The Waratahs went on their first international trip under Michael Cheika this week and came away with an 11-point loss that belies the closeness of the game and the kind of performance produced.
Obviously, for a side with only four wins after nine games, there are plenty of areas to adjust and improve but things aren’t all bad for the Waratahs. Here’s my take on some of the prominent issues worth noting.
Lineout needs improvement
The Waratahs lineout was horrible against the Bulls. It was Tatafu Polota-Nau and John Ulugia’s wayward throwing compounded by jumpers not reaching their peak height at the right time.
Yes, what I just described are basic and vital functions required to perform a lineout – they weren’t present against the Bulls. The result was the Waratahs only coming away with the ball on about 56% of their own throws, a truly abysmal number.
When Michael Cheika considers who will fill the plethora of available squad positions this offseason, finding a high quality lineout option will be a priority.
The signing of Will Skelton, a young player from the Sydney academy, may help in this area.
Getting into kicking duels won’t work
For the majority of the first half the Waratahs seemed to be lulled into duelling the Bulls in a field position kicking battle.
This can be a default option for an away team until they get their feet, but the Bulls dominated the Waratahs throughout this period and chipped away with penalties without actually having to play rugby.
The game completely changed for the periods where the Waratahs tried to keep the ball in hand. They ran the ball 80 times in the match for 646m, an average of 8m a carry.
The Bulls totalled 655m with ball in hand but needed 100 carries, for an average of 6.5m each carry. Out wide the Waratahs made 12.9 metres per carry, a very strong number.
These display the strengths of the Waratahs and the part of the game they need to rely on instead of kicking to get on top – even from the beginning of away games.
Brendan McKibbin can be put on the bench, but Bernard Foley can’t
I’ve said a fair bit about McKibbin’s passing ability and his tendency to float passes over any kind of distance.
What’s clear is he doesn’t add a great deal Matt Lucas can’t, especially when McKibbin’s kicking is letting him down.
Taking him off in the second half doesn’t worry me in the slightest.
What is more worrying though is the Waratahs without Bernard Foley – when he came off the field the Waratahs attack started going more side-to-side and let the Bulls defence aim up and kill the game off.
Cam Crawford looks like a keeper
It’s only a few games into Crawford’s career with the Waratahs but it seems like he’s worth trying to keep in the fold.
He has a big frame he positions well in contact; both in attack and defence. His boot is the only long one in the Waratahs squad at the moment – three kicks, 140m on the weekend – and might end up taking more of those duties as the season progresses.
It also seems like he has a natural charisma; not easily bothered by the occasion and carries a certain gravitas within the team for a young bloke.
We have a Waratahs team that works hard
This point is the best one and I hope I’m not jinxing it, but for the second week in a row the Waratahs defended admirably and when they did have opportunities to attack continued to move the ball and support without slowing down.
Even the best sides go through periods of stress and pressure – ask the Reds about this week’s big effort without the ball – but the great ones keep picking themselves up and banding together for the next effort.
Kane Douglas had another great game on the weekend – his second in a row – full of hard work. Michael Hooper was his usual brilliant self and Wycliff Palu showed everyone why he’s the best number 8 in Australia whenever he happens to be fit.
Another stand-out duo was Rob Horne and Adam Ashley-Cooper. Together they made 24 tackles and only missed one; a veritable wall in mid-field now.
Finally, for the first time in a few years, the Waratahs might be turning into a hard working outfit. Long live the hard work.
dadiggle
Guest
No. The All Black countered nothing. Steyn do not have that space to kick into cause Fourie Du Preez is not there. So it means the wings can drop back and help cover. Fourie Du preez could pin point kick anywhere on the field. Even to the wings and that threat made the wingers stay in position rather than to drop back and that is how the space was created. Steyn did not lose form. Its just FdP not there anymore he is know just a Kickbot 3000
Justin2
Guest
Not strait is but one issue, how many too long and missing targets low or high?
Fin
Guest
For composure and experience rather than what he might do with it. Once Foley went off it seemed like there was a few individual brainsnaps i.e. chip kicks. Lucas might have played a little smarter with a good communicater outsde him.
Rebel
Guest
It is called team work, there is the jump throw at 2 then the throw jump further back. To blame one and not the other is not fair. It is timing by all involved.
Stanley Grella
Guest
Tey can fine, they panicked. 2 is your bread & butter ball. Not getting it made them run some truly Ridiculus plays in the line to try to create space. According to fox stats TPN has ony had 1 more throw declared not straight than Moore has. It just goes to show how much perception plays a part in how payers are recognized.
Well probably not a good idea to go into too much detail, but Terblanche was sublime, yet team had to transform and that was what happened. No they aren't related.
chris
Guest
Very often. Sadly the bulls haven't had even a decent scrum on more than ten years.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Oh really? Didn't know that. Something you can share here or is it too controversial? ( I think Terreblanche from Eugene Terreblanche is spelt differently so I assume they aren't related at all?)
True, I think JP Pietersen is probably our biggest wing, but I love Aplon, the guy has a boatload full of guts, somthing I am not convinced Basson has who can be questioable on defence. For me Habana is the most balanced wing in defence and attack, but my favourite Bok wing was Stefan Terbalnche, a shame he was ousted for political reasons.
ThelmaWrites
Guest
Why do the Tahs have to wait until the second half to up their tempo? Surely they could save Cheika some haranguing during half-time and reach the rucks before the opposition numbers arrive? And pass the breadth of the field instead of the cramped passing in the middle to players in no position to sprint away?
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Yes probably. Aplon does seem like reaching full speed in no time. Thing is wings often get the ball running, hence my probable preference for Basson but you sure have some speedsters in SA rugby. Rhule and Sergeal Petersen do look very quick too. It's funny how many ppl think that saffies love big heavy backs but your wings have been pretty smallish, height and weight, for quite a while now. I love that as although I like big heavy wings like Savea or Gear, a smaller guy offers something different (footwork, elusiveness and sheer speed of the mark).
From the mark Gio Aplon is lightning quick. I reckon over 40 meters he is fastr than Basson.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Agree albo. I rate Basson as the quickest SR player in activity.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
It goes both ways mate. There's timing AND the throw. I was a hooker when I played, too. It was simplistic, but you can't JUST blame the issues they had on the thrower, although that was the biggest issue.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
I assume you mean 'too much and not 'to much'. Cause if it's never kicked 'to much' .....well to my eye they seem to always manage to land the pill right in the bread basket of the opposition. But I take your point. And IF kicking is not our forte - which seems the case - then best adopt another game plan. Actually I am starting to think Cheika needs to introduce some smart kicking for territory & that sort of thing. Mind you it would help if we could win our own throw.
TK
Guest
Nice article, but wow that's a simplistic analysis of what went wrong with a lineout, and surely it's the job of the thrower to hit the jumper at his peak, not the other way around.
Rebel
Guest
Waldo is definitely one to watch but is a bit of a way off yet. Still very young and coming off a bad injury from last year. A couple of years time will be a good option. Agree with you on Rohan and Apo, great young players. Rohan has to be the best 10 running around in Sydney and good enough to keep Vovo out of the position.
Rebel
Guest
Vovo played a game of club during the Tahs bye at fullback.
Red Kev
Guest
So if 2 was a problem why not throw to 6? Because TPN and Uluiga can't throw that long with any accuracy.
stanley grella
Guest
after watching the game a couple of times im surprised how much attention the lineout throwing is getting. it really wasnt the issue. the major problem was we were getting dominated at 2. the Bulls whee unbelievable and instead of mixing it up and just trying to secure ball the tahs overcomplicated there calls and basically psyched themselves out. communication goes to shit your never going to do well & when you throw in just how well the bulls were jumping your going to have a bad night.