NSW Waratahs assistant coach Chris Malone says the unusual conditions in Dunedin will suit his side’s style of play, as they seek to end Australia’s recent hideous Super Rugby record against New Zealand sides.
Second in the weak Australian conference, the Waratahs face season-defining matches away to NZ sides the Highlanders and Chiefs over the next two weekends.
Losses in one or both games could potentially allow the Australian conference-leading Brumbies to stretch their four-point lead over NSW to almost insurmountable proportions before the June break.
The Highlanders have won eight straight and will host the Tahs under the closed roof of their Forsyth Barr Stadium home.
“We’re playing inside, so we’re going to get good conditions,” Malone said.
“They will be favourable conditions to the way we like to play and we’ve got to see that as a great opportunity.
“The opportunity comes in the fact that no-one (Australian side ) has beaten one (a New Zealand side this season), so what better time to go over there and make sure it’s us.
“I think it would just be good for Australian rugby also if we can go over there and do well and actually show everyone what we’re capable of and what Australian teams have got to produce.”
While the Highlanders pack in particular isn’t stacked with stars and household names, Malone stressed their selfless hard-working approach was a key to their success.
“You can see there’s a lot of (Highlanders) guys that most people don’t know exactly who they are,” he said.
“But you look across the comp, they’ve got big numbers in terms of their stats, and there’s a lot of tackles made.
“They just work hard for each other and obviously one of the big areas of their attack is when they turn the (other team’s) ball over.
“They are pretty deadly from turnover attack so it’s something we’ve got to make sure we’re good in terms of our ball control on the weekend and try and nullify that threat of theirs.”
Jumbo
Guest
More chest thumping, from the horrortahs
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Going on the stats from Fox Sports
MitchO
Guest
Atrocious conditions in theory bring a skilful fast team back to the pack so for example the Highlanders vs Canes may be close and tough but of course a skilful team (eg NZ) will handle the wet better than an unskilled team (eg Aus). Particular if you consider the effectiveness of the two forward packs. NSW as an 8 man unit is pretty soft. But there is hope. The Force matched up pretty well in the first half but couldn't score points before getting totally spanked. The Force at least have a pretty tough forward pack. There is hope for NSW but they need 80 minutes and they need to show some heart. Do they have it? Question for the floor, what is Ned Hanigans missed tackle / tackle completion rate. Is he actually a good blindside or is just a good ball runner?
Old Bugger
Guest
Degustation is right Chook cos by next weekend, the Chefs will be feeling mighty hungry, for some "steak-n-tah" pie.....
Nick Cross
Guest
To be fair he's hardly mouthing off.
Faith
Guest
If there were stats for talking the Tahs would win that hands down. Every other week someone from their camp is mouthing off. First Folau and now this cat. At least they are now better at talking than thugby and niggle. Good riddance to the Mumm who's retiring. After every stop in play always hanging in the wings to mouth off and push ... lol. Not a peep from the Landers on any NZ side before a game. So, let's see how it goes ...
PeterK
Roar Guru
rebels lost to the kings 44-3
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
And I think Foley is due a little credit. His clearance kicks have improved this year I feel. Still a overall weakness for the side, but an improvement on 2015. They definitely have, and thank god too. The lack of kicking option at 10 has been a killer for years. Mick Byrnes' influence maybe?
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Gimme my hook, line and sinker back.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
NEWSFLASH: Bottom dweller beats Wooden Spooners. Scores 6 tries, lets in 3. Let's see how they go against the Zoolanders. They have Iima and Waisaki back this week. What about Ben Smith? And those "Non-" household names you speak of: Aaron Smith, Fekitoa, Dickson, Osborne, Squire, Faddes, Banks, Lenirt-Brown,, to name a few that would be familar in Kiwi households and should give any opposition coach sleepless nights.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
The only Australian team that couldn't beat the Kings manages to beat the hapless Rebels after taking out their goal kicker in the opening minute of the game and suddenly their world beaters!
cuw
Guest
talking of HIGHLANDERS , what of the playing of DILLON HUNT/ looks a very good 7 for someone with little top end experience.
WEST
Roar Guru
Just because its under a roof doesn't mean its dry, not down in Dunedin anyway theres still plenty of moisture on the field and its still very cold. Wishful thinking from the Waratahs. Ben Smith and Luke Whitelock with Lima Sopoaga back in the starting team will make a big difference, especially that Ben Smith would equal Anton Oliver's record of 127 appearances for the Highlanders. No doubt they'll like to celebrate that.
Machooka
Roar Guru
We're coming for youse guys... and in your house! Yeah baby it's zoo visiting time but no feeding the animals... and then it's a degustation of deconstructed reconstructed Chef stuff the following w'end. Might even fit in a wee bit of Queenstown fun in between. Pure fun!
Gavin
Guest
Bit ironic. For all of their poor play the Waratahs are still in with a chance to play in the finals by finishing on top of the Australian conference. They need to win this weekend to (1) improve their chances of topping the conference and (2) show that it won't be a waste of time should they make the finals. There has been times when their play has been literally dismal.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Where are you getting your stats from? 26 missed tackles last weekend. Not great, but not 40! And I think Foley is due a little credit. His clearance kicks have improved this year I feel. Still a overall weakness for the side, but an improvement on 2015.
cuw
Guest
yep, those who were jumping up and down looking at the scoreboard shud have realized that this is not cricket and the NSW team leaked i think 3 trys to a team that has scored the least number of trys this season !!! who knows what may have happened with a ref with stereo vision ......
cuw
Guest
maybe the ball will not go so much forwards so much often , under the roof :) and ref will have a better view i guess, becoz roof is closed. :P
jameswm
Roar Guru
The Tahs put some beautiful passages of play together, quality catch pass stuff. I reckon Mick Byrne's influence. Having said that, putting good passages of play together hasn't been their issue/ It's been playing for 80 minutes, and discipline. We're a chance of course, but the locals would be heavy favourites.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
To have even a remote chance of success the Tahs will need to correct their undisciplined play to reduce penalties, rid themselves of the unforced errors, make first up tackles (40 missed tackles last weekend), kick accurately and with purpose. Love to see them win but I feel this will be a bridge too far.