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If there was such a thing as pre-season premierships, the Waratahs would have it wrapped up in 2013.
In fact there’s a sea change in the way the Waratahs’ management are doing business and it has all the hallmarks of the Queensland Reds’ renaissance in 2010.
It appears the Tahs are finally moving away from their fetid “win ugly” approach, which eventually culminated in “lose ugly” last season when they managed 4 wins from 16 games.
Some seriously good decisions are now being made at Tah headquarters, spearheaded by the recruitment of coach Michael Cheika who has made it his job to produce running rugby.
By all reports Cheika is a hard man with a visceral insight.
Owen Finegan, one of the last of the old school, said this of his former coach Cheika. “Very physical, aggressive and uncompromising. A lot of that has transferred into the way he runs his rugby teams.”
“Having played at Randwick in a good era, he also tries to implement that running style of game.
“People say to me ‘who’s your favourite coach?’, and I’ve had lots of them. He’s probably it, mate.”
The recruitment of talent doesn’t stop there, with seat-filler Israel Folau, form flanker Michael Hooper, and new chairman Roger Davis, a man who has sat on more boards than Kelly Slater.
Davis remarked following his appointment, “In the end, it’s all about the product you provide and with rugby it’s about providing people with entertainment, which means exciting and attractive rugby.”
Yes, the Waratahs are keen to recruit some good old fashioned excitement, something we’ve never seen at Moore Park.
Despite historically having more Wallabies than a national park, the Waratahs have never been able to break the cycle of mediocrity.
Management has tended to go for conservative players. Examples include Berrick Barnes, Benn Robinson, Matt Dunning, Daniel Halangahu, Morgan Turinui, Tom Carter, Rob Horne, Al Baxter and Dean Mumm.
Good on defence but with zero flair.
Which is fantastic, but you don’t win a Super Rugby comp with scores culminating in 0 + 0 + 0.
And of course the recruitment of Rocky Elsom last year was probably the worst decision of all time. The man returned from European glory a broken man.
He had nothing left to give.
This particular clanger was followed closely by marquee import Sarel Pretorius from the Cheetahs. The latter signing was an admission that Australia was in need of South Africa’s help. That was never going to be popular with the fans.
Naturally the Tahs have, on occasion, recruited a bit of flair with Drew Mitchell, Lote Tuqiri and Mat Rogers. Kurtley Beale is another.
Unfortunately for them the oblong thing rarely got past inside centre with the fly halves kicking the ball away like a nervous reflex.
Even fullback Matt Burke couldn’t break the cycle of bland. When Cheika played for Randwick he came across Burke.
Allegedly always one to sledge the opposition, Cheika called him Bosnich “because he stood up the back and kicked the ball every now and then.”
In a sign of just how bad it got, last year when the administration eventually sacked coach Michael Foley without the approval of the so-called ‘leadership group’.
Benn Robinson was quoted as saying “It’d be nice for [the Waratahs management] to speak to a few of the key players who might have a fair say or fair influence on how the team should be moving forward”.
Roarer Mick H wrote in his article at the time, “In other words the players want to name their coach. That is a pretty big entitlement for a playing group who finished 11th overall. “
However this is a new year and it appears excitement is on the menu.
Israel Folau promises to bring in the punters. Yes, there’s an element of parading the bearded lady with this latest signing, and yes, we all enjoy an unabashed curiosity. But deep down we all want to see a tiger fight a lion and put bets on who will win.
And in the same way we all want to see how an accomplished player fares between codes.
Even if Folau gets caught out from time to time, which he will, it’s rather immaterial.
The kids remember Jonah Lomu, David Campese, Quade Cooper, Carlos Spencer and Sonny Bill Williams.
All have or had massive flaws in their game yet this enhances the interest factor, not undermines it.
Cheika’s got a plan “at NSW it’s time someone started looking after the place long term as well as short term.
“I’m creating an environment that people want to be in. Create the environment and you’ll end up with the people that want to be in it.”
The Reds did exactly this when Ewen McKenzie took over as coach in 2010.
Lock James Horwill was giving the role of captain, a move which has similarities to the recent appointment of Dave Dennis at the Tahs.
Curiosities like Radike Samo got people interested. Running rugby became the mantra.
A pair of world class players in key positions was enough to start winning games.
A good energy developed about the squad and this permeated management and the fan base. It was a new beginning for the club.
While the Tahs may not win the premiership in 2013, die hard fans will remember how long, how very long they dwelled, on the wrong side of domination.
And how short our memories are.
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.