Injuries are one of the more frustrating parts of playing professional sport, but they do provide a silver lining.
Sitting on the sideline provides a different perspective of the game, allowing you to take in more of the big picture and really soak up the atmosphere. Even for someone like me – I’m a bit of an emotional and nervous watcher – it does let you provide some advice to the boys after games, to help them pick up on things they’re probably too in the moment to really notice during play.
With Buckley’s chance of playing this round, that’s something I’ll be doing for another match, although with the bye coming up, I should be back on the field for our next game against the Brumbies.
This week, though, we’re up against the Rebels, who are the premiere Australian rugby side at the moment.
You look at their team, and there are threats right across the field – the danger isn’t limited to any one position or group of players. They’ve got an exceptionally strong forward pack, and their outside backs – guys like Dane Haylett-Petty and Marika Koroibete in particular – are always getting touches, always coming in and looking for opportunities rather than waiting for the ball out on the wing.
Identifying an area of weakness is tricky, but one worth mentioning is that they’re such a new team, having just been thrown together this year. While they’ve had the pick of the crop from two Super Rugby teams, combining two cultures is something that would’ve been a huge undertaking.
From a personal perspective, it would be great to chat to a few boys about how they’ve done that, because they’ve obviously done it in an effective way to be able to play some great footy so soon.
The key against that side will be stopping them from breaking over the advantage line. Our boys will need to aim up and make sure all the big collisions occur behind the ad-line. Winning that part of the contest should flow on to some turnover ball, and ideally provide a significant advantage in the long-term arm-wrestle of the match.
Our forwards need to be able to aim up in that area, but while there’s no bigger challenge for them this weekend, we have absolute confidence they’ll be able to do that job – just look at the way our young pack stood up in Round 1. There’s nothing like playing in front of a home crowd against a team that’s keen to get the win over us, and if our forwards get that underdog status in their mind, they’ll be able to play well.
Now, we can’t talk about this game without mentioning the last, where we obviously had a really poor start against the Jaguares.
The key to avoiding that this week is confidence; staying focused on the task at hand, and knowing we have the ability to play our game well and get the desired result.
There’s no point in looking too far into the future and worrying about the number of wins and losses. The boys need to make sure we’re focused completely on this weekend, and if they can, the results will speak for themselves.
We’ve just got to make sure our boys have the confidence to bounce back against a few lucky breaks for the opposition and move forward.
This side is certainly capable of that – I couldn’t have more confidence in the boys’ ability to score points and defend well in areas of the game. We’ll just make sure that we’re aiming up this weekend, tenfold.
There’s no better footy than a Sunday arvo game and the boys are hurting after last weekend, so you know they’re going to stand up this match.
The Waratahs will go up against the undefeated Melbourne Rebels this weekend in what promises to be a blockbuster of a Super Rugby encounter, so be sure to grab a NSW Waratahs membership and get down to Allianz Stadium to enjoy all the Sunday afternoon action.
ThugbyFab
Guest
Well after all the hand wringing, despondency after the Jaguares game and some posters putting in real snide remarks that just don't belong on the forum, Nick Phipps showed we are all mugs as the Tahs cleaned up the Rebels in the heat of Sydney. I went to the match expecting a slaughter and in the first half the Rebels big forward pack were using the Tahs as trampoline practice. Things looked as crook as Rookwood at half time, 10-20 and 1 try to 3. The 2nd half, maybe it was the heat (Sydney had a fierce HOT wind from the west all afternoon), but the Rebels forwards visibly slowed down after the 45th minute. Obviously the half time speech pointed the Tahs to playing to their strengths, attacking the Rebels's outside backs who seemed to panic at the pace. The Tahs were brilliant and made all of us keyboard critics eat dust. I have never seen R.Hodge miss so many tackles and look so headless. He likely played himself out of the #12 position for the WB. Am chuffed for the Tahs, even if they ruined my perfect score in the tipping contest. LoL
PiratesRugby
Guest
You're not reassured by the speed and athleticism of Hooper and Hanigan? The Tahs have shown tremendous resilience this season in the face of a serious shortage of manpower. They will be very dangerous at home. This will make it all the more satisfying if the Rebels can crush them into dust.
Go the wannabes
Guest
Comment of the season already.......
Realist
Guest
Sorry Nic Phipps but you and your mate Dean Mumm are merely a symbol of the corrupt and broken administration which is Rugby Australia (should be called Sydney Australia). If you truly want to serve Australian Rugby, you should retire (like your mate Mumm had to do) as the halfwitted coach won’t stop picking you and you’ve already done enough damage with your woeful passing game. Many of us will never forget how poor you were during the embarrassing whitewash to England on Australian shores. I respect your tenancity and desire to compete but your shortcoming far outweigh your strengths and there has been no evidence of improvement in your game for years.
Comrade Bear
Roar Rookie
Top read thanks mate! Keep up the good work and rehab!
Malo
Guest
But rich
MARTO
Guest
^ Cheika already has his Wallaby team locked in by January 31st..
RobC
Roar Guru
Yes. If you wont follow this plan: - you will suck - then you will sink
Harry Jones
Expert
Succinct plan
old One Eye
Guest
At the moment I wouldn't limit your concerns to the second row pairing, I think the whole tight five is below standard. Without Kepu and Simmonds fit, the cupboard is really bare and any decent big NSW bodies seem to be finding homes everywhere except the Tahs. Whoever is in charge of recruiting has really neglected this aspect of the team.
scubasteve
Guest
Nick, thanks for the article. Way to build your brand, followers and represent the Tah's. I too think the ^^ above would be awesome to hear. From an outsider looking at last weeks game it seemed the travel had the Tah's just that one beat off the mark. I think it was the same last year. As the Jags get better each year what can be done to get that spring on that long trip. It also begs the comment that perhaps the South Africans also experience away games hard (note going back in the other direction seems to be easier). When I travel over to the US east coast I find it takes three days to get it right and the stomach really suffers. We know the gut effects the emotions. Apart from plenty of time to get there early I am not sure there is a solid solution.
piru
Roar Rookie
Don I think I like that one better, much pithier
MARTO
Guest
" In the words of Nick Phipps`s Doyen and Spiritual leader Greg Clarke " Folau, Folau, ISRAEL FOLAU !!!!!!!! ( FYI, Nick, a Doyen is the senior member of a body, class or profession.)
Brenton
Guest
Interesting read. Very good use of all the rugby cliches.
Fin
Guest
you're a known trouble maker Marto, he's hasn't earnt his stripes yet.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Yeah, needing to muscle up and actually being able to do it, are two very different things... still, on the night, they might gather the fortitude to get the job done. I tipped the Rebels, because the Tahs are well down this year on anything decent. They might switch on though...
bluffboy
Guest
I can wait to see a running maul......
rl
Guest
I second that emotion.
bluffboy
Guest
Thanks Nick A very general plan though, I would have thought that was plan for every team/game. To name the article "How the Tahs can become the first team to beat the Rebels", I was expecting somethings tailored just for Rebels. Your thoughts on their weaknesses, where the Tahs can make real inroads would have been interesting. Would say the 10 channel is where you would attach or how the Tahs will combat the rebels rush or chip and chase maybe the rucks because of mobility..... Sure you cant give us to much detail, but it would have given the Tah supporters something to look for instead of the chilli bin.......
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks Nick. Welcome to the roar The best way to beat the Rebs, is to replace your coach. In any case, good luck this weekend!!!