The NSW Waratahs are once bitten, twice wary as they brace themselves for an attacking backlash from the unpredictable Blues in Saturday night’s Super Rugby clash at Allianz Stadium.
The Blues are sitting dead last on the competition table, winless after six rounds and 11 points adrift of the top six.
But the Aucklanders have still managed four bonus points, their average margin for five defeats has been just five points and last outing they again fell narrowly – 30-23 – to the table-topping Hurricanes.
Most important, the Waratahs learnt in a 21-13 loss last year that when the Blues turn on the razzle-dazzle, it can spell trouble for any opposition.
“They’re a dangerous side any day of the week. They’ve got so much talent in the backs,” Waratahs winger Rob Horne said.
Adopting a similarly aggressive and expansive style, the Highlanders punished the Waratahs on counterattack two weeks ago, and NSW defence coach Nathan Grey says minimising one-on-one missed tackles is imperative.
“We’ve certainly highlighted where the Blues are dangerous,” Grey said.
“That transition ball and providing opportunities for guys one-on-one are things that they are very good at. They’ve got a lot of great ball carriers and guys who can create something from nothing.”
Head coach Michael Cheika is demanding the champions retain the physical and mental edge they rediscovered in last week’s impressive win over the Brumbies, and that shouldn’t be a problem after the fiery mentor let rip at his charges during training on Thursday.
Cheika let the Tahs know in no uncertain terms that nothing less than their full focus would be good enough.
Grey said Cheika’s blast was routine and indicated the Waratahs were in a good space as they chase another home triumph that would catapult the titleholders to within two points of the Brumbies on the Australian conference ladder.
Tolu Latu has been rewarded for his excellent scrummaging against the Brumbies with another start at hooker for the Waratahs.
Cheika has yet to decide if regular rake Tatafu Polota-Nau has recovered sufficiently from a head knock to make his return via the bench, bracketing him with Hugh Roach.
Waratahs: Israel Folau, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Matt Carraro, Kurtley Beale, Rob Horne, Benard Foley, Nick Phipps, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Jacques Potgieter, Dave Dennis (capt), Will Skelton, Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Hugh Roach or Tatafu Polota-Nau, Jeremy Tilse, Sam Lousi, Mitch Chapman, Stephen Hoiles, Brendan McKibbon, Jono Lance or Peter Betham.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Tolu was superb last week, definitely deserved to retain his spot. And had been even before TPN was ruled out. Great to see performance being rewarded even over a big name player. I say the above being a big Polota-Nau fan, massively rate the guy.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I live in HK and so haven't been for a few years, was definitely a marked improvement in fan engagement compared to the last couple of games I had been to.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen NSW
Guest
Ha jez! It looked and sounded absolutely great on the idiot box. Tahs fans looked & sounded like a totally different beast. Hopefully gone are the days when fans were too busy on their ipods or sipping wine to get involved. These days they seem really vocal & add so much to the atmosphere. Is that your take on it too or is it just wishful thinking on my part? :(
Mike
Guest
Latu deserves another start. He has really come on. Its also good to see the competition between Betham, Naiyarovoro and Horne for the wing spots.
Mike
Guest
Not a lot of specifics in your post Daz. What "better players" have been overlooked?
PeterK
Roar Guru
brumbies have more wallabies in their team now. They had more on the weekend when they were soundly thrashed. They won the comp last year. Give it a rest until they at least deserve it.
Daz
Guest
Haha eJ I wasn't really serious about the can of dog food thing like I don't think JackPot seriously accused any Brumby forward of being a shirt lifter. I just get so frustrated. Oz rugby has produced some of the best footie players in our history. I just get sick of the cultural cringe. If you scan our history we have generally always bent the knee and tugged the forelock to some other nation. First it was the poms, then it was the yanks. We followed them into more wars than was good for us. I would just like to see rugby grow up and be proud of itself and not have to reference itself against league or those men in black across the Tasman.
Daz
Guest
PK we're not talking about ten or fifteen years ago we're talking about the period since then. We're talking about how Waratah players have consistently been picked over better players from other states for some time now. It's got nothing to do with rugby ability but all to do with holding the line against rugby league. For a population of 4.5 million there are nine (9) rugby league teams against one Waratahs team and most of those league teams would buy and sell the Waratahs team any day of the week and twice on Sunday. Not picking sufficient numbers of Waratahs players would just add more fuel to the widely held Sydney belief that the rah rahs are just not up to scratch.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yeah I'm nervous too Jez. Blues will jag a win eventually. They are a very good side with quality across the park, simply poorly coached. If the Tahs don't turn up with the same intensity as last week, not only will it be disappointing from a fans perspective, but they will get beaten.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Not sure if you are being serious or not Daz, but I'll assume you are so will respond accordingly. Obviously the media attention and focus during a Tahs v Bumbies week is more intense. And therefore everything is reported. It is why SANZAR adopted this model, as there is often more interest in intra-conference derbies, hence more games of this type. The Waratahs have probably said as much this week during post training media sessions. But only a small amount makes it to print because the public's hunger isn't as strong. Whether you agree with it or not is another story. I don't as I love the inter-conference matches just as much. But that's how the media run with it. Supply/demand and all that.
Peter
Guest
Thanks Daz, great story about Hey
taylorman
Roar Guru
Well no ones won by plenty yet. In fact they all could have lost with a pinch of fortune. Plenty? Can't see it.
PeterK
Roar Guru
brumbies have more wallabies. The brumbies in their golden period had the most current starting wallabies ever (justifybly so).
Daz
Guest
Never mind about being wary of the Blues. I want to hear more of that Waratah's talk about how it is personal and how they want to put some sting in their tackles or doesn't the most Wallaby laden side ever care about losing to a NZ or SA side? Am I to assume parochial pride trumps national pride? The phrase "flat track bullies" comes to mind. A better one from racing is "speedy squibs." That is, horses that give owners a great sight in the back straight and encourage them to keep buying hay but are never anywhere near the finish when the whips are cracking. I'd stop buying hay for them at none from eighteen and most of them would have ended up in a can of dog food.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I had a brilliant time there last week Blinky. Pretty sure Joubert heard me when I called for him to review Fardy for the intentional knockdown and I know Robinson heard me when I explained to him that he didn't have an extra zero on his shirt and was in fact wearing 1 and not 10! Was definitely a great atmosphere out there and would encourage anyone to get along and get involved.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Definitely need to be on their game this week. If they front up like they did against the Brumbies they should beat the Blues but I am nervous about this one. The Blues have too many good players to keep going winless. The physicality by the Tahs is going to have to step further up because on that front the likes of Faumuina, Tuipulotu, Luata and Kaino offer another level of physicality compared to the Brumbies. Will be at the HK 7s so won't get to see the match but fingers crossed the guys can take another step forward this week.
Daveski
Guest
The Blues are winless yet still described as unpredictable ? Seems they are pretty predictable to me, predictably mediocre. There might be a few points in this and plenty of forward niggle. Pots will be pulling out his best non-homophobic slurs to get Triggs to do something stupid. Tahs by plenty
Blinky Bill of Bellingen NSW
Guest
I was hoping for a few more tipsters going the way of the Blues. I hope the Tahs don't feel so good about themselves that they fail to get stuck in from the kick off and then hammer the Blues into submission. So that's wish number 1. Wish 2 is for Waratah fans to keep on doing what I've spotted on the tele & really go nuts at the game. Yell & carry-on and have the time of your life. You can really see the players respond to the roar of the crowd. Summary: The boys are building nicely & so are the fans. Keep on going!!!!! ;)
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Ha, ha, forget Kansas, you're not in New Zealand anymore Toto!
Kane
Guest
Memo to the Black Caps, if you do pull off an upset this weekend, stay away from any establishments where Warner might be drinking.