Winger Rob Horne has declared the NSW Waratahs must lift collectively rather than rely on one person to replace injured Kurtley Beale, when the team tries to end their drought against the Crusaders in New Zealand on Friday.
The Australian conference-leading Tahs have lost their last eight away matches to the Crusaders, with none of the current team having played in their last Super Rugby win there in 2004.
“It’s a big aim of ours to go and get away wins, so it will be a huge challenge,” Horne said.
The Waratahs will face the New Zealand heavyweights Crusaders and the Chiefs in successive weeks and will play the remainder of their campaign without influential playmaker Beale.
The Wallabies star suffered a knee injury in the first minute of the Tahs win over the Bulls last weekend and will be sidelined for four to six months.
“It’s brutal. It’s so hard to see such a loved person in our team and especially for NSW supporters and fans it’s so disappointing for him to go down,” Horne said.”
“It’s a huge loss. He’s such a big component of our on-field and off-field, his character around the club.”
“We’re all going to have to step up.”
“You don’t replace someone like that, he’s a major part of our side.”
NSW have won four in a row to revive their ailing season after an erratic start.
The Crusaders and Chiefs, who the Tahs will play in New Zealand, are currently first and second in a ultra-competitive New Zealand conference in which just one point separates the top four teams.
“We’re looking forward to this next block and really testing ourselves,” Horne said.
“We’ve got two tough games with the Crusaders and then the Chiefs at home.”
“It’s a big challenge for us but those types of teams bring the best out of us.”
Horne was understandably wary of a high-scoring Crusaders outfit who have been one of the form sides of the competition.
“They are a high off-loading team. They stretch the field. They are such an attacking outfit that you have to be on to give yourself a chance,” Horne said.
“If you are slightly off, it’s going to be a long day.”
Machooka
Roar Guru
Jack this Muzzo!
Muzzo
Guest
Yep stainless, Izzy still will be trying to "put in the effort", to make his claim for the AB jersey, ahead of Bender.
Muzzo
Guest
Hi Tragic I do feel a little bit sorry for the Tah's, as knowing Canterbury, rugby, they are inclined to not taking a defeat, as last weeks, lying down. A Addington, tomorrow, I can honestly see the Tah's bearing the the wrath of that particular loss. Sorry Chook, but that's the way it looks mate, & hopefully it's not another high score like it was a few years back. This Crusaders, mob will be more than hungry, in making their charge to the finals. I'm sure there will be no time for the beads mates. Oh, Chook, I'm sure Jack could be a great companion, tomorrow night, mate.
stainlesssteve
Guest
yes Shane, and the ref can have a bad day, and the weather can favour one side hope springs eternal
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Bits of a banana skin game for the Crusaders. Teams often lift when they lose a key player. Concern for me though is if the crusaders mentally drop a touch thinking the games a done deal without Beale out there.
stainlesssteve
Guest
keep an eye on Izzy; he has big talent and may yet flower like Ma'a Nonu did
stainlesssteve
Guest
good comment, bennalong, but the danger comes when the attack starts getting creative, when they start "playing what's in front of them", as the saying goes. this is what has made this years rugby so enjoyable and when one team is on song, and it becomes a boil-over, it's still enjoyable, as an exhibition game especially if you're a kiwi if the Waratahs try to play the Saders at their own game, and they get a bit of the rub of the green, that's when it could turn into a tight one. i'd give this about 10% likely, and even then, Saders by a few
pete and paul
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't say so about Havili and Crotty...Folau is an air-head....I don't see anything special in him...he will be the Tahs Achilles Heel
pete and paul
Roar Rookie
Saders 62 v Tahs 3
bennalong
Guest
This will be a geat game. The way the Crrusaders took on the Highlanders was to try to beat them at their own game. Ba Bowwww! The breakdowns were soft from both teams looking for quick ball. It will be very different this week if the Tahs can get up quickly and snuff out the 'saders patterns in defence. Will the Saders on the other hand , be able to get in behind the Tahs defence like the Highlanders did? Last question is will Daryl Gibson's history allow him to come up with something special?
WEST
Roar Guru
Ha ha, the Zoo party was going off!! Becoming more of a mosh pit now. The Landers Army is gathering strength acros NZ as well.
Squirrel
Guest
The crusaders centres are very average, Folau and foley needs a huge game if we are a chance . Crusaders by 3
CUW
Guest
not that simple WEST. they dont have the Highlanders' 3rd row :P they dont have WAI SA KEEE NAAA HOOOO LOOOOO :P
Lano
Roar Guru
Crusaders 37 Tahs 9.
WEST
Roar Guru
The Crusaders are angry after the Highlanders loss, they'll be out to score tries and plenty of them without the TMOs input. The Waratahs forwards will have to stay firm and attack the Crusaders. The Crusaders were taught a good lesson on how to play at the next level by the Highlanders and no doubt they'll be using the experience for the rest of the rounds. The Waratahs would have been watching the Highlanders vs Crusaders match to create a plan of attack... Simple, just play like the Highlanders did to win, no worries mate!
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
CUW, you make all good and valid points but I am talking about the team, 'generally' and the end result. Where the Tahs will seek to focus their offensive with be over to Gibson and his leadership group. They obviously will go into the match with a 'plan to win' ... whether that plan is executed well enough, or even be allowed to be executed, time will tell. While most are blase about the result, I wouldn't write the Tahs off. Stranger things have happened ..
CUW
Guest
Waratahs: 15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Reece Robinson, 13 Israel Folau, 12 David Horwitz, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Jed Holloway, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Dean Mumm, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Davie Dennis, 3 Tom Robertson, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Paddy Ryan Replacements: 16 Angus Ta’avao, 17 Hugh Roach, 18 Jeremy Tilse, 19 Sam Lousi, 20 Wycliff Palu, 21 Matt Lucas, 22 Matt Carraro, 23 Zac Guildford
woodart
Guest
crusaders players have three great reasons to smash the waratahs(1), they are playing for All Blacks jerseys, (2) they are helping mates playing for All Black jerseys.(3) they are helping fellow kiwi sides in the points chase (4) err ,,, crusaders players have many reasons to smash the waratahs,,,,,
CUW
Guest
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Jone Macilai, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody Replacements: 16 Ged Robinson, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Mika Alaalatoa, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Tim Boys, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 David Havili, 23 Marty McKenzie
John R
Roar Guru
"Waratahs keen to keep Crusaders drought going". Now I'm done being a smart alec. My heart says yes to a W here for my beloved 'Tahs. But the head says no. AMI Stadium has got to be one of the toughest places on earth to win a game of Super Rugby. If they can get up though, then surely they'll be considered as a genuine title shot, and not just high performing also rans.