Outsiders always think that we have internal competition for Wallabies spots in a team like the Waratahs.
I don’t see that at all.
The Wallabies tests against Ireland are eight weeks away and if your team’s going well then the majority of your players going to get in the national squad.
I’m sure the Waratahs will be rewarded with a lot of our guys gaining Wallabies selection if the rest of our season is successful.
I’ve been lucky enough to have 18 Wallaby caps in my career and I’d love to add to that tally but at this stage it’s well and truly Super Rugby as a focus which starts on Friday against the Lions at Allianz Stadium.
The Lions are on top of the South African conference at the moment so they’re the team to beat.
They’ve got a lot of Springbok representatives and they possess a big forward pack.
They’re just a typical tough South African side.
They’re big in the set piece and their big hard ball carriers will try and get over the gain line and we’ll need to be aware of their speedsters sneaking behind.
Our forwards will have the big task at the set-piece and around the field to match their physicality, but I’m sure our backs can do a job on them.
This game against the Lions is extra special as it’s part of an Anzac round.
We don’t get to play on Anzac Day itself but we’re paying tribute to all those men and women who have served for our country in this match.
We’ve got a lot of people in the squad with Anzac history in their families so none of us are taking the occasion lightly.
Both my grandfather and my great-grandfather were ANZACs and one of them served in New Guinea in communications and the other was in the Light Horse Brigade in Africa so it’s a pretty big family history of mine and it’s something we’re all very proud of.
(ALEJANDRO PAGNI/AFP/Getty Images)
We’re coming off a massive win against our old foes in the Queensland Reds and it was amazing to play on the SCG for the first time since the 80s in our heritage jerseys.
It was a solid performance against the Reds but we still have a few things to work on.
We spoke about it last year how we weren’t happy with our performances and how we were going as a team and I think a lot of small changes have been put in place to make the club culture a lot better and make our training environment and playing environment a lot better as well.
Obviously, we had a new coach and new staff come in.
Our strength and conditioning coach and our forwards coach Simon Cron are doing excellent jobs at the moment as well so they’re definitely part of our success as well this year.
If we take the foot off the accelerator, we’ll get beaten and so the coaching staff have made sure all our focus is being put into the preparation for another huge home game.
We play better when there are big crowds and it’s an incredible feeling when someone like Kurtly Beale makes a chip and chase down the sideline and the crowd erupts. Even as a prop forward when you hear the supporters get excited by that it gets you up for it and gives you more energy and sucks the energy away from the other team.
Even though we have a bye coming up next week, we’re not thinking about that at all.
We do have the kiwi teams on the horizon but the Lions are what we’re focused on and they’re a massive challenge before we even get to that point.
The Waratahs continue their Super Rugby campaign this weekend at home against the Lions, so be sure to get your hands on a NSW Waratahs membership so you can access all home games in 2018.
Harry Jones
Expert
Thanks for taking the time to pen an article, Tom. Q: Which Super Rugby prop do you LEAST like to scrum against?
Jimmy James
Guest
Hi Tom I’m a massive Tahs fan but had my concerns at the start of the season. Thankful those hav been proved wrong. I was thoroughly impressed by how you guys turned up against a big Reds pack and hope you can do the same. It’s not just the headliner that making big contributions, but players look like Fitzpatrick, Miller, Wells and yourself, which I think is making a huge difference. If your taking questions, could explain what Simon Cron has brought to the Tahs forward play?
CJ
Guest
Kepu, Beale, Folau; the team has never been short of some world class talent. Good to see things coming together
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Dunno about second, but they have my respect back, which is a big step. I watched my first ever game at Ballymore, and most of my beloved Force guys are now at the Rebs. It is a difficult sentimental bond to break. The Highlanders make it into third spot and if there are unworthy players in the Australian match day 23, I will festoon a green cap and crack open a Guinness. Until recently, I would barrack for any team that was playing the Tahs. They played like a collection of egos, and that rubs me up the wrong way, my instinct was to go with the underdog. But this year has been different. Some young NRC talent getting a run on merit, a few returns from a tour de Force (Rona, Newsome) and a game plan that involves every member of the team. Tries are scored by the team, anywhere on the field by whoever is in the best position at the time, not just by a select few. An effective kick chase game emerging, it is getting back to how rugby should be played. It is how I would like to see the Wallabies Play.
Cynical Play
Guest
Tahs are your second team though, right?
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
As a "non-Tah's" supporter it has been frustrating to see you guys doing so well. I have been especially frustrated watching the 6 of you front row piggies messing up the breakdown for the opposition. Seeing a sky-blue prop or hooker next on the scene to clean you out when you are defending a kick inside your own 22 must be a daunting prospect and, from what I have seen has been important contribution to the teams success. Back-handed compliments over, it is a game consisting of 23 players in 15 positions and it is clear that you guys are now playing that way, each man a vital cog in a machine bigger than the sum of its parts. Great Work! Your comments on Wallaby selection are spot on, if your SR team is performing well, you should expect a good representation in the squad and the match day 23. I hope this is the case. I also hope that players are selected on merit based on their SR performances this year. I understand that there may be more to it but last year to an outside observer we saw the opposite. The second bottom of the conference Sky blue team picking up the lions share of match day gold jerseys with the other Aussie Franchises getting token squad places and being turned over like commodities in positions that are rarely seen on highlights reel, injured or scape-goated for the teams poor performance. As a wavering Wallabies supporter my expectation is for the selection of the best players from the 5 Aussie teams (Yes, the Force is back and eligible) to represent our country and that they play to the best of their ability. Good luck against the Lions this week, I hope the ball bounces your way and your clean outs are on target.
John R
Roar Guru
Thanks Tom. I reckon this game against the Lions will be a good yardstick for how the Tahs will match up against the Kiwi's. Fingers crossed it's a cracker game.
Ralph
Roar Guru
Well done for making this effort, great to hear how it's going. Good luck.
Morsie
Guest
Like many others my face is very messy with egg. This has been a great turn around and the style of rugby you're playing - and trying to play, has been outstanding. Best of luck with the rest of the season.
Malo
Guest
Your the only team that have the skills to beat the Nz teams. The rest of the oz teams are terrible. Good luck.
jameswm
Guest
Good luck boys. You're exceeding the expectations of many Tah fans like myself, but please continue to smear egg on my face...
Digby
Roar Guru
Thank you Tom, appreciate you taking the time to provide your insight and good luck for the balance of the season and for rep selection.
Reverse Wheel
Guest
Welcome Tom. Enjoying the way the Tahs have been going so far this year after an *ahem* difficult 2017, hope you can keep it up, I'll be out there on Friday night screaming myself hoarse :-)