the new entertainers of Super Rugby, fullback Kurtley Beale said NSW’s slick backline is keen to ‘express themselves’.
After taking notice of how Queensland played to their backline strengths last season, Beale indicated the Waratahs were planning on showing off their attacking qualities this year.
NSW boast nearly an all-Wallabies backline. The likes of Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Rob Horne, Lachie Turner and Beale are players well in the frame for World Cup selection, and nothing’s going to be left in reserve.
Confident he’s found his home at No.15, Beale spoke of his team’s try-scoring potential at the Waratahs’ season launch on Thursday in Sydney.
“Obviously this year we’ve got the calibre of players, we’ve got the back up, we’ve got the depth to step up and do the job,” said Beale, who says he’s looked after himself much better than in past off-seasons.
“The Waratahs backline this year is very keen to get out there and express themselves.
“Obviously there’s a lot of exciting players in the Waratahs backline and I think … the coaching staff has seen that we can really express ourselves if we get really good ball.
“It’s up to us now to take ownership of using the ball.
“When we get the opportunities we’ve got to take them, we can’t just make mistakes and move onto the next job. We’ve got to take those opportunities as they come.”
The Waratahs have traditionally played a very controlled game in the forwards and rely on their strength in the middle to win matches.
Beale’s confidence indicates a slightly new approach in 2011, but don’t expect the Waratahs to get too adventurous.
He denied they’re aiming to emulate the Reds as the expanded competition’s `entertainers’.
“No, I don’t think so, we’re just going to play footy and do our job,” added Beale ahead of NSW’s opening trial against Fiji Warriors at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday night.
“With the likes of Berrick Barnes and Rob Horne inside me, and then Lachie Turner and Drew Mitchell, we don’t know what we’re going to do.
“Hopefully we can build that confidence and go out there and deliver on the field.”
Captain Phil Waugh knows how often the Waratahs have failed to live up to expectation, and says it’s up to the team to prove on the field that they can hold up that elusive Super rugby title.
NSW have been consistently competitive with the top teams over recent seasons and have kept their side from last year in tact, as well as adding some astute purchases.
However, after they were knocked out in the preliminary final last year, they need to find an extra gear.
Waugh was reluctant to fall into the trap of spruiking his side’s chances, despite the quality of their squad.
“It’s the same questions every year and it’s probably the same promises as well,” Waugh said.
“But the retention of players is important and it’s a big year for rugby and hopefully with the conference system and the way things have panned out the last couple of years hopefully it’ll be to our advantage.”
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Reading the reports and the comments it sounds to me like the boys didn't play too bad for their first hit out of the season. I wonder what the conditions were like in Sydney compared to Fiji v Melbourne? Up here it's a bloody scorcher.
p.Tah
Guest
Just attended the Tahs v Fiji this evening. The Tahs were OK, good in the first quarter but the early season showed in the 3rd and 4th quarter.. They were blowing pretty hard. Judging by the Rebels v Fiji and this game I think the rebels v Tahs on the 18th will be close. Primarily because the Rebels have played more trial games. Fiji were quite good at the breakdown. They seriously tested the Tahs in the close stuff. They didn't play their traditional 7s style game, primarily because the Tahs defense was well structured. The Tahs' wallabies Beale, Turner, Mitchell, TPN were noticeably head and shoulder above the the rest. Turner was surprisingly good as a centre. Barnes was solid, but needs to practice his goal kicking!! Burgess was also solid. Pakalani showed he is great finisher in his first game. The Tahs will be happy to get one game under the belt but they've got a lot of work to do if they want to top the Aust conference and go on to win the title.
Tragic
Guest
I anticipate the flair will come from broken play. Beale Turner and Mitchell will light it up there but winning super rugby requires an outstanding pack and I don't think we have it. Perhaps up in the front row, yes, but that's about it. I'll be very happy to be proven wrong.
phil
Guest
John, I can only assume you have no idea on how to play rugby as if you did you too would be criticising the tactics that are continually employeed by our captain/coach Phil Waugh. While he is with the Waratahs will we never win the title. The tahs have a perfect opportunity this year to phase Waugh out (just like Robbie Deans has done with the Wallabies) and replace him with a VERY good number 7 in Chris Alcock from Gordon. I hope to be proved wrong this season. Good luck Tahs!
John Alleyne
Guest
I just wonder how many Roar experts who continually bag every one in the waratahs have played ,coached, or have had children play rugby union, because most of them seem to be very unhappy, bitter people who have failed to achieve much in life. Their only joy is to bag, complain, they must have great personal relationships.
p.Tah
Guest
oh come on... Yes Phil runs the show... lets blame Phil. Will you boo him when he runs on the field? Who needs an opposition when you have fans like these? Lets see how they play against Fiji tonight... it will be the start of an adventureous season... but not reckless.
PeterK
Guest
Sure we will see a running game, of course we will against Cheetahs, Lions, Highlanders at SFS. The easy beats. As soon as it gets tough or close then back to Waughs boring rugby one off running up the middle. So they will squeek some close wins and win easy games. Come finals time they will lose. I dont mind forwards based rugby if that is your strength BUT then be adventerous with it , good pick and drive, strong mauls, dominating rucks etc. But Tahs do not have a strong enough pack to play this way.
Phil
Guest
Blah blah blah Kurtley, it all sounds good we hear this at the start of every season. While we have our CEO, Coach and Captain All rolled into one Phil Waugh leading the show the ball will never be seeing any width! Sack Phil Waugh now! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
talk is cheap. time to deliver.
eric
Guest
Hickey is a puppet, just like Tim Neilson. Waugh calls the shots and is the one who bollocks his team mates for anything adventurous. If Hickey had balls he would bench Waugh very early in the season. Everyone would be a winner, the team, the spectators and Waugh himself, but he wouldn't see the forest for the trees.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
When did Phil Waugh and Chris Hickey step down??
Red Rooster
Guest
good point - when I see Foley and Waugh taliking up a running game I might believe - otherwise its just the backs dreaming - All we have heard about is how big they are up front so thats going to equate to mauls and set piece
OneJayBee
Roar Rookie
I'm with Eric - proof will be in the pudding I hope it's not just what Kurtley wants but what the powers that be want.....
eric
Guest
That's great Kurtley. Have you checked with Captain Coach Phil Waugh? You know he hates the ball being spun wide.