The 2014 season is the year I believe, but not because it’s written on the back of a Paddington taxi.
This is the year of the Waratahs. They might not win, but they will perform better than they have recently done.
Some writers are putting forward the reason of “wanting it more”. This logic does not sit well with me.
If simply wanting something more led to results I would have married a Sports Illustrated model – twice.
No, all teams want it. Attitude does effect the one percenters, the extra dead lift, the longer recovery and saying no to beer, but it’s clear all Australian teams do this (apart from Melbourne).
The Tahs will not perform well this year merely because they want it, but due to the following factors.
1. Michael Cheika
This guy knows what he is doing. You can’t expect the coach to impact a team from one off-season, but he has now had two plus one full playing year to gather a roster he wants and implement a system designed his way.
He is old school with regards to his hard work mentality, yet new age and vibrant in his player management.
He is quoted as saying he is not a life coach, but this is simply a modest backhand to the media. He is helping the players become successful and driven in all facets of their life, knowing that positive rugby will follow.
2. The 10/12 combination
Berrick Barnes delivered inconsistently, and his kick first, second, and third mentality was only really ever useful for Test match rugby in the UK.
Sydney Uni stalwarts like Tom Carter and Daniel Halangahu, while great value on a Saturday night out in Newtown, were lucky to be given blue jerseys and were never going to obtain gold ones.
The lack of talent in these two vital playmaking positions was noticeable and consequential. It didn’t matter how much quality sat in the outside backs, because the pill was never going to be sent there.
The two current playmakers, Kurtley Beale and Bernard Foley, have both played well for Australia, and their back ups (Ben Volavola and Jono Lance) are both very exciting and pushing for national selection.
3. Depth
Apart from the 130kg off-loading machine that is Will Skelton, all but one of the starting XV have played for Australia. Both the forward pack and backline will end up putting Wallabies on the bench, and provide selection headaches for the coach.
But like tax on high earnings and unsaturated fats, these are good problems to have. The rugby season is a marathon, not a sprint, and having quality depth all over the park will ensure consistency and longevity for a title push.
Nick Phibbs and Jono Lance may revel now that they are surrounded by more Wallabies, while new and exciting faces include Matt Carraro and Alofa Alofa.
Michael Hooper, Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Beale, meanwhile, are all possible World XV candidates who can change a game.
The Tahs will win over the Reds on Saturday night and do well this year because they have a smart and enthusiastic coach, quality ball players at 10 and 12 and a ruckload of playing depth.
In 2014, Blue should now be a feared colour.
Phil
Guest
Obviously you really know your rugby-ha,ha!
Tah-Man
Roar Pro
Ok, if you're from Qld I get the Tahs hate, but seriously Ireland is ahead of South Africa? Who hates the Irish? And I never knew Queenslanders had such a problem with the brumbies... Oh, and the Wallabies hardly ever beat the All Blacks anywhere - I seriously don't think the venue is our main problem. Even if it did, Suncorp didn't help us against the Boks last year. What was the score? 38-12?
Dr katz
Guest
Its so quiet in red-town you can hear the tumble weeds blowing through after that game.... Great win for the tahs.
philo
Guest
previously I questioned the tahs forwards mettle. this Michael ckeika must be one of the better coach/sports scientists goin around. pretty much the same cattle as last year, but with more mongrel and belief in themselves. that potgeiter fella is crazy.why wouldn't the other forwards lift when you got that lunatic ( I mean it in a positive sense) taking the ball forward. touch wood they get minimal injuries during the season. they bring the entertainment back into the game. go the Auckland blues (whoops) I mean the blues anyway. that young one at 10 on debut went alright
PeterK
Guest
Jimbo81, Adsa, Redder than Kev, FOS, REDSFAN Where are you all now, the silence is golden
cm
Guest
32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 32-5 !!
Red Mullet
Guest
Well so much for analysis and logic, not much turned out as expected. Mediocre Reds monstered. PTT
Phil Bird
Roar Guru
How about now?
Cleveland
Guest
hmmmm....
Jimbo81
Guest
Order of hates: 1. England 2. NZ 3 brumbies 4. Tahs 5. Ireland 6. Boks With the Rebels in form, Reds, Tahs and that team from ACT should make for a very strong Wallaby side this year. I just wish the first Bledisloe wasn't in Sydney. We hardly ever win there. Thanks JON. $2M!
Magic Sponge
Guest
Too true Dmac but based on analysis. Turner was injured but played well for the tahs. Could get a wallabies jersey this year.
Adsa
Guest
Love the confidence of tar boys, talk it upit will make a Reds victory sweeter.
Dmac
Guest
1. If he finds his form 2. Speed might be neutralized in the mud 3. See 2. Fitness is speculative. 4. Wouldn't and couldn't get a start for the Tahs. 5. Apparently Godwin was going to exploit the same channel next week In the end, none of us know, it's all guesswork and whoever guesses right will claim to be genius for a week.
Dmac
Guest
Another fine judge from north of the border.
specks
Guest
He'd be on the bench covering fullback wing and outside... best utility back australia has.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Thanks mate. good call from Cheika. I think he is going to galvanise the other forwards.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Reds supporters are very quiet , must quietly know they are in for one mighty touch up.
bennalong
Guest
A good response Uncle and I'm not approaching this with certainty But the Tahs pack is showing more grunt this season and looks to be addressing that lack of mongrel that has been a fault of the Wallabies as well as our provincial sides. The whole reason for bringing a Saffer in has already brought a mindset change Simmons has improved but big Kev has yet to return to his best. If the Tahs pull their fingers out and play eighty. they'll put ptressure on Genia, and Cooper will drop back into the pocket The Reds of 2011 would be favourites but IMO, despite Genia and Cooper, the team is not as good in attack They remain great defenders however and my worry is that the Tahs defence has not been quick to repond to turnovers Not long to go before we know GO THE TAHS!
Zero Gain
Guest
Not sure, bigger pack, maybe more go forward, but maybe more exhaustion if Quade can run them around.
RobC
Guest
Analysis focused on coach, 10/12, depth. Should instead be on the pack, the halves and defence.