The NSW Waratahs are training the house down and aiming high as they strive to bounce back from their worst season in a decade by winning the 2018 Super Rugby title.
“You always want to be the best. I don’t think you can set a goal less than winning the comp. It’s what we all want to do so,” fullback-winger Cameron Clark said.
The Tahs endured a dismal 2017 campaign, finishing 16th in the old 18-team competition with just three wins from 15 matches.
But the 2014 champions do have history of swiftly turning around their fortunes, making the final in 2008 after finishing second-last the previous season with only three wins.
The return of midfield maestro Kurtley Beale from his stint in the English Premiership will help, as will the addition of Wallabies second-rower Rob Simmons.
Beale and the former Queensland Reds star were among the NSW Waratahs contingent on the Wallabies’ spring tour of Britain who aren’t due back at Waratahs training until after Christmas.
As for the rest, Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has been flogging them on the training paddock ahead of the side’s first trial match on February 2 against the Highlanders in Queenstown.
“There’s been a lot of fitness (work) because the way we want to play in 2018 we need to be fit, fitter than this year,” said hooker Tolu Latu.
“So a lot of skills (work) under fatigue, working after our sets of running and conditioning blocks.
“So it’s been a tough. A lot of running for the boys.”
Clark, one of the Tahs’ better performers this year, says the new faces in Gibson’s squad have already added an edge.
“It’s only been a couple of days but they’re definitely bringing that new level of excitement,” he said.
“Fresh faces are always good for the squad and everyone’s really embracing them.
“They’re getting stuck in as well as the old boys so it’s great to have some new guys around.
“We’re setting ourselves high standards and hopefully we keep to those throughout the year and we end up at the top at the end.”
cinque
Roar Rookie
Okay, I'll have a go Machooka could maybe do an article like Fionn's Brumby one. Anyway, wikipedia told me who is in and out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2017%E2%80%9318_Super_Rugby_transfers#Waratahs Maybe that is correct. Players who were found wanting at test level - Robertson, Hanigan, - may still turn into decent SR players. Of the four teams, the Tahs have the fewest changes, so there is some advantage in continuity, bedding down. Pack first. Set pieces will be okay but concerns after that. Props Ryan might have learned to scrum, Robertson might have bulked up a bit. Will need Kepu back but should hold up okay. Vui a prospect, with a name to live up to. Hookers If Gibson's team is pushing them hard, maybe Latu is finally up to speed. Roach has energy Locks Simmons not the greatest buy but the lineout needed something. #5 is a worry, maybe Staniforth, or hope Nick Palmer has picked up in his time across the ditch. Back row Holloway okay, Wells too, but neither tough enough. Hanigan okay for the bench as a 5/6 hybrid, though if Dempsey is really out for a long time, that is a big worry. Hooper is Hooper. Backs have potential, though a centre short Halves Phipps and Foley have time together. Phipps is a decent SR player. His service is fast though inaccurate. Gordon has nice turn of pace, hope he starts more often than not. Hegarty and Mason don't impress me much Centres Beale is Beale. Foketi another BOPper. Some of these U20 Reps must come good eventually. Why not him? WIngs Naiyaravoro a game-breaker. Bigger plus in attack than minus in defence. Clark and Kellaway are triers. Folau is Folau Someone please correct and/or flesh this out. I note the Tahs are "moving" to UNSW. Can they get any further East?
JP
Guest
You forgot Phipps and Foley is rubbish.
Riddler
Guest
If u have been following rugby for a while.. This happens every season.. The guys under dwyer and matt Williams said the same stuff.. What else are they meant to say.. This ia massively different to aac and his elk who were trying to get the most interviews for their profile and earnings.. It is just a comment that all teams make every season before it starts.. In every sport. . Some people just love to nit pick..
ethan
Guest
The actual quote by the journo I was referring to PeterK is this, "The NSW Waratahs are training the house down." Do you not remember Michael Hooper being excited about how well they were training previously with poor results?
cuw
Guest
ditto that for many the aim is to achieve their personal best - especially in individual events. if we take BOLT as an eg. for many years a lot of guys ran for the silver. same when PHELPS was at his best. this is slightly different in team games but still there are the haves and the have-nots. in a long drawn out tournament , many have hopes of pulling off an upset and a surprise , but only a handful can think of winning. and in many games time also makes a difference. not many keep on winning year after year. staying at the top is hard in team games especially over a long period. only a few have achieved that - like NZ rugger and USA bb and maybe Russian ice hockey :)
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Hey Peterk I dunno, many years ago I read a great book on sports psychology. One of the first things that the author pointed out is that in any sporting contest the number of competitors / teams that actually have a chance of winning is pretty low. Maybe two or three. So for most of the competitors realistic goals might be to achieve a personal best, or make the finals or semis / quarters. Sportsbet have the Sunwolves at $501 next season I think if those players seriously have the goal of winning the comp they are delusional.
MitchO
Guest
I am not a fan of the Warratahs but Kepu, Hooper, Simmons, Folau, Beale and Foley are all worthy of the Wallabies 23 and Dempsey did okay when selected. From the Tahs it is only Hanigan and Robertson that have not performed as required having being selected several seasons in advance of them being ready. Korobeiti was questionable in my mind but answered the question by proving himself up to it. Speight remains questionable. Why bother to have him in bench. But at least his super rugby form was pretty good.
PeterK
Roar Guru
fake it until you make it!
graymatter
Roar Rookie
It wont matter how well they train or indeed perform. As long as Chieka and the ARU establishment remain in place they will maintain their majority holding on Wallabies jumpers. So I don't even know why they are bothering to come out with propaganda such as this? We all know the rub of the green. The only joy we skeptics are likely to experience is watching the other franchises belt them on the paddock in the Super 15. Can't wait to give it to the silver-tails!
piru
Roar Rookie
Yes those poor put upon Waratahs, neglected by all and never selected as Wallabies. Suck it up folks, this comes with being anointed as the be all and end all of Australian rugby
Phil
Guest
Yes,mailman,I guess the usual suspects expect Tahs players to come out and say,yeh we are trying to go one spot higher than last season! What will happen when the Reds,Rebels,Brumbies talk about their prospects?Will all these same astute commentators on the game complain how they are talking themselves up?A bit like Reds supporters did at the start of 2017 and we know what happened there.
jeznez
Roar Guru
That is what is scary - they were apparently awesome trainers last year and seemingly stepping up the training a notch this year!
mailman
Guest
Wow, the season hasn't even started and already the toxicity is going through the roof- merry xmas all
piru
Roar Rookie
http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2017/12/06/indo-pacific-rugby-championship-rugby-australia-update
PeterK
Roar Guru
Gibson is such a poor coach. Very poor at recruitment , especially his o/s marquee players. Poor at tactics, has no idea how to adapt or move to new tactics.
PeterK
Roar Guru
well if the beat the sunwolves they won't finish last in the conference, I expect a bottom 2 or 3 in the comp for the tahs. Worst oz team , they may be better than the bulls but don't get to play them next year. So they will lose against all nz and sa teams.
PeterK
Roar Guru
cmon - read the actual quote not the journo. So the players have a goal of winning the comp. I think every player in every team would have that goal. Totally different if they comments were talking about a good chance to , or even a good chance to make the semis or win the conference.
Tissot Time
Guest
Tah hype Groundhog Day date change? I'm confused it's out before Christmas!
Bill
Guest
Hey Darren can you write a followup piece in a few weeks as one of the quotes is " It's only been a couple of days". I'm thinking that perhaps after a few weeks the wheels may have fallen off at training and they won't be quite as good. Seriously i think Cron will improve the forwards immensely if his work with Norths is any indication.
Jock Cornet
Guest
Tahs don't represent Sydney no more, they are the elite that don't mix with the grassroots.