Starting faster and defending better are key goals for the NSW Waratahs as they enter the new Super Rugby season determined to put pride back in their jersey and home record.
The Tahs start their campaign on Saturday at home to South Africa’s Stormers, who won their opening game against the Jaguares last week.
The new-look squad and coach Daryl Gibson will be under plenty of scrutiny with NSW failing to make the finals for the past two years.
Too often last year they were in chase mode after conceding a rush of early points.
“We spoke all pre-season about working hard and working for each other and restoring the pride in the NSW jersey that maybe lacked a little bit in the last couple of seasons,” five-eighth Bernard Foley said.
“We don’t expect everything to gel straight away, we don’t expect the perfect 80-minute game but if we can show the right intent throughout the whole game then we should be in good stead.
“Last year probably our starts let us down and defensively, so that’s been a focus for us.
“We want to start with some great intensity and then try and maintain that throughout the whole game.”
NSW are intent on turning around their home ground issues after winning just two of seven games last year and going 4-4 the previous season.
“When we’ve had good seasons here, we’ve made this a real hostile ground for oppositions and I think that’s what we have to go back to, we have to try and make this a formidable ground for us,” Foley said.
While anticipating physical setpiece play and and rush defence from the Stormers and a speedy back three, Foley was impressed by their 19-year-old rookie five-eighth Damian Willemse.
“He’s been really good, he’s not afraid to chance his hand and run from deep and he’s got a really good strong skill set,”” Foley said.
“They defend up in your face, they try and defend the width of the field and make you try and do something different, so we’ve spoken about different tactics.”
A smart kicking game is sure to be one option for a Tahs team featuring four debutants in Wallabies Rob Simmons and Curtis Rona, former Brumbies lock Tom Staniforth and ex-Rebels centre Lalakai Foketi.
Saturday will mark the first time Foley has played a Tahs season opener for three years.
BeastieBoy
Guest
Marto, Barto and Farto and every other impeded rugby commentator that follows the company line to get fed ...what has changed?
stagman
Guest
The ARU and NSW back room boys have stuffed up Aussie rugby last already and after watching the rubbish that the Rebels, Reds and Brumbies showed in week one nothings changed!!!! Aussie rugby is still sht!
Ed
Guest
They are "clear favourites" according to the SMH's preview today. And from the SMH earlier this week: "Captain Michael Hooper and lock Rob Simmons are expected to lead from the front as the most experienced players by some way, while Hanigan and seasoned front row operators Tom Robertson, Paddy Ryan and Damian Fitzpatrick will also have much to offer." I will give Hooper busts his guts for whichever team he plays for. It was a pity many of his teammates in blue last year didn't appear to care as much. Do the two SMH reporters feel they have to write almost propaganda for the Tahs to retain their access?
Malo
Guest
The Randwick connection. Robertson and Hanigan have to be the two biggest comedy acts to put on a wallaby jersey. They will get to 100 tests.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yep - this looks like probably the worst Waratahs pack I have seen in all my years of supporting the side. The fact I'd consider taking Baxter and Dunning over Ryan and Robertson really says it all. The quality of the pack after Hooper and Simmons really drops away. And Simmons isn't the lock you can build play off - he is the set piece and defensive support guy. Was reading some of the quotes from a Ned Hanigan interview - he was talking about winning collisions and "napalming everything" I think someone has been blowing smoke up his @*$3 for him to think that is really part of his game. He needs to develop the strength to be able to deliver that - so it is a great aspirational goal but the interview I was reading implied he thinks it is already part of his play. Will be tuning in this arvo hoping they can put some egg on my face
Malo
Guest
No Poteiger no glory
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
It looks like the agony for me and other Tah fans is all set to continue. Its great to be as fit as a fiddle and have a back line of Tahs, but if we dont get our hands on enough clean ball........... Gibbo seems to have taken his eye of the ball when it came to recruiting serious beef for our forwards.
Stu B
Guest
Put pride back in the jersey? thats easy , do what you are paid to do, play rugby to a super rugby standard.If not sure what this is watch the Highlanders v Blues season opener.
Ray
Guest
Just love the opening line, ''Starting faster and defending better are key goals for the NSW Waratahs'' - are they not elementary skills that go without saying?
John R
Guest
Marto, haven’t had a chance to read, but saw the headline and thought of you xx