Where to now for the Waratahs? Two early losses sees them in eighth spot and staring down the barrel of a tough season.
Their next matches are against the Force, Sharks and Chiefs. The first two are at home and the last is looming against a side playing well in Hamilton.
The key for the Waratahs is that they have to be positive. One loss came about giving up a 70-metre try after the hooter. We could dwell on kicking away possession with thirty seconds on the clock but I think enough has been said about that night already.
The second loss was a one-point thriller against the form New Zealand team, in New Zealand. The Highlanders have now claimed the scalps of both the Crusaders and the Waratahs at Forsyth Barr and if they keep this up they’ll build a fortress reputation to replace their old House of Pain.
It would be quite easy for the Waratahs to focus on the negatives, dwell on their errors and feel sorry for themselves. Bernard Foley pointed at a failure in skills after the weekend. Many of us fans have looked at the injury list and groaned.
To focus on the negatives and think that they are the only team suffering would be a mistake. They need to look at their positives and select a few key areas to improve in.
The front row are scrummaging superbly and should be stronger if they swap the returning Sitaleki Timani in for Dean Mumm.
Their playmaker Berrick Barnes has a game under his belt and needs to be given the number 10 shirt. A centre pairing of Rob Horne and Adam Ashely-Cooper outside him should be given a try sooner rather than later. I assume that Daniel Halangahu was mainly kept on to rest Barnes’ injured groin from kicking duties; is Foley a kicker who could take over that role?
If the above changes occur the vacated wing spot would seem most likely to be filled by Brackin Karauria-Henry or Nathan Trist, at least until Atieli Pakalani and Drew Mitchell return.
On the weekend, my take was that the Waratahs kicked possession away because they had greater faith in their defence than they did in their ability to take the ball into contact and retain it. The whole team collectively need to be better and more committed at the breakdown so that they can use the ball with confidence.
In particular I’d like to see Sitaleki Timani and Kane Douglas start punishing opponents with their cleanouts. They are both over 120kgs and need to bring some menace into the Waratahs pack, which is missing enforcers in Wycliff Palu and Dan Vickerman. There is no point whining about the missing players; the young guys are big enough and now have to show they can be good enough.
They won’t be able to do it alone. The whole team – in particular the all-Wallaby front row and international outside backs Horne and Ashley Cooper – needs to take the lead and bring their teammates with them. Yes, that’s right folks; it isn’t just forwards who are expected to hit the breakdown these days. The backs need to lift in that department too.
The young guys getting opportunities in the absence of others has been encouraging with Jono Jenkins, Dave Dennis, Lopeti Timani, Tom Kingston and Bernard Foley in particular making some strong contributions.
The Force have underperformed so far this year. If the Waratahs play to their potential they should record a victory, they cannot afford to take the Force lightly though.
The Sharks will be a tough side. They were desperately unlucky not to win at the Sydney Football Stadium a couple of seasons ago and probably have that memory tucked away somewhere for motivation. The Waratahs will have had two weeks in their beds, while the Sharks will have just made the long flight from South Africa. The Waratahs will have to play well but cannot ask for more of a leg up than that.
Finally the Chiefs loom. After an initial tight loss to the Highlanders they have claimed the scalps of the Crusaders and Blues, on the back of a much improved forward pack to match their backline which, if anything, is even more dynamic than usual.
Sona Taumalolo has brought great form home from the World Cup and the addition of 20-year old, 138-kilogram Ben Tameifuna has helped turn their scrum into a weapon. The scrummaging form of Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Sekope Kepu will meet its sternest test so far this season, as will the defence of whichever centre pairing takes the park.
All in all these next three weeks will show us the character of the 2012 Waratahs; can they get their season on track?
Will they do it by fixing their flaws which only get exposed by the top sides? Or will they continue with game plans that work against the weaker teams in the hope that they can scrape into the semis?
Here is hoping they make some positive changes.
jameswm
Guest
Pakalani?
jameswm
Guest
I agree with PeterK - the Tahs have a heap of talent when their top players are on the pitch. For a lot of last year, the Tahs had half a Wallaby starting team injured. You just can't expect a team to do well come semis time with that. This year, still, Mitchell, Turner, Vicks, Timani and Rocky haven't played all year, and Palu has only played bits. Turner is the least missed (and he's out for the year), so I thought the Tahs did very well to run the Highlanders so close, and frankly were murdered by the incompetent reffing display, with some decisions resulting directly in points.
PeterK
Guest
Rugbug - Timani has not played for the tahs this season so how he can be counted is beyond me. Carter is a journeyman. My point stands that both teams the Tahs lost to has more talented players. If you merged the teams that started you would get more reds players or highlanders than Tahs. The tahs have 3 starting Wallaby players. Robinson and Kepu in the forwards and hence their strong scrum, and 1 back Horne, Barnes only started when injuries hit. So a team with 3 current starting Wallabies is not that laden with talent.
Big Dog
Guest
I couldn't agree more re: the comments concerning the back line - especially replacing Halangahu with Barnes and moving AAC to 13, and putting Horne at 12. It seems to me this week in particular would have been the most opportune time to try this combination before taking on the Saffa and Kiwi sides they will soon meet. As Campo rightly points out in his article today, the Highlanders got the ball to their outside backs much quicker than the Tahs. Halangahu IMHO, seemed too slow at providing this basic skill (for a 5/8). I don't understand Foley's reluctance to put Barnes back into 10, especially as he was originally slated to play 10 (and captain the side) for the opening round against the Reds - before injury forced the change to Halangahu. The forwards especially the front row are showing the Tahs are moving in the right direction. A bit more zip from the inside backs, and we might see a bit more cohesion from the team as a whole.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Radike Samo version 2.0!
jeznez
Roar Guru
Timani at right wing? Is that second rower Sitaleki Timani? Or back rower Lopeti Timani?
jeznez
Roar Guru
'poached'??? He is a Sydneysider who got signed to the Tahs while still at school - who was he poached from?
Justin
Guest
Have I misread this? Labelling Carter and Timani exceptional talent?
Justin
Guest
Fair enough but Cooper hasnt needed nor had an experienced 12 next to him. And that doesnt change my opinion of Beale that he lacks certain skills to be a 10 that is world class, unlike Cooper who has virtually all of them from an attacking standpoint.
Rugbug
Guest
Polata Nau, Carter, Sitaleki Timani, AAC just to name a few. PeterK all last year you used the excuse of injuries to explain away the shortcomings of the Tahs and you are using the same old tired excuses again. The Tahs have a very good team on paper and its high time they actually lived up to the billing that their roster suggests. every team has injuries Peter K. In the end it all comes down to how much these players want it. Also in regards to players and how they are rated it also comes down to perception, I perceive the Tahs to be a lot better players than you give them credit for and I still think the Tahs will win the Australian Conference.
Stin
Guest
@ Jack Petro - Timani on the wing ya reckon? Which Timani? Who's faster. Not sure if that was a miss print but it'd be fun to watch!
MikeG
Roar Rookie
I was told I spent too much time in the playmaking role for a guy with #7 on his back!!! Seems funny to be talking about the Tahs not having the cash to keep KB, so I reckon it was more than just that...KB was poached early on by the Tahs don't forget, so perhaps he was just stale and saw M Foley as being a "more of the same" kinda coach
MikeG
Roar Rookie
Justin, I don't consider it laughable at all...you are comparing a 19 yo KB playing at #10 with a 23yo KB who has played the last few years at #15. My point is, the Tahs didn't have a quality #12 next to him when he was at flyhalf, I think Barnes would solve that issue (much the same as I think Harris will end up next to Cooper)
levelheaded
Guest
Great call Jack Petro - calling on NSW Rugby supporters, come out with fine voice this Saturday night at SFS and join us in the stands. No use sitting at home, the big reason why other sports are winning the fight is their supporters support! Become a member and attend! There is no doubt the players gain a significant lift with a sea of blue chanting support. C'mon everyone, there is an ad in the SMH today saying kids from $10 and adults from $20 - pretty good value too!! let's bring Rugby back, and support our NSW side - the more money they have, the greater the experience will be. We can make a difference!!!!
Jack Petro
Guest
Oh - on a team side - they will improve and finish in the top 6. Michael Foley seems to be looking after his players and that bodes well for the rest of the competition: no use putting 80% fit players out there to be injured and lose them for the rest of the season. Backline may be a bit of a question mark but feel the BEST backline (with available players) is: 9. Pretorius 10. Foley 11. Kingston 12. Barnes 13. Horne 14. Timani 15. AAC Reserve 1: McKibbin Reserve 2: Halangalu / Cater
Jack Petro
Guest
The Waratahs need one thing at home - CROWD SUPPORT. You see what it has done to the Reds but for the Chardoney sipping NSW crowd, it might be a bit over the top to ask them to turn up and support their side - they might, if there's nothing on the ABC or SBS - and if the turn up, they won't make a noise. Very scary if your on the opposition, don't you think! Where's the 23rd Player?
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
In fact Mike I wasn't in a playmaking position when I played so I would be even worse than I would anyway! It seems that teams like the Waratahs and Force don't have the money to keep KBs and JOCs which is not the way things should be.
Justin
Guest
Mike KB is a runner and brilliant solo footballer. Cooper is this but involves other people with his worlds best passing game. Just having an X factor doesn't mean he can play 10. This call for him to be a 10 is laughable when you consider the gulf in performance from his efforts in 10 v 15.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Well it's early days for JWH's conversion at the moment and these days often these signings don't come off. Timani junior could be what the Wallabies have been looking for, but it's early days for him too.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Justin one has to say though that the Waratahs didn't do a great job of developing him.