The rugby gods haven’t done Chris Hickey any favours. The Waratahs coach will be counting on pride to beat the Blues at Eden Park on Friday night to stay alive in the Super Rugby finals.
Hickey has 10 frontline injuries, he’s about to call up his 37th player this season, his side has lost all four overseas games, and won just once at Eden Park in 80 years – the 27-22 success in 2009.
Drought.
It seems all doom and gloom on paper, but that means nothing compared to the 80 minutes on the paddock.
It’s stand up and be counted time. Big time.
Missing will be Berrick Barnes (migraines), Tatafu Polota-Nau (knee), Daniel Halangahu (hamstring), Drew Mitchell (ankle), Sekope Kepu (knee), Al Baxter (concussion), Damien Fitzpatrick (shoulder), Ben Mowen (ankle), Wycliff Palu (hamstring), and Rob Horne with an on-going elbow injury.
Carnage.
It’s interesting to see how many of the injured brigade played in those four overseas losses:
* Lost 18-33 to the Crusaders – Horne, Mitchell, Halangahue, Mowen, Baxter, Polota-Nau, and Kepu played; Fitzpatrick came off the bench.
* Lost 17-31 to the Blues – Mitchell, Halangahue, Mowen, Kepu, and Polota-Nau were on duty; Baxter on the bench.
* Lost 21-26 to the Sharks – Halangahue, Mowen, Kepu, and Polota-Nau played; Baxter bench.
* And lost 17-23 to the Bulls – with Barnes, Halangahue, Mowen, Baxter, and Polota-Nau on duty.
But the most telling miss was warrior-skipper Phil Waugh against the Blues, Sharks, and Bulls. The Waratahs grow in stature when he leads from the front.
And he’ll be on duty come Friday night.
But there are three other positives chalked up by the Waratahs in the tournament, defying the rugby gods:
* Second with 43 tries scored to the Reds, and Crusaders, with 44 – the Blues and Cheetahs 40, the Sharks 39.
* Second with 21 tries conceded to the Stormers incredible 14 from 16 games – Sharks 26, Crusaders 27, and Reds 30.
* The clincher, the Waratahs conceded the least number of points with 252, Stormers 257, Crusaders 273, Reds 309, and the Sharks 339.
Which says volumes for a franchise that’s been hammered by injuries all season, yet stuck to it to score tries and keep opponents short of the white line.
That will be the story Friday night to set up a blockbuster semi against the Reds at a chockers Suncorp.
Mouth-watering stuff.
Jerry
Guest
http://www.lassen.co.nz/s14tab.php The Tahs did score 48, Crusaders second with 46 (from 1 less game) and Reds 3rd with 45. Tahs did have the best differential of tries scored against tries conceded.
Tui
Guest
the 48 tries is complete nonsense as they got to play to 3 of the bottom 4 teams in the comp twice each.
flying hori
Guest
Tah tah Waratahs
mudskipper
Guest
Burgess out now also... jeeez looks like a bridge too far for the Tahs...
Marissa
Guest
Personally I don't think they will have it in them. Anything I would say has been said already re conferences etc
drop kick
Guest
David, Good article but I think some of your stats are wrong. The Tahs scored 48 tries - the most in the competition. Stormers had 18 tries scored against them (4 in the last match) At least that is my count based on SMH reports.
Damo
Guest
Yep Tahs are gone, hopeless, no talent no ticker. Play like schoolboys. Wear girls underwear. My contribution to the logic if this thread. I believe TPN to be a star player (and person). but he is not the only tough hooker in NSW. How far behind daylight the rest are we will know after 3 more sleeps. At last we have Tahs where we want them - down for the count. They will either get up or get lost. But I have an idea that at least a few of them won't die wondering about having a go. It will be a great game. TPN may be there to help with motivation. It is a game built for new heroes. A dream game for Wallaby selectors. Watch this space.
B-Rock
Roar Guru
First I heard that TPN is out - If thats the case the Tahs are pretty much gone.
Harry
Guest
Very difficult for the Tahs also bearing in mind the Blues have a day extra to prepare. While I give the Tahs very little chance without TPN, it will be very interesting to see their tactics for this game. I think with Waugh on the field surrounded by lots of his Sydney Uni mates - 8, 6 (likely 3), 9 and 12 - expect a tight driving game (understand its likely to be wet which also makes this gameplan more likely). Then if they are still in contact after 60 minutes they will inject fresh legs to try and get them over the line.
wal
Guest
yeah here we go again! the blues or the tah write up, why is it that you guys keep talking up the tahs, we know they aint goin pass semi's- pointless actually. must be a tah fan page eh eh eh
Willy
Guest
Is Polota-Nau definitely ruled out? If he is, then I don't give the Tahs much chance at all.
johnny-boy
Guest
C'mon Tahs give it all you've got - cos I dont want you to have anything left if you win :)
Geoff Brisbane
Guest
So David how are the Blues stacking up for the game then if it is only the injury ridden Tahs who have suffered through the season????