After the Waratahs loss to the Force last weekend, it looked like we were back to the Waratahs of old.
Many said that, after a strong start to the season, the Tahs had fallen back into their inconsistent ways.
I saw a different view. Being an avid Tahs fan is hard work. However, over all the years I’ve toiled by the television and at the ground, this is the first year that I can see clear championship potential.
Not enough has been said about the gutsy win against the Stormers in Cape Town. Regardless of form, to walk away with a win out of a two-game series in the Republic is an achievement for any Super Rugby team.
Impressively, it was a win achieved by well-drilled defence, effective goal kicking and a good try when the opportunity presented itself. They showed they could win ugly.
Going into last week’s game against the in-form Force, I was extremely optimistic. I thought (and still think) the men from the west are winning purely as a result of their individual talents, and evidently strong mateship – most telling is that they are winning despite their coach’s influence.
Whoever their forwards and defence coaches are, they deserve considerable praise because both those facets are extremely efficient in the Force. Where they are let down are tactics, strategy, the ability to control phases and have long periods of possession, and most importantly attack.
Two out of the three tries scored by the Force against the Tahs were against the run of play. One was an intercept and a scoop on the loose ball, both capitalised upon by the incumbent Wallaby winger Nick Cummins.
On both occasions the Waratahs had been mounting pressure, moving up the field easily and had connected multiple phases together, before both times making a crucial error.
I am not taking anything away from the Force. It was a well deserved win by an opportunistic side.
However the Tahs will win many more games with their attacking philosophy and disciplined structure. The better team will join the Brumbies in the finals – and the Force will not be there at season’s end.
The Tahs however, may well be.
Crashy
Guest
In 2013, 9 shute shield clubs actually posted a profit. Now they have stopped frittering away the aru's annual grants on paying journeymen, ex mungos and ordinary mercenaries, these clubs have realised you can attract players in other far more long-lasting ways- I.e scholarships ( not just sydney uni) and career advancement. Its not all about money- christ look at half the nrl clubs are still desperately broke and their has never been more money in their game.
Clark
Guest
One man team.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
You notice on attack though how often Beale is playing as fly-half ?
Mike
Guest
I'm not discouraged at all, right now. I might be at the end of tomorrow night. Full credit to the Force by the way - great effort and I hope they go on with it. In fact, I sincerely hope they flog every other team they play!
Mike
Guest
If you keep working on it, you might attain 2nd lowest by the end of the season!
Mike
Guest
"Take out most of the Waratahs’ mistakes and they’ll have won the the match." Can't argue with that. :)
soapit
Guest
no doubt having a what s in it for me attitude percolating all the way down to lower grade coaches in club rugby will make it more difficult for this important reform to succeed but given the focus on financial viability in the early stages its pretty unlikely to get the can after 1 season.
philo
Guest
has anyone noticed that the sides from over the ditch have started to win games more consistently now.( except for my beloved blues) have the tahs been to nz this year yet? all out attack vs all out attack... youd think it be a promoters dream. at least you know the nz teams will attack. message to sir jk, give benji a start to see if he can get something going, the other two guys cant seem to
Stevo
Guest
The warratahs have fans? Who knew? The Tahs should be winning the comp every year given the size and population of NSW. Instead they hath never claimed the trophy and held it. They are drongos but they be good for a laugh as the old pirate sayeth.
Magic Sponge
Guest
The restoration of Clubs is essential if the tahs and the wallabies want to improve. The NRC is a bandaid solution for a shark attack victim. I still think the tahs have a chance to make the semis, I love how queenslanders say the tahs have no heart but the reds have heart because they won a title . Id say in 2014 the tahs have a ton of heart, just need to play a little smarter with a new leader at the helm.
GREG DOWDEN
Guest
national rugby crap please wont last more than 1 year
soapit
Guest
in theory ur supposed to be enjoying coaching and thats your compensation. same as players. in response to your question to mr pulver i think he'd repond with three letters. n r c.
GREG DOWDEN
Guest
THIS IS MY OPINION. As a current referee and recently quit coach of a shute shield lower grade side the problems with nsw is to do with the pathetic state of club rugby. The problem is no money. Have a look at a club like parramatta who cant even pay there gm or the players. I was coach of a 4th grade side at another club. You are expected to give up your time from your family for what? criticism when it doesnt work out. To be honest i am almost lost to the game because the game is a joke. I have played and been involved with the game for 30 years and i am ready too walk away. If you cant get club rugby making money then the waratahs wil never do anything. currently really only about 4 clubs out of the 12 are making money. answers mr pulver?
Firstxv
Guest
"Take out most of the Waratahs’ mistakes and they’ll have won the the match." I like that one...what team wouldnt?
Schuey
Guest
I watched the game and though the Tahs, while deservedly beaten could have racked up a big win with a bit of luck. The structures are there in defence and in their forward play with some lovely short offloading from the pigs. For mine the backline needs work. How I would love a genuine 5/8 who can kick long and control a game (and have the running game Foley has) . Foley for mine is the key position that needs to be upgraded to get the backline firing. Until then we'll be relying on Izzy to break defences. The backline structures break down too often with Beale chiming, jinking, darting, stepping and crowding the backline. It is fantastic in moderation, it's not working often enough. Can we get Foley upgraded please?. Things might click then.
soapit
Guest
if you ask enough people ur going to get at least some crazy responses.i'd give you the same response they needed, lets wait till the seasons finishes before we judge how they've gone. tahs have just finished their tour of SA (always a difficult part of any teams season) and are still in the top 6 and their best player returning so pretty comfortable they're still well in the mix for the title (not the same as saying they will win it but then i dont consider every team that doesnt win a failure so perhaps thats not as much as a focus for me as it is for others)
soapit
Guest
thanks for so clearly identifying yourself to be so one eyed anti-waratah. will save everyone a lot of time not having to take your comments seriously
Quicksilver
Guest
The reality, to me, is the same thing that has plagued the Tahs for years and that is they do not have a first five who can play at the level required to win the competition. Foley can be OK at times but he does not have the talent to cope with all the situations he will have to face in this competition. To me he is journeyman.
Buzzard
Guest
The Tahs are flogs. So called talent on paper, chokers on the field. I still find it funny people were saying the Tahs will win the comp after round 2. I still find it funny the Tahs have never won the comp and the Reds have. Thats the problem with the Wallabies the Tahs influence comes to the floor and the Wallabies fall apart. The Tahs = No heart!
Pakeha Muscle
Guest
Take the mistakes out of any teams games sn they all would of won .