NSW Waratahs coach Chris Hickey believes his team can target fourth spot on the Super Rugby table if they win their next two games in South Africa against close ladder rivals the Sharks and Bulls.
With four rounds remaining, the Waratahs are fifth in the standings on 45 points, just two ahead of both the Highlanders and Sharks.
NSW would appear to have little chance of a top three spot, as they are nine points behind Australian conference and overall ladder leaders Queensland, who host the fourth-placed Crusaders (48) in Brisbane on Sunday.
A Reds win combined with a NSW win over the Sharks in Durban a few hours earlier could lift the Waratahs up to fourth.
The Waratahs’ following game is in Pretoria against the defending champion Bulls, the only other realistic contenders for a finals berth, who are currently eighth on 40 points.
“If we can pick up both those games I think even a fourth place is not out of the question,” Hickey said.
“But one game at a time, so we’ll just keep our focus on the Sharks and do our best to come away with a win that just puts us a little bit further away from them.
“This is one of those games I think that’s pivotal to both teams.
“The Sharks coming off a loss (to the Bulls) last week will be a little bit sharper I’m sure and being so close on the ladder, the outcome will be a very important four or five points for both teams.
“The Bulls and the Sharks still have to play each other in the last round as well, so like most years, it could come down to the results over that last round.”
With five-eighth Berrick Barnes cleared to play against the Sharks after suffering a third head knock in the current campaign, Hickey reported no injury concerns following last week’s win over the Lions.
“This is probably about the first week I think that we haven’t had someone that’s been ruled out of the game,” Hickey said.
The Sharks will be without winger Odwa Ndungane and prop Jannie du Plessis while centre Adrian Jacobs will undergo a fitness test on an ankle.
On the plus side, front row stalwart John Smit and No.8 Ryan Kankowski could both return from injury.
The Waratahs boast the meanest defence in the competition and Hickey expected that quality to be tested by the Sharks’ attack.
“They are a strong attacking side and against them it’s particularly important to be able to control possession from the start and then to play at the tempo we want to play,” Hickey said.
Rusty
Roar Guru
Sharks team: Louis Ludik, JP Pietersen, Stefan Terblanche, Meyer Bosman, Lwazi Mvovo, Patrick Lambie, Conrad Hoffmann, Keegan Daniel, Jean Deysel, Jacques Botes, Alistair Hargreaves, Steven Sykes, Eugene van Staden, Bismarck du Plessis, John Smit (captain). Replacements: Tendai Mtwarira, Weihahn Herbst, Gerhard Mostert, Willem Alberts, Charl McLeod, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Riaan Swanepoel Its a solid team with a very strong bench but by no means unbeatable. The Sharks have struggled for rythm this season and their centres without a straight runner are a weak point. Not convinced on Ludik either - seems to have been re-programmed since he was playing for the Lions. Wings are both very sharp and powerful. Hoffman is the new man in for the underperforming McLeod - he looked the goods for WP prior to his defection but this is another level. The pack also has plenty of mongrel and more mobility and balance in the backrow - Plum should have worked out that Deysel and Alberts are too alike awhile back. Front row is new, Staden has class and Bismarck is world class. Which brings us to the achilles heal that is Smit. Granted its merely scrum time but its a sin to leave the Beast on the bench. Onto the subs then. Alberts to have massive impact from the Bench probably for Deysel. Beast as a straight swap for Smit or Smit to hooker for the last 20 and Bissie off. Herbst is a bit of an unknown but the rest are all experienced. This game I think will not be a pretty spectacle. Expect both teams to batter each other into submission
tropmalk
Guest
If KB is competitive and "wants to win everything" why is he going to the Rebels? Only for the money!!
Darryl Kerrigan
Guest
CH thinks the Tahs will make fourth and win two in SA? Tell 'im he's dreamin'. Someone!!
p.Tah
Guest
Jets, I'm sure competitiveness is the cause of it and a despire to win everything is critical for a pro sportsman... but there are better ways to handle pressure/frustration. In saying that I'm no saint myself and I actually do like Kurtley. He'll be miseed next year.
Jets
Guest
I think you'll find Kurtley is a competitor. He wants to win everything. Nothing wrong with that in my eyes. The Tah's need more like him. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
p.Tah
Guest
Optimists are good at times, but sometimes they even give me the sh-ts Smile : ) without the space Wink ; ) Frown : ( Giving someone the finger -€ ( I made that one up... It doesn't work). ;)
Johnno
Guest
Yes P.Tah over optimism is a healthy trait mate someimes mate gotta hill ou tlook at the bright side of life more as adults. Amd how does 1 do those smiles i dont no the codes
p.Tah
Guest
Johnno I was actually at the forum. There were cranky blokes there too :) perhaps there is a problem with the set up. I don't know. It is good to have the fans that make the management/players accountable. I'm not one of those fans, I'm at the other end of the spectrum. I just cheer. I don't want to bring stress into my main stress outlet (barracking for my team). If the 'accountability campaign' that some fans are waging brings better rugby i'll be happy they did it. I'll just throw in an overly optimistic comment every now and then in the hope to bring some balance.
Johnno
Guest
True good point they have an angle in the doco at 1st episode. Anyways for what little it is worth(this is cyberspace not reality lol) if you ever get the time to read some of the other roar articles on here and blogger comments, and about the recent fans forum with the Waratah fans and players held recently , it is obvious many fans are dissolusioned with the Waratah set up for multiple reasons, and it is an orginasaiton in most people opinion that needs help in changing the culture, and yes Kurtley Beale is cranky lol, maybe thats why he is leaving, or was probably set up lol
p.Tah
Guest
I'm not a fan of the way they're playing but I've got no insight into their set up and culture. Disappointingly the doc hasn't shown any of that yet... But it's the first episode. I guess they're setting the scene. I expected it to be awesome for the first half and then drop off in the second... What I was getting at in my first comment was... It's unfair to say they don't connect with their fans based on the doco. The documentary maker has focused on how they prepare for the season. They may well have been 'connecting' with the fans during this time. We don't know. I'll have to see a few more episodes before I can comment on the culture and set up etc. By the way Kurtley is a cranky bloke... Lucky he can play footy :) I suspect they set him up.
Johnno
Guest
So are you a fan of the current tah set up and culture p.Tah
p.Tah
Guest
Some people look for what they want to see whether it's there or not...
Johnno
Guest
Watching this doco the code on the Waratahs now. can see why there fans are leaving in droves. What a bunch of souless focussed atheltes with no interest in connecting with their fans. They give a energy that they dont even want fans at there matches and signing an autograph or acknowldeging there fans is a hassle, unlike the reds, bulls or stormers, Dragons RL team, or any other succesful team in sport, they all have a want to have or just naturally have a connection with there fans. The whole ogranization form the managers, coaching,staff, and players overwelming majority i can see why they have no connection with there fans. A certain aloofness only in it for themeselves dont want there fans to come for the ride, well dont worry we havent wev'e abandoned and you, and joined the reds fan brigade who connect and like there fans there elite athletes like you pumping iron in the gym like your quasi advertising doco but they actually connect and acknowledge and value there fans. And you wonder why you say things like , i am leaving this club is taking me knowwhere as a player , no atmoshphere at your matches, well you waratah players are the cause of you are self sabotaging rugby in NSW and you may or may not even realize it. Good riddance i have long not given you money by attending your matches and the rest of the state bar has stopped giving you money ot pay your wages, but a tiny crowd of 14,000 and getting almost zero by the day agree with me.
B-Rock
Roar Guru
I think a lot of us armchair experts have an inflated view of our own sporting knowledge (myself included)... I dont know about you p.Tah but I hate when people think they are experts in my line of work but have no idea what they are talking about - The Tahs (and others) must get this constantly. This is prob where Matt Burke was coming from in his article after the Cheetahs game. I think his wording was a bit harsh but at the end of the day it was addresing my this exact issue. Saying that, I think we do have the right to voice our concerns, even to the point of booing when it gets as bad as the Cheetahs game (an extremely poor performance) - I just think we all need to relax a bit and find some balance in the whole debate
ptovey01
Roar Pro
Hope they do. Don't like the chances if they play half a game again.
johnny-boy
Guest
They could win both games and well, IF they bring their excitement game plan to the paddock. If not, forget it.
p.Tah
Guest
"I have also been critical of the Tahs this season (and past) but think it is getting out of hand." Never has a truer statement been said. We all want change for the better but I think we’re causing some irrevocable damage. We need a new coach, captain, players, board? Who will want to come to this franchise when they are constantly criticised by so many of us who are viewing the organising through the media, forums and from seat 45 Bay 22. When the Tahs form slumped a few years ago we all called for Links head and demanded we have Hickey as his successor. Link left for big and better things and the slump continues. No wonder Kurtley has left for the Rebels. Why train that hard and put your body on the line each week for this feedback (booing). It’s not going swimmingly in Tahland, but many of the jibes are unhelpful. Constructive criticism is required not personal attacks. At the end of the day we are talking about people's lives and careers and unless we have key insights into the day to day operations of the organisation we're not in a position to point fingers. perhap we'll get some insights into the team from the documentaryt airing on Foxtel tonight http://play.viostream.com/?play=24833e62-18c1-4554-88df-39b25841eb00
Eric
Guest
No harm with Hickey talking up a home Q/F, but realistically they will need to get to 60/61 points I think. That is 16 points from four games, two of which are in Durban & Pretoria. Can't see it happening myself.
B-Rock
Roar Guru
Easy on Jameswm - Nothing wrong with setting high expectations - Fans are always shocked when players/coaches display (sometimes irrational) confidence - they believe they can win any game against any team. Any player or coach who doubted themselves would last five minutes at the top level if they made it all A more general comment: Can everyone give the Tahs a chance? It seems like every game, comment, selection and movement is howled down for one reason or another. I have also been critical of the Tahs this season (and past) but think it is getting out of hand. I know they need to win back our support, etc, etc but at least give them a chance. The fact is the tahs are well and truly in the finals race and are probably the 5th or 6th best team in the comp this year, with heaps of potential. If we can win one game in SA then come back with a fresh Palu, Waugh and Vickerman for the final games against Highlanders and Brumbies, there is no reason why a strong pack and formidable defence cant push us deep into the finals. Any improvement in the backline this year should be seen as a bonus given injuries to Mitchell and Horne. I dont want to appear as a one eyed optimist but dont we all think that some support (rather than consistent criticism) would potentially help the team in this push for the finals?... Or we can all jump on the Reds bandwagon and forget the Tahs for the rest of the season
jameswm
Guest
Why is he doing interviews at all? Maybe he should spend more time at training and less at the interview table. If he does have to say something, just say "we're focusing on trying to beat the Sharks". Hickey was the one who brought up a possible 4th place finish - which was completely unnecessary - as well as laughable.