SANZAAR has done its best to stuff up the Super Rugby tournament over the last three years, but the governing body has surpassed itself in the stupidity stakes with the Waratahs’ first seven weeks.
The travel schedule is not only insane, it borders on being physically and mentally dangerous. In order, the Waratahs will play in:
- Sydney against the Stormers;
- Durban against Sharks;
- Buenos Aires against Jaguares;
- Sydney against Rebels before a bye round;
- Canberra against the Brumbies; and
- Tokyo against the Sunwolves.
The flying times are as follows:
- Sydney to Durban: 13 hours 38 minutes;
- Durban to Buenos Aires: 17 hours and 35 minutes;
- Buenos Aires to Sydney: 15 hours 50 minutes;
- Sydney to Canberra and back: 1 hour and 36 minutes; and
- Sydney to Tokyo and back: 19 hours and 10 minutes.
That’s a tick under 68 hours in the air, not including the time to and from airports, training sessions and – in case SANZAAR had forgotten – 480 minutes of elite rugby.
The 68 hours in the air is the equivalent of flying Sydney to London and return and then jumping on another plane back to London.
Nobody in their right mind would schedule such a draconian itinerary as a passenger, let alone to train for and play rugby as well. Any passenger who did would be helped into a straitjacket.
(AAP Image/Craig Golding)
Did SANZAAR double check the Waratahs itinerary? Obviously not.
The pressure will mount on Waratahs skipper Michael Hooper to overcome SANZAAR’s stupidity, because if the Waratahs aren’t on top of the Australian conference after seven weeks, their season will be in tatters. Again.
It’s a huge ask, but coach Daryl Gibson can relieve some of that pressure by making Kurtley Beale vice-captain. His return will be paramount not only to the team but to Israel Folau as well.
The champion fullback sorely missed his playmaking partner during last season’s Super Rugby, but that’s all in the past.
Lock Rob Simmons’ surprise switch from the Reds to the Tahs will be another bonus to support Sekope Kepu, Paddy Ryan, Jack Dempsey, Ned Hanigan and Hooper up front.
(Jason O’Brien/Getty Images)
No doubt coach Gibson will start the tournament with Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley as the pivots, providing they are fit. But it won’t take long before 24-year-old Jake Gordon and 22-year-old Mack Mason are not only first-choice pivots but hold their positions for the long term.
If Gibson has a problem, it’s a third of the 39-strong Waratah squad that wouldn’t have played ten Super games – in fact, seven of the 13 are Super Rugby debutants.
It’s a long and demanding season made even more draconian for the Waratahs by SANZAAR.
The Waratahs chances will depend heavily on Michael Hooper, Kurtley Beale, Sekope Kepu, and Israel Folau.
Bring it on, and stuff SANZAAR.
GusTee
Roar Pro
We are just resting, Mate!
christos sintos
Roar Rookie
yes it does! unfortunately I can confirm!
John R
Roar Guru
Whoa whoa whoaaaa. Easy there tiger.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
Censorship happens a bit here.
Ex force fan
Guest
The worst draw was always reserved for the Force, Sunwolves or UAR. Great to see the Tahs get some bad scheduling for a change. By the way the Force would have been delighted with that draw.
Tim Rogers
Roar Rookie
Agree Piru! Although the force will be the least travelled team this year ?
robbo999
Guest
Roar - why did you take down David Lord's totally inappropriate comments about Kurtley Beale and his text delivered assault of a female ARU employee, without publicly acknowledging how inappropriate DL's comments were?
GusTee
Roar Pro
David, I always enjoy your writing. I am not having a go at you - but thank you for the opportunity to get the following off my chest. Your concerns about the Tahs are valid. But I do have an answer. Perhaps RA can hire the now between engagements "Pulveriser" on a short contract. Sort of like a "Gits Law" for has been CEOs. The P can re-run some finest speeches such as: “No chance in the world that there will not be a
Western ForceTahs." “We are 150 per cent committed to the franchises that we have. The future development of rugby, unquestionably in my mind, will involve thePerthSydney team. “The [five] four franchises are non-negotiable. I don’t think I can make that any clearer. It is crystal clear in my mind there will always befivefour franchises.” Then when your Tahs prophesy manifests itself, they can be chopped with impunity and all the "savings" can be poured into the grassroots of the game in Victoria. Bugger, I hope that I am not guilty of plagiarism. LOLEtepeus
Roar Rookie
Beales defense in poor and he plays to much for himself - enough of a go - have a crack
Etepeus
Roar Rookie
Excuses before a game is even played - poor NSW - but does explain the Jauguers first loss - it was the travel not there poor first half. Stop complaining, start winning
Fionn
Guest
TWAS, you're probably the biggest Hooper fan on this site.
piru
Roar Rookie
I always find it funny when the AFL sides talk about the tough trip west - forgetting that the Eagles and Dockers do it every second week. I mean, the Melbourne sides could sleep in their own beds most of the season!
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Dave, no arguments Tahs have a tough opening to the season, but to put things in perspective, did you ever notice (or write one single word) about what the Sunwolves had to go through the first two years? Any idea how many miles they had to fly? Have you paid attention to the fact that Sanzaar still forces Sunwolves to play home games away from Tokyo? (Singapore and Hong Kong this season, it used to be three games in Singapore) Just saying, if you gonna bash Sanzaar, maybe look in more than one direction...
Bib
Guest
Are you drunk?
Nicolai
Guest
MMMM!!!!! I can't remember the FORCE or Sunwolves or Jaguares complaining in the past about a similar schedule!!!! So harden up cupcakes aka Tahs!!! From a REBELS Member.
Taylorman
Guest
Don’t think it’s that hard a draw myself. None of the sides have ever won this bar the Brumbies nearly two decades ago. Two are the bottom dwellers and none are likely winners of the comp. I mean which is tougher? The matches or the travel? Tahs have a good chance of putting some good points on the board early. Have a look around, other draws have similar travel and much tougher matches. Harden up I say, it hasn’t even started! Can’t start off worrying about things like the amount of leg room.?
Loving the schedule!
Guest
Loving the schedule because: 1) The Tahs must travel to SA who will are under immense pressure to perform due to the National Rugby problem that is their Springboks. 2) The Tahs will fall short of achieving 5 wins from their first 8 games and thus Kiwi Gibson will be gone! 3) Folau will lose interest after being shut out with clever defensive kicking...actually, make that all the Wallaby Waratahs. They'll simply rest up for their gifted spots come June. 4) the media will continue to probe for excuses and Cheika will throw every coaching connection and support he has at them while neglecting the Brumbies, Reds and Rebels. Australian rugby is a lot more to do than the Waratahs!
Overhyped
Guest
Waratahs crumble, not under a travel schedule, but stupidly high expectations and hype by ARU (cough RA). I hope the Tahs get slaughtered! Frankly, I'm sick of seeing underperforming Tahs gifted a jersey come Test match time. Knock the pedestal out from underneath them and let them earn a spot in the finals instead of people just expecting them to make it, and instead, throw some support behind the other three Aussie franchises!
Jock
Guest
It ain't a waratahs fan site and you knowingly make yourself (and the tahs) a target by whingeing about this David so suck it up
Fox
Roar Guru
Nice TWAS - that made mate cheers :)