Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has shown commendable faith in picking debutant Jono Lance to fill the big shoes of injured Israel Folau against the Sharks in Durban tomorrow night.
It would have been so easy to switch the experienced Kurtey Beale from inside centre, where he has been a revelation, to fullback. That would have been a double whammy to a side that has clocked up 130 points to 62 in four outings, and a staggering 16 tries to seven.
Folau has scored half of those five-pointers, so having him in the grandstand looking on will be a major blow. But cometh the hour, cometh the man – and that man is Jono Lance.
From the outset early last year, Cheika has made it crystal clear one of his major aims as coach was to have depth. He now has a chance to prove his point against the Sharks, a team still annoyed at being beaten by the Bulls last time out – their first loss of the tournament.
Lance played 21 games for the Reds before signing with the Tahs this season. At 23, he’s a bright prospect with plenty of toe, and if he can chime in with Bernard Foley and Beale, his coach will be well satisfied.
As will Rob Horne on the wing, replacing Alofa Alofa, who can count himself unlucky to be benched. Horne has the edge on Alofa for experience and is a devastating defender, as many of the Sharks will remember over the years. Whether Horne has the ability to beat a man as well as Alofa can remains to be seen.
They’re interesting selections from Cheika, but most of what Cheika does is far from dull.
Wycliff Palu resumes at No. 8 and if he can play most of the game – which in itself is a rarity – he will be a big plus for the Waratahs against the Bismarck du Plessis-led Sharks pack.
It’s a pity that Will Skelton has been benched, with South African Jacques Potgieter joining Wallaby Kane Douglas as the locks. Skelton is still pretty raw, but once he learns how to throw that massive 203cm, 135kg frame of his around the park, both the Waratahs and the Wallabies will have a priceless asset.
He’s only 21 and learning quickly. Hopefully he will be called on early in the piece tomorrow night.
But in the big picture, Cheika must be scratching his head wondering how his entertaining side can’t get through to the fans. They are still staying away in droves, despite the fact the Waratahs are playing the rugby fans have demanded for years.
The Waratahs won’t be at their Allianz Stadium home until Saturday 19 April, when they play the Bulls over Easter. Hopefully by then the Waratahs can crack the 30,000 mark, which they haven’t done for three years.
They deserve a crowd of that size, and the atmosphere it generates.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Yeah Beale is no revelation against good sides. Horne at 12 is required. End the experiment it does not work.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Yeah Beale is no revelation against good sides. Horne at 12 is required. End the experiment it does not work.
Nicholas Hartman
Roar Guru
Funny you mention ANZ being disappointing, some bonza bloke wrote a really good article about that the other day http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/03/13/bigger-isnt-always-better-when-it-comes-to-stadiums/
cm
Guest
Oh for fecks' sake!! I just went on the Tahs' site to check who's on the bench vs Sharks (what, no Hoiles??) and they haven't updated the list since 25 March, when reserves were still to be announced. Russell Fairfax (newby PR guy) and the rest of the Tahs management have a lot to learn about promotion. Do they read fan feedback like this or just rely on a cosy annual meeting with a room full of diehards?
cm
Guest
I went to the Tahs game last week, visiting from Adelaide with the wife. We got seats behind the posts with my Sydney-based son, which are always good value if you're lucky enough to be at the scoring end (which we were). But 20+ minute queues for a beer and crappy food options, also with long queues, detracted heaps from the enjoyment, especially since it wad a small crowd. That said, I won't go to games at ANZ anymore - and I visit my hometown often enough to see three or four games a season.
Mike
Guest
If Tahs really want it they will get it. They have the firepower as a team, individual players don't matter so much.
Paul
Guest
Horne is there to interchange with Beale I guarantee it. Add some starch to the defensive line. I bet Steyn hasn't forgot Horne.
Suzy Poison
Guest
Gone off topic here a wee bit. We were talking about theTahs versus the Sharks tonight. Yes, the Reds were unlucky against Lions, but I think Sharks dominated the Reds across the board, in that earlier game. Yes, Stuart Berry's performance was sub standard, but ovbiously not sub standard enough to be dropped. Probably because once the refs reviewed the match, they realised Berry was mostly penalising the Reds correctly, as they have no idea how to play the breakdown. It's funny how all the Aussie posters here, rave on about the Saffa refs, when in fact the Reds were the most penalised team, way before they left for Africa. The Aussie and Kiwis refs also caned them. The Reds have a massive issue at the breakdown, having a hometown ref might not even help them tonight. The problem is Richard Graham, not the refs. Look. How better the Force are without him. Graham and his team, have no clue how to coach the breakdown.
PeterK
Guest
the ref for the sharks reds game was De Merwe, he HAS been relegated, mind you only after he helped Force beat the chiefs. He was 1 of the 4 demoted. The joke is Beryy who is a lot worse and more biased has not been , officially, he is running the line now.
AndyS
Guest
The only reason bookies have the Sharks installed as favourites is because that is who everyone is betting on. That is all odds are - a reflection of what the betting public thinks. And if nothing else, this years results have shown the truth in the old saying that "none of us is as stupid as all of us".
bennalong
Guest
I'm not interested in bookies. They play stats so they're always behind the moment, and they have no concept of potential. The Sharks beat the Reds because of an atrocious referee. (made me spew when he wasn't benched! Incompetent? Crooked?) I said we CAN win, and I know it's true! Go the Tahs!!!!!
Reilly
Roar Rookie
Waratahs to get creamed by 25.
Crazy Horse
Guest
I wouldn't have thought the Sharks game was the one to try Horne out instead of Alofa.
PeterK
Guest
David Lord had the least errors in an article for a long long time. Only 2 stand out. As mentioned Lance is very slow. The second is suggesting it remains a question that Horne can beat a man as well as Alofa. It has been answered often, no he cannot. As he wrote he is there for his defence and experience. IMO the biggest mistake Cheika has done is the bench. McCutcheon is a very average journeyman. Hoiles and Tala Grey are better. Hoiles has great form. Is he injured? Crawford who would be great on the wing , f/b, or bench with his great boot and physical play is suffering because his form is poor in the games he has played for the 'A' team. Cheika has it correct leaving Beale at 12 , and Lance at 15. They can swap alah Cooper style on defence to counter attack on kicks.
PeterK
Guest
of course it won't be as easy, yes the tahs are a better team, also the sharks won't have a sympathetic ref in Loure De Mere helping them. At least there is a neutral ref this time.
Suzy Poison
Guest
Well the bookies have installed the sharks as favourites for a reason, Bennalong. Lambie pulled up sick an hour before the Reds game. Fran's Steyn slotted into 10, and the Sharks beat the Reds by 15. This was playing against Cooper and Genia, who I rate more highly than Phibbs and Foley. The Sharks didn't miss a beat without Lambie. There is a lot of depth in this sharks team. You have to remember the guys slotting in are all Currie Cup veterans too. Jake has selected some genuine pace at the back, Lwazi Mvovo and JP Pietersen have jet shoes, not to mention the new guy Sithole. I think it was a mistake to select Horne on the wing, he could be exposed, although he has pace too, so let's see. But I do rate Foley, I am a big fan of his. I think the Tahs reversal of fortune has more to do with Chieka and Foley than the headline grabbing Folau. I am tipping the Sharks by 5, it won't be quite as easy as beating the Reds, for the Shorks, I think the Tahs are a much better team.
Crazy Horse
Guest
I think the Sharks at home, even without Lambie, will be too strong for the Tahs without Folau and Alufa. That said the only certain result in the Australain Conference this weekend is that the Force will win the bye.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Why not reduce ticket and beer prices that would be cheapest and easiest way to market the game. It is not rocket science. Treat the fan with respect and reduce the harassment and intimidation of over priced crowd controllers. No rugby follower is going to raid the pitch.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Absolutely agree with you, the Tahs are doing there bit on the field.
Nico'larse
Guest
I'm not convinced that the crowds will flock back in significant numbers despite the fact that they are playing well. I pretty much had to drag a mate to the Rebels game and the crowd would have been lucky to be scraping 10K. No way was it 15K. I don't think you'll see any where near 30K unless they make finals. Which is embarrassing!! They need the support both vocally & financiall! They are playing good footy now... so why isn't everybody coming back to show their appreciation...?