The Super Rugby draw could not have been worse for Michael Cheika.
The Waratahs coach knows only too well success is all about momentum. But his troops have been cut off at the pass with a bye after just two games in which they had pummeled their opponents to the tune of 75 points to 26.
And next Saturday in Canberra the Waratahs clash with the Brumbies, who have played three games straight and definitely have momentum with two successive wins.
How Cheika overcomes that problem will go a long way to proving how substantial the Waratahs’ campaign will be in 2014.
He has the cattle, no doubt about that, with one reservation – Nick Phipps.
Until the former Wallaby halfback gives quicker service from set play and gets more involved in general support play, all those exciting backs outside him will not be seen to advantage.
Yet they have scored 10 tries in two games, with Israel Folau scoring half of them.
And he’ll score a whole lot more once Bernard Folley can feed Kurtley Beale quicker ball so he can link earlier with Folau. They loom as a devastating combination, and it’s early days.
Naming Beale at inside centre was a Cheika masterstroke, as it will prove in the weeks to come.
But while a spectacular 10 tries have been scored in just two games, I reckon six to eight more have been bombed through either impatience or being over-keen.
Either way, New Zealand and South African sides will have a picnic on the scrap pickings if that trend continues.
So Saturday will tell us a lot about the Waratahs, and it will tell Wallaby coach Ewen McKenzie plenty as well.
His main problem is all four potential Wallaby halfbacks are not firing.
On his day, Will Genia is head and shoulders above his peers, but those days are few and far between.
Gone are the days when he has without peer as the world’s best No 9. These days he’s struggling.
The Brumbies’ Nic White is second choice if you believe the selectors, but he’s become a bit of a show pony. And his continual bickering with referees reminds me of George Gregan at his worst, and that’s the biggest turn-off possible.
Rebel Luke Burgess is still doing what he did playing for the Wallabies and the Tahs, before he went to France. He’s still taking what seems to be an eternity to clear set play, with the ball just sitting there until the referees tell him to “use it”.
Does Burgess have to be reminded of his basic job?
Phipps slots into that same category, although to be fair, he’s not nearly as bad as Burgess.
So McKenzie will be looking to one of the four halfbacks to stand up and be counted before the French arrive, and The Rugby Championship gets underway.
As for the other 14 Wallaby positions, McKenzie has increased Robbie Deans’ depth in all positions.
But special mention must be made of David Pocock’s injury, which sees him sidelined for the second season in a row.
It’s rotten luck for the champion open-side flanker, which must raise serious doubts if he can ever play again.
Two full knee reconstructions in a year is a damning fact, and despite being as tough as teak, it appears his knees are not as resilient as the rest of his body.
Fingers crossed for a positive result, but he will be a huge loss to Ewen McKenzie for the rest of the year.
handles
Guest
No it doesn't. This is a simple issue. David Lord says the fixture "could not have been worse" for the Tahs. I called that as rubbish. You want to compare it to the Reds draw, which is totally irrelevant to the question of whether it is good or bad. I fundamentally believe that early home games, and an early bye, represent a 'good' outcome. Nothing you have said even addresses that.
DMac
Guest
Alternatively, you could go back and read your own post, where you referred to the Tahs gold plated draw, and how they should waltz through the season, which basically puts a lie to everything you just said.
ChrisCrus
Guest
I've read several times recently of Pocock being described as the 'champion number 7' but I'm trying to think what winning of silverware he's been a part of to get the 'champion' tag. 'Champions' win titles, surely.
Lindommer
Guest
Dunno what draw you're looking at Mental, but the Tahs' second bye is during round 13, the weekend of 16/17/18 May. You're not counting round 1 as a bye are you? All the Australian and New Zealand teams didn't play that round s the Saffers started a week ahead of us. The Reds' byes are in rounds 10 and 15.
handles
Guest
OK, I am going to go out on a limb here. I haven't done my research, so will rely on memory. Players who were Wallabies when they moved TO the Reds: None. Maybe you could stretch the definition and say Digby. Possibly Turner, but he was well and truly an ex-Wallaby. Players who were Wallabies when they moved to the Waratahs: Off the top of my head.. AAC, Beale, Phipps, Hooper. Going further back, Elsom. Nathan Grey (?) Jason Little. I think Cannon was at the Tahs before he played Wallabies, but if not, there is another. Add to that the soft touch deal where money from the ARU buys Folau, and you get the point I am trying to make when I say chock full of imported talent.
handles
Guest
First bit of reality is that the Reds are not complaining. So the relativity of the two draws was never a question. The only complaint here is D. Lord's ridiculous statement that the Tahs have a bad draw. But thanks for answering that question that nobody asked, nor really cared about. Second bit of reality is that the stats will change all through the season. Which makes a specific point in time measure of the performance of the teams you miss irrelevant. The only point that was made was that the two teams the Tahs miss were both finalists last year. Odds of that happening, in a comp where there are 6 finalists and 15 teams, are, um, how should I put this so that you might understand - NOT VERY HIGH. So the reality that you claim to have interjected is neither correct nor relevant. Good try though.
Buzzard
Guest
I really hope the Brumbies beat the Tahs! Its sickening listening to all the rubbish about how great they are, how they've won the 2014 S15 competition after round 4. Let's be real, its so early in the season, teams are rusty etc.... The Tahs have 2 home games against lacklustre opposition. I'm picking the Tahs to beat the Brumbies but if they don't I'll be laughing MFAO.
Brian
Guest
Foley still has a little ways to go get the Gold 10 from Cooper. Although Foley's running game is better, Cooper's play at the end of the year has to have him as the incubent. Given the backline that Foley has to work with, he should be looking great. Put Cooper on the Tahs; with that pack getting him front foot ball, and that backline full of horses, the Tahs would be scoring even more than they already are.
Chronicle
Roar Rookie
Opinion can often be confused with facts. In this spirit I thought I might offer my opinion and that is the current HB stocks have us in a great position. I will be little radical and rely on some games played so far this season, all 3 and in some cases only 2 to support my opinion. The season opener saw Genia perform well enough to allow Quade Cooper to control the game and steer his side to a hard fought victory and White was by no means overshadowed in a game which the Brumbies could have at least drawn with minutes left and Whites presence was missed by the Brumbies in the final 15 mins after succumbing to cramps. Burgess was Mom in game against Cheetahs and Phipps did a good job in the Waratahs demolition of the Reds. All made mistakes and given the number of times they handle the ball and make tactical decisions regarding their teams plays I am not surprised and neither should you be. We may disagree with when they kick or run or pass but to condemn all our current HBs after in some cases only 2 games which have been won is in my opinion impetuous and in the case of Mr LLoyd almost smacks of being a show pony seeking a response by sensationalism. Looking forward to another great weekend of rugby headlined by the clash of White and Phipps in Canberra and wish both well for the game.
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
Mate I'm a huge Brumbies fan from way back so well aware of these two players and, yes, I have watched every minute of every one of their games for years. Each to their own.
Magic Sponge
Guest
C'mon Foley keep improving and snag that wallaby jersey. Get Mehrtens to help with your kicking and all will be sweet . Q forward pass C has nothing on ya ESP with Genia not given a toss about SRugby
Magic Sponge
Guest
C'mon Foley keep improving and snag that wallaby jersey. Get Mehrtens to help with your kicking and all will be sweet . Q forward pass C has nothing on ya ESP with Genia not given a toss about SRugby
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Phipps is an upgrade at the Tahs IMO, I'm not the biggest fan at Wallaby level however he's a good Super level player. The irony is the inform halfback in Australian Rugby is Kiwi Mathewson. Why can't someone, anyone tell Genia to shelve the mundane, useless Box kick. I've never seen a halfback have so many kicks charged down some leading to tries. He doesn't look like he's enjoying himself and the old mopey Genia seems to be back. Big game in Canberra coming up.
jameswm
Guest
Sure, I'll bet Cliffy Palu is really worried about Mowen getting fired up, and Potgieter is really worried about Sam Carter firing up.
dmac
Guest
The stats would say that the Reds draw is easier than either the Tahs or Brumbies. The Reds miss the Bulls and Chiefs this year, who are a combined 4-2. The Brumbies miss the Lions and Highlanders (3-3). The Tahs miss the Cheetahs and Crusaders (2-5). Sorry for interjecting some reality to your rant. Head on back to dreamland now. Looking forward to your next gem.
JB
Guest
Genia, Phipps Burgess all have pretty poor delivery. So did gregan though. Provided a quality running game is there and used by the half it suits to keep defenders on their heels and tighter into the ruck allowing more space / time out wide. Assuming that a half backs job is to solely pass the football to someone outside him is utterly ridiculous. Many sides have fallen into holes from that one dimensional thinking. Phipps in prior years has been ordinary now he is playing his best football by a mile and gets criticised for it, poor analysis david.
eagleJack
Guest
BB, 0-2 in 2014 would suggest otherwise. They had a great 2013. But that seems a distant memory now. What jameswm is suggesting is that on current form the Tahs would enjoy meeting both the Cheetahs and Crusaders. Something handles thinks they have tried to avoid.
ilikedahoodoogurusingha
Guest
Dennis should keep his mouth closed and concentrate on the game....the last thing he needs is to fire the Brumbies up even more than they already are for 'Tah week. As a by, I believe Ewen McKenzie has come out and said that no one dobbed anyone in.
mick
Guest
Zzzzzzz...worse than Kearns with the lame old backs and forwards ribbing. TPN is hopelessly overrated and will no doubt be injured before the next couple of rounds are done.
Firstxv
Guest
So whats this sledging all about involving Mowen and Moore dobbing the 'mostly tahs' drinkers in on the NH tour last year.? Makes this game all the more interesting.