At the Waratahs home game last week the silence was loud. When I cheered “Go the Tahs!” my mate told me to scale it back, presumably for fear of embarrassment. He’s the worst fan in the world, and he’s a classic Tah fan.
Admittedly, it’s hard to cheer while holding canapés in one hand and a sharp-ish Shiraz in the other. Yet there must be some latent driver at work; something which inhibits their free expression of positivity.
To understand why, perhaps we need to delve into the psyche of the professional living in Sydney. Because, currently at least, this is a very Sydney-centric affair.
Sydney is the financial capital of Australia. Long hours and lattes. Control freaks and corporates. Mortgages so high you’d think their homes were on something.
And at the core of this economy is the rugby fan. The Tah fan.
Traffic gets pushier as you travel south from Newcastle or north from Canberra until you reach the city, whereupon cars slide between each other like a rollerblade party in the back of a removals van. It’s a small detail, but an important one.
All this means is that the Tah fan doesn’t do bored.
They’re generally bashed from pillar to post Monday to Friday and on the weekends if their team can’t inspire them, they may as well have an anti-hero.
Anything to prevent the feeling of numb.
It seems, though, that all is not lost. If it’s entertainment they want, with Michael Cheika and his men it’s entertainment they’ll get.
Under the coach’s leadership this Waratahs outfit has been distancing itself from Phil Waugh’s ‘win ugly’ days, like a youth might from a bad upbringing.
This franchise promises to deliver running rugby and a year into their campaign the squad has achieved distinction, building as genuine title contenders over the next season or two – and doing it with the ball in hand.
The fundamental shift of attitude is being supported by advertising campaigns on buses, taxis and billboards. All reminding Sydneysiders of something they’d forgotten: “This is Tah territory.”
They’re also starting to take the game to other parts of the state. A trial match held in Newcastle was a great reminder the Waratahs represent all of New South Wales and not just Balmain.
There’s excitement on the field with Israel Folau tearing it up at will. Sonny Bill Williams took three years to get to this height, while Folau took only one. He’s already the greatest Wallaby of a generation, and he’s a Waratah.
Kurtley Beale at inside centre is also a brilliant choice. Cheika probably got into Beale’s ear while the latter was dwelling in ignominy at the Rebels.
You can almost hear the conversation.
“Son, the only way to get you back into the Wallabies is at the Waratahs and at inside centre. Kiwis call this position ‘second five eighth’ for a reason.”
Aside from anything material, these Waratahs put their bodies on the line, day in and day out.
Given the long shot of becoming a pro athlete, it’s probably not done for the money. More likely for the game. To make themselves, their families, teammates and fans proud.
We’re part of the system. Let’s do what fans are meant to do and get behind the Waratahs. Win, lose or draw.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Problem is that it doesn't work. You need a password. But they can't give me one. So I'm stuffed.
Yousef Teclab
Roar Guru
If the Tahs fans do not like your loud enthuisatic support for the Tahs they will nit like it when Argentina come to Super Rugby - flares, ticker tape, confetti, trumpets, drums - the works. But a good read and Tahs fans just need to be grateful of what they have in Israel Folau as well as Kurtley Beale.
Otagoz
Guest
My point exactly! Was at the Tahs vs Reds tonight and a young bloke was down the front trying to get some chants going for the Tahs. Nothing seems to catch on. The fans seemed loud only when they scored or put in a big defensive effort.
Alan
Guest
Good comments Phil! Agree totallissimo.
Darth Vadar
Guest
Go Tahs
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
Was worried if I didn't add the smiley face some might take it as genuine. :)
Greg
Guest
Chiefs average high teens, which means about 10-15% of the population within an hour drive is at the game. For comparison, if the rebels or waratahs had those percentages, they would need a stadium that could hold 500,000.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
I love the SFS too. IMO a great stadium. ;) When I stay in Sydney my accomodation is actually far closer to Homebush. But I still prefer the SFS. :)
Phil Bird
Roar Guru
Firm but fair, WNM
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Sorry I but I don't agree at all MS. Of course your take on being a 'supporter' is understandable as we have been terrible for way too long. Thinking about it logically, I suppose that makes me a real dic#head for sticking with them through thick & thin.But being a fan isn't about logic otherwise we'd all simply follow the All Blacks. (Excuse me while I wash my mouth out). My personal take is that when we finally do turn the corner - and we will - that time and those victories will taste all the more sweeter for the disappointments along the way. And in some perverse way, I'll feel I've earned the right to feel chuffed about my beloved Tahs because I was part of the failures as well as part of the successes. ;) Now come on the Tahs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Takes a knob to recognise one Steve
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Who are you Steve ? If I part with my hard-earned to watch sublime mediocrity go round and round ad nauseam year after year then I wouldn't be a loyal fan i would be pretty stupid really -i expect something for my money thanx and the Tahs' didn't feel like it too many times to count so you can put your feaux outrage somewhere where its useful :-)
In Brief
Guest
Just watching the Rebels game tonight and it is head and shoulders above anything league can offer. There is variety, continual contest for possession, and the game is played at a high tempo the five hit ups and kick game could only dream on.
Johnno
Guest
The tahs to play more games outside of Moore park, to build up a fan base, there 2 major demographics are the North shore and eastern suburbs, they need to play more matches outside of Moore Park, than just 2 games at homebush.
Johnno
Guest
The tahs to play more games outside of Moore park, to build up a fan base, there 2 major demographics are the North shore and eastern suburbs, they need to play more matches outside of Moore Park, than just 2 games at homebush.
Loyal Tah Fan
Guest
Dogs of War. Jump on the ticketek website and punch in your rugby id (should be on the million tahs membership emails). You can then print of an e ticket before your membership arrives. Or u can do this through the tahs website.
Epiquin
Guest
They should play the Australian open tennis in front of Waratahs crowds. Rod Laver arena holds about 15,000 so they would get close to filling it and the umpire would never have to say "quiet please."
DaniE
Guest
Did it drop in price?? That's heaps cheaper than I was told. Maybe next time I'm in town.
Wozza
Guest
You're kidding. Things must have changed since I left Sydney's Northern Beaches!
Wozza
Guest
At least a Qlder can watch an origin game in NSW without getting food hurled at them or assaulted. Can't say the same at Suncorp. Worst fans ever coming from a Qlder! Now I've heard everything!!!!!