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This is the NSW Waratahs’ first season without their inspirational, some might say dictatorial leader of the past 5 seasons. Waugh racked up 134 caps for the Waratahs, 56 as captain.
It will be interesting to see how the NSW Waratahs fare this coming 2012 rugby season, their first since 2001 without Waugh as a part of the squad.
Perhaps this was the loss they had to have. Perhaps it is a chance for everybody to have a say, not one man leading the team but a team led by many.
In my view, Phil Waugh was an amazing player and contributed greatly to NSW rugby over the years. However, it is hard to ignore the screamingly obvious fact that the Waratahs have had a fog lifted from above their heads and the sun is shining down on them.
This is no more evident than the appointment of a new coach and a new leadership structure which appears to value input from all levels of the playing group.
This is in stark contrast to how the Waratahs have been managed and captained over the past few years.
Throughout Waugh’s reign the Waratahs were an extremely competitive unit, making two appearances in the Championship game in 2005 and 2008. Sadly, on both occasions they were unsuccessful.
There seemed to be an unwavering determination (bloody mindedness, some might say) from Waugh to get one thing and one thing only, a Super Rugby title.
It of course eluded him and this would have been made even more painful given the result the Queensland Reds achieved last year.
Insult may indeed have been added to injury by the fact that their success was guided by the former NSW coach, Ewen McKenzie. This fact would not only be hard for Waugh to fathom but for the Waratahs’ faithful supporters as well.
I myself still feel that the Reds’ success would have been ours if not for the inept Waratahs’ board getting rid of McKenzie too soon.
On a positive note, the playing ranks for 2012 look once again to be strong. Although the loss of key players Kurtley Beale and Luke Burgess will be felt, the return home for former Wallaby captain Rocky Elsom as well as the additions of current Wallaby utility Adam Ashley Cooper and South African Sarel Pretorius will provide much needed starch.
Sitaleki Timani and Chris Alcock will benefit from the game time they each had last year and hopes are also high that the perennially injured pair of Rob Horne and Wycliff Palu will be able to maintain their fitness for the duration of the season.
The return of Rocky is great for the Waratahs. Provided he is fit, he should prove a great replacement for the retiring Waugh. Although not a ‘like for like’ replacement, Rocky’s credentials are well established and need not be proven in this column.
Much has also been written about the Waugh v Elsom standoff but I personally do not know the inside facts. It is possible that Waugh realised that the only way Elsom would return to NSW was if he was gone.
A noble gesture in an effort to obtain that elusive crown for his beloved state? Whatever the reason, Waugh’s retirement has enabled the Tahs to clear the slate and enter into a new era without the burden of ‘what could have been’ or even ‘what should have been’.
So with a new season, a fresh attitude and carrying minimal baggage, hopes are high for a strong showing from the Waratahs in 2012 with the only reason to hold another fan forum being to discuss where to place the Trophy at Waratahs’ HQ.
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.