The ability of the NSW Waratahs to prosper without the inspirational leadership of Phil Waugh will come under scrutiny this Saturday, with the veteran flanker rested from the Super rugby clash with the Force in Perth.
Waugh suffered a mild calf strain in last Friday’s 23-16 win over the Chiefs.
“These things can quite easily develop into a grade one tear, and that would probably be six weeks out, so we’re actually going to rest Phil this week to take care of that calf muscle,” NSW coach Chris Hickey said on Monday.
“Hopefully it will be all healed and it won’t be an issue moving forward.
“Waughy sees the big picture and the fact that we’ve got 11 weeks to go. I think last year he started with a strain and then ended up with a tear and that was three or four weeks out, so it’s just a matter of managing it properly so it doesn’t become a long term injury.”
In their one previous game without Waugh this season, NSW produced their worst performance in recent memory, losing 23-3 to the Cheetahs in Sydney.
Another member of the four-man NSW leadership group, five-eighth Berrick Barnes, will also miss Saturday’s match after being in doubt with a head knock for the second straight week.
With over half the competition remaining, Hickey was taking a long term view.
“With Berrick he’s going to see a neurologist tomorrow just to get some more testing done. We obviously want to be certain about him coming back and his welfare is the number one thing, so we’ve also ruled him out for this week as well,” Hickey said.
“We’ve still got another 11 weeks to go in the competition, so player management welfare in a longer season becomes really important to us.”
Lock Dean Mumm, who led NSW against the Cheetahs, is in line to do the job again this week, according to Hickey.
Hickey said Waugh’s spot would go to either Pat McCutcheon, who took his place against the Cheetahs, or Chris Alcock.
The Force are also missing a couple of openside flankers in David Pocock and Matt Hodgson.
Hickey expected another Wallaby back rower, Richard Brown, to line up in the number seven jersey.
He could have a full complement of Test front rowers to choose from this week, with Al Baxter back from injury.
Hickey was well aware of the importance of shutting down in-form Force five-eighth James O’Connor.
“He’s obviously a talented player and one of those players that’s got the ability to make something out of very little, so we need to keep the pressure on him,” Hickey said.
“We need to make sure that the quality of the possession he gets is not front foot ball.”
Winger Drew Mitchell, another member of the Waratahs leadership group, said NSW still had room for improvement in attack, after they managed just two tries from 14 line breaks against the Chiefs.
PeterK
Roar Guru
I really dont think so. Baring injury Sharpe and Horwill will be the starting locks with the dark horse of Vickerman being the best chance depending on how he performs pushing 1 out. The bench could have Wykes or 1 of those 3 if they want a straight up lock otherwise someone like McCalman or Higginbotham to cover lock and/or 6/8. Maybe it is wishful thinking and Deans would still pick Mumm for the bench for his supposed utility value, surely he has een through his lack of contribution in any position.
Gary
Guest
Quite apart from the captaincy issue the clash between favoured son Mumm and the form second rower so far this season Wykes is going to be very interesting as both are gunning for the same spot in the Wallabies team.
PeterK
Roar Guru
jameswm - I considered Barnes and he would be my VC. 2 reasons, running the backline, playmaking, kicking in general play and goal kicking are all on his plate. Thats enough. Also if the forwards are being lazy and need to be motivated I think they would take a lot more notice of an angry TPN than Barnes.
jameswm
Guest
What does anyone ever do? He's steady and reliable on and off the field and obviously part of the leadership group. He obviously decides what's going on in the backs if he plays at 10. I agree he's better at 12 but who else would play 10? It's pretty rich wanting solid evidence that someone is captaincy material, when it's entirely subjective. Who would you nominate as captain then, with Waugh out?
Nicol'arse
Guest
Why? What makes you think Barnes has leadership credentials? I've never seem any solid evidence that he's got the leadership or decision making skills to be an effective leader? I don't even think he should playing at 10. IMO he's best suited at 12 where his best two skills - ball distribution and defense - are optimally utilised. He's not creative enough for 10. And what as he ever done that suggests he would be a good captain? Please do tell...
Denby
Guest
I am going out on a limb here, Waratahs to regain form of the first two games against the force. It won't be the whole season but they will be better from here on in. Nothing to do with Mumm being captain, it is purely a stab in the dark but I am going with it. On captaincy front, TPN, Robbinson, Mitchell or Barnes all look the goods. Solid guys, good performers with a good head on their shoulders. Never seem to be getting attention for the wrong reasons like Beale, Cooper etc. Well I do not remember them getting in trouble at the very least.
AJ
Guest
They definitely drop away alot when Waugh is not there,whether that's due to missing his leadership or good play,you'd have to say abit of both. Im leaning Force in this one atm.
jameswm
Guest
Can they win without Waugh? Yes. Can they win without TPN, or Barnes, or Beale? Not so sure. As for captain - I wouldn't have Mumm in the team either. It's like the cricket selectors - Clarke is lined up as the captain when his form borders on warranting him being dropped. TPN is an interesting one. I have also met him a few times and I can't speak highly enough of the guy. He is bright, respectful, and an all round nice bloke. I have no idea what he is like tactically, but he is certainly an inspirational player. If fit though, I'd have Barnes as captain.
Short-Blind
Guest
My best captain over the years was at Schoolboy level - a Prop who was nowhere near the teams best player but was respected due to his knowledge and guts. He was a very good communicator and very tactically apt (e.g could change a game plan on the run and GET everyone onboard quickly). He constantly talked to his pigs and backs about what they were doing right and wrong and was quick to heap praise or scold if need be. We won several premierships under his captaincy. Given that is my model of a good captain having Mumm (Tahs) and Elsom (Wallabies) as captain is an absolute joke. Mumm in particular drags the Tahs down as he is neither inspirational nor communicative in the way a good captain should be. How top level coaches don't see this is an absolute mystery to me. I agree with PeterK that TPN (who I've met several times) fits the bill at most levels. Name another Waratah that does? Barnes has been spoken about but is not consistently on the field. It really needs to be a piggy. Robinson?
PeterK
Roar Guru
Actually his form is even below Super level now. I would drop him , at best put him on the bench not for impact but cover fo injury so in most cases he doesnt come on.
Mike G
Guest
spot on, PK...I've no idea why they are persisting with Mumm...surely they could persist with Douglas & partner him up with the new (old) guy who played 2 row on Fri night...(memory blank!)...Mumm is soft & is a reserve cover for 6 & 4 at best.
Sportym
Guest
No, gutless and spineless was tahs v cheetahs. Frankly since the saders game the tahs have lost it mentally. Rematch against the reds and rebels will be interesting.
johnny-boy
Guest
It is so obvious to all and sundry (except Tah coaches) that the Tahs fall apart when Mumm is captain. He's a competent Super Rugby level No .6 Nothing more.
PeterK
Roar Guru
funny when Reds played them it was the Reds that looked gutless and spineless.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Of course they can win without Waugh but not with Mumm as captain. He is so soft and lazy. TPN should be captain. Other than his obvious inspiring play, he is very intelligent and articulate. He understands rugby and is a good decision maker.
The Other Reds Fan.
Guest
NSW are spineless. Once again they will not fail to underachieve and disappoint. So much wasted talent. Imagine if you had to support them. The horror.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
This inability or unpreparedness of senior players to step-up and take control has been a concern of mine for a while. For the life of me I just can't figure out why someone (anyone) hasn't seen this is the greatest opportunity of their lives to help themselves, the team and the fans, and just open their gob, speak their mind and Motivate. To me Mumm as Skipper spells out how desperate things are. He is not motivational in the least either in action or words, so why persist with him? I'm assuming it's because he is no risk of ever losing his position. ;) TPN looks a strong candidate as a 'follow me' kind of leader, but with his current reckless style I wonder how long it's going to be before he joins Phil on the bench. Kepu is my current best for the role. Is he willing and able to take on the role?
Dingo Bob
Guest
Phil who?
Who Needs Melon
Guest
Seconded.
thurl
Guest
If their best leaders include Mumm and Mitchell, then of course they will struggle. A team that can only look to that group (Waugh excluded) for direction is always one injury away from disaster. I would have thought TNP provided more leadership. I'm not sure he is captain material, but he backs Waugh up much more than Mummm ever does