Coach Michael Cheika has boldly set the NSW Waratahs an ambitious target of finishing in the top two of the 2014 Super Rugby competition, after revealing two more newcomers to his squad.
Former Australia A back Matt Carraro and young hooker Tolu Latu are the latest additions to the 30-man roster, leaving Cheika with only one spot to fill.
The other newcomers previously announced are Wallaby backs Kurtley Beale and Nick Phipps, Springbok loose forward Jacques Potgieter, utility back Jono Lance and back-rower Tala Gray.
Cheika will look for one more front-rower to round out a squad for which he has set a testing goal, after they finished ninth overall and third in the Australian Conference in his first year in charge.
“If we can finish top two, then we’re a chance of winning it – that’s our holy grail,” Cheika said.
He wasn’t concerned he would be placing undue pressure on his players by setting such a high target.
“I think the players would be dirty on me if I didn’t want to set that ambition, now that I feel the base is there,” Cheika said.
“I’m still not convinced about this whole pressure thing. If you are not playing the game to win it, why else are you playing?”
He said focusing on their mental approach and converting more scoring opportunities would be the areas they needed to target to crash the top two.
Cheika said NSW needed to capitalise more on their strength in the scrum and lineout and adopt a more physical approach, while continuing to employ a running style.
“Certain parts of our team will have to become better,” Cheika said.
“The defensive side of the game, we can put a bit more sting in our tail.”
Winger-centre Carraro played for the Brumbies in 2007 and the Waratahs in 2008-09 and returns to Australia after club stints in England and France.
Latu 20, who played in Sydney University’s club premiership-winning side last weekend, is just the second hooker in the squad behind Wallabies star Tatafu Polota-Nau.
He started in the centres before moving into the back-row.
“I got told ‘mate, you are too unfit and you are too slow to be in the loose forwards so you should try your hand in the front row’ … that was probably the best move that I’ve made,” Latu said.
Sam Starr
Guest
I like Chiekas ambition but I think they might need another 2 seasons yet but firstly they need to make the finals first.
Chracol
Guest
Honeymoon's over anyway - next year with all the talent he's bought he has to get a result.
Chracol
Guest
Maybe he means top two in Oz. That's more realistic. That's also possibly 6th. No home semi?
Chracol
Guest
I know what Cheeky's talking about but doesn't it make more sense to aim to win the competition. What's top two got to do with anything. So they get a home semi and lose. No problem - they're satisfied?
Paul
Guest
Last I checked 1st was in the top 2
dmac
Guest
To quote Cheika: "I think that like all the teams we need to be targeting the top two, because it's pretty clear that you need to finish top two if you want to envisage winning the thing,"
dmac
Guest
Who has been mercilessly bagged as lacking aggression and a waste of a good physique for the last two years.
dmac
Guest
Lol.
banana
Guest
nuf said
jameswm
Roar Guru
Top 2 in home and away gives you a home semi.
Chracol
Guest
Exactly. Top 2? What's wrong with 1st?
kelefua
Guest
“If we can finish top two, then we’re a chance of winning it – that’s our holy grail,” If KPIs for his team are set for top 2 finish then fire the brainstrusts who set them. Tahs should just win it, I'm sure that's what the fans want for all their teams.
Go the Wannabe's
Guest
Let the Tah-centric media splurge begin before yet another disappointing season. What will that make it? About 20 seasons into their 3 year plan to win a Super title? There's too many "brands" at the Tah's.....all individuals playing for themselves. Which is a pity, because if they realized that if they played for each other they just might go alright.....hang on, the Brumbies and Reds already have a mortgage on that. It would never catch on in NSW. What would make an interesting article is why Folau is calling for more team bonding off the field for the Wannabe's. I would be fascinated to know his reasons behind that call. What has he seen and what has prompted him to say that? Maybe there's too many silos and brands in the Wannabe's these days as well. That would explain a lot - the Wannabe's becoming the new Tah's. It would make a great article though.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Forget the Waratahs it's all about the Chiefs three peat!! Nasser has been trying to set up a boxing match in Jan in NZ. That tells me SBW is heading back to the Chiefs and the decision is being kept secret to respect the Roosters otherwise they would just sign another year and put it all to bed. I'm going to put $100 on the Chiefs to take it out again, will use the winnings for a three peat party!!!
Simon_Sez
Roar Guru
Ryde Ram I agree, Cheika has also lost Sitaleki Timani
Justin3
Guest
You mean Mowen, from QLD?
RydeRam
Guest
Chieka has rocks in his head. He has let Damien Fitzpatrick go overseas - a local and someone who had a passion for playing in the NSW jumper for who??? When will the NSWRU learn? Mowen is another great example. RR
Loyal Tah Fan
Guest
Waratahs beat both the chiefs and brumbies this year?
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Random underperformers? Like who? Deans was of making the best of what hes got and imo he pretty much did, especially in 2011 & 2012. Have the last 4 tests taught you nothing? Since Deans was sacked the Wallabies have been thrashed 3 times and just scraped by against the 10th ranked team Arg. They have won 1 from 4 and only by the narrowest of margins with some help from the ref they avoided it being 0 from 4. The average tries scored against them is 3.25 & the ave tries scored by them is 1. Thats far worse than under Deans and its clear that Aus were looking flat in 2012 because they just were not good enough and still are not despite the change of coach and return of Horwill, Genia, JOC, Lealiifano and Cooper. Aus is not a great team and under Deans they won more than they were entitled to. Imo they didnt have a top 3 team on paper and especially with so many injuries over the last 2 years.
The OG AlBo
Roar Guru
Self correction... he did say top two of the comp. But I stand by my point. :)