The NSW Waratahs believe they’ll find out on Friday night whether or not they’re Super Rugby title contenders in 2017.
After a two-from-six start, the 2014 champions look every bit pretenders heading to Wellington to take on the defending champion Hurricanes.
But the Waratahs haven’t given up hope of pushing for a second title in four seasons, even after conceding another six tries in Sunday’s 41-22 home loss to the Crusaders.
“It’s still within our control to do as well as we want to do this year. Yes, we’ve had a hard run and we’ve had some results that haven’t gone our way,” NSW attack coach Chris Malone said on Tuesday.
“But seven minutes to go (against the Crusaders), we’re still in that contest, we’re on their line, we’re down by seven points.
“I take great heart out of that and belief that what we’re trying to do will work.
“Yes, we shot ourselves in the foot with different things in the game. But if we get those right, we get more consistent around what we do, I believe we can play against, compete and beat the top teams in the comp.”
The Hurricanes are averaging a tick under 50 points a game this campaign, an ominous sign for a Waratahs outfit that missed 47 tackles on Sunday.
“They’re the champions, they won last year, they’re in red-hot form so you really know where you sit in terms of the competition (after) playing both the Crusaders on Sunday and then backing up against the Hurricanes this Friday night,” Malone said.
“This will give us a good idea if we’re good enough to take out the title or not.”
If the Tahs remain upbeat about this year, Malone is even more excited about the franchise’s long-term prospects under coach Daryl Gibson.
Gibson is under pressure to continue the success that now-Wallabies coach Michael Cheika brought to the Waratahs, but Malone gives the former All Black credit for not taking the easy option.
An exodus of a host of Wallabies stars including Kurtley Beale, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Drew Mitchell, Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Kane Douglas and club captain Dave Dennis since the Waratahs reigned in 2014 hasn’t helped Gibson.
But rather than sign marquee imports, the Kiwi has pushed the youth movement and that stands the Tahs in good stead, according to Malone.
“It’s one of the great positives about the Waratahs and what Gibbo’s trying to do in bringing few some guys,” Malone said.
“Already we’ve had Tolu Latu, Jake Gordon. We’ve had David Horwitz. You had Mack Mason last weekend. They’re all young guys.
“Jack Dempsey, Jed Holloway, Ned Hanigan; they’re all young exciting talents. Andrew Kellaway.
“And our job is to continue to get it better, obviously, and there’s consistency things about being a young bloke and playing, as there is with everyone.
“But I’m really excited.”
Jokerman
Guest
They could be fooling us all. Like the fool card in Tarrot who is going with the flow and is in the moment. Going slow, losing games, resting players but do just enough to be the best Aussi teams and then!! Just when you thought you had had seen enough??!! Yes just three games to win... This would be a perfect setup for me back in the day: Cruise along through mid season. Party, drink during the day, sleep in too! But do enough to be the best of your Aussi conference. Then you get disciplined for the final three games. The only issue here is the Tahs are pretty average compared to the NZ teams and they may need a miracle to win three in a row. Sadly if the Tahs were to consult the Tarrot cards for an answer on their chances for a Super title undoubtedly the death and tower card would be pulled. The tower has men falling off from great heights; it does not depict good news.
TT
Guest
“This will give us a good idea if we’re good enough to take out the title or not.” Surely he mean's the Oz conference title:-) Love the fighting spirit but seriously though, if getting beaten at home by the Crusader's missing the like's of Mounga, Dagg and Read doesn't highlight the obvious to Malone then I'm afraid nothing will. I get that they have to say something positive building up to games but it always pays to keep it somewhat realistic. Suppose the Cane's win by 20-30 pts... What next? You quickly back yourself into a corner trying to find positives prior to subsequest matches for one... All that being said... I hope the Tahs go well
puff
Guest
If you seriously do a critical critique of the OZ conference the Tah’s would jump off the page as the premier team. But Daryl is discovering that a room full of Wallabies these days offers no guarantee of smiles all round after each match. On Sunday only one Waratah, in my opinion stayed committed for the full 80 minutes, Hooper. Others were like faded silhouettes going through the motions, then there was out of form Israel, could someone please tell him to leave distractions like gum in the changing room. To be fair it’s the younger brigade who had the momentum, a statistic probably not lost in the coaching box. After the forthcoming challenge in Wellington there could be some relief for the Tah’s, but only if the complacently and impoverished performances by mainly senior players are eliminated. The beauty of playing any Kiwi team, quickly identifies the positives and deficiencies, therefore DG should be much more astute regardless of the result.
Sam
Guest
I don't think it was as pronounced last year, but this year I think we are already seeing some teams taking this approach to their season. Their focus is on winning their conference and then trying their luck in the finals. Inter-conference games are being de-prioritised if there is little chance of winning.
gman
Guest
They need to stop talking and start producing It's that simple The thought they could qualify proves what a crap system the conference system is Bring on transtasman comp - Thanks god I have SS to.look forward to this weekend
piru
Roar Rookie
They wouldn't have beaten us with that performance
country boy
Guest
Good read - I needed some comic relief today. Yes, they were on the Crusaders line, but could not penetrate. I was at the game and there were a lot of Tahs players blowing heavily and standing hands on knees in the last ten minutes.
Old Bugger
Guest
Like last week - I was sure I saw a roar post headline quoting Hooper saying "We will put them to the sword..." or something like that. Funnily enough, that post was gone on Monday morning and this one, appears today. Talk about lip service......haha!!
Kiwi in us
Guest
Good read. Glad young guys are getting starts. The highlanders banged away for years before it blossomed. I would add that the warratahs forward effort missed the departure of Potts, as well.
Fox
Roar Guru
No that is true - but a lot of it is PR for Australian rugby as well....its the always present the "chin up lads" ethos. Whether deep deep down he himself really believes that is another thing entirely. I somehow doubt it. But you never know I guess. But the Crusaders - traditionally bad starters - they certainly are not. Time will tell. They have to win the Australian conference first as there will be, and almost certainly, only one Australian team in the finals.
Daveyboy
Guest
With their endless mindless box kicks and porous defence the only title the Waratahs are competing for is the wooden spoon. The frustrating thing is that this team can score tries even against the best, i.e. Lions and Crusaders, but poor defence really lets them down. Can we have a different defence coach please?
Rebellion
Guest
I get sick and tired of the ARU's directive for clubs to spin outrageously optimistic lines of self belief to the media - as if prospective viewers will be fooled. Whatever happened to players keeping their mouth shut and giving themselves the chance of benefiting from the element of surprise in a good performance. The whole direction of the ARU is wrong in almost every respect.
Paul
Guest
What's wrong with having a positive attitude? Would you rather coaches and players just threw in the towel? It would seem it's a criminal offence to answer a journalists questions these days....
Gewurtz
Guest
It proves the point: SR's conference system is crazy!
mania
Guest
I like what gibsons doing and the other franchises should be following suit as opposed to poaching players and/or coaches off each other
Faith
Guest
Man, the stuff that comes out of coaches and players ... incredible. Why not concentrate on a game at a time? I mean some of the stuff that Hooper was saying before the Saders game. And when the Bledisloe comes around some random player will talk some more smack ... why?
Dat Mavis
Roar Pro
Well, there's some truth there, because the Australian conference is so even at this point in the season. They're not going to win the comp if they don't start beating someone other than the Force and Rebels though, so, anytime guys.
taylorman
Guest
Gosh, I guess so.
Lostintokyo
Guest
I guess they are talking straight maths as every other aspect of their play suggest "pretenders" is more accurate. There is a lot of young talent on show which is promising but they aren't a team yet.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
Well I suppose that they just have to top the Aussie conference then win three in a row at the end. Anything's possible.......