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The Waratahs’ shock 21-17 loss last week to the Rebels proved vital points about each side’s coach.
Rebels coach Tony McGahan had his low percentage representative squad playing well above their station, while Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson – with a squad chockers with rep players – was clearly outmanoeuvred and outgunned.
To be fair to Gibson, he could hardly be expected to coach his squad to pass, catch, support, tackle and be disciplined – all the basics a rugby man should have learned before he was ten.
Watching the Waratahs last Sunday was revisiting the nightmare days of the 2012 men in blue, when they lost 12 of their 16 games, six of them on the trot.
Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu, David Dennis, Benn Robinson, Paddy Ryan, Jeremy Tilse, Bernard Foley and Tom Kingston, who all played against the Rebels, wouldn’t want to be reminded of four years ago.
It was embarrassing, and so was Sunday.
There’s no excuse for forgetting fundamentals, it’s unforgivable.
Subsequently, Israel Folau, by far the best Waratah who wasn’t around in those horror days, now knows how it feels. He has come out in support of his younger, less-experienced teamates, offering guidance if they feel out of their depth, or lack confidence.
Full marks to Folau, but while I made excuses for Gibson earlier, instilling confidence is the coach’s job.
On that note, Gibson has failed miserably.
With the Waratahs on a bye this weekend, it’s the perfect opportunity for the Kiwi to read his troops the riot act. Former coach Michael Cheika would have done so far earlier, but Gibson is lower key.
And obviously the current crop of Waratahs need a tongue lashing to play to their status – being a nice guy doesn’t cut the mustard. And that’s as much the fault of the players as the coach.
Hopefully Kurtley Beale will be back against the Brumbies after dislocating his elbow at training. The midfield general was sorely missed against the Rebels.
With Beale back on duty there will be 403 Super Rugby caps in the Waratahs’ back division and 538 up front – a grand total of 943. They surely must automatically know how to pass, catch, support, defend and be disciplined.
It’s not a big five-way ask. Repeat, it should be automatic.
Another loss by the Waratahs and they may as well don the swimmers, slap on the sunscreen, and set up a tent on the beach – their season will be done and dusted.
And all Cheika’s great work will be down the tube.
Your move, Gibson.