When you have a result like the Waratahs did in our last game, going scoreless against the Lions, the first thing you want to do is get back out there and play another one.
We reviewed the game openly and looked at where we can improve, and really it’s about having a game plan for the 80 minutes.
We did well for the first 40 against the Lions but then lapsed early on after halftime. We were able to nullify them a bit in the first half but went away from it in the second.
When we did apply pressure, it wasn’t there for long enough, and when we had opportunities – especially in the first quarter of the game – they weren’t taken. If they had been, it might’ve been a different game.
There’s no way around it though – that loss was extremely disappointing for the team and fans. But that’s what the catalyst for change is – we’re going to make sure we don’t play another game like that.
What you want to do is go right back out there to play again and re-write people’s perceptions of the team, but unfortunately because of the bye we haven’t had the opportunity to do that. Instead, there’s another week to mull it all over.
But there are positives. It provides some time to prepare for this upcoming block of games, and it’s a chance to rejuvenate and get the body feeling good.
So far this year there has been a bit of everything – the good, the bad and the average. We want to be a lot more consistent.
Five wins from eight games isn’t a bad position, but the goal was to be eight for eight. We could’ve done better in a few of the games that we’ve probably let slip.
After a disappointing season like 2017, there was a need to really review pretty much every area of the club.
Credit has to go to the coaches and support staff for really honest reviews and changes that have lead to improvement.
Everyone has bought into this new environment. We know that this is the way we want to proceed and that’s what has really changed things around the club, that all the guys have bought in and want to be better.
We’ve got a quality side here. You can feel a good vibe around the squad and it’s exciting to come to work every day with these guys who are trying to push themselves to be the best they can be.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Part of that has been making a big effort to improve our defence. When you’re in sides that are winning games and competitions, defence is what it comes down to.
It probably doesn’t matter as much how many points you score but how many you allow in terms of how your season goes – defence is so vital and there’s a requirement to be able to withstand pressure for long periods of time.
That in itself creates opportunities in attack. As vice-captain of the Waratahs, and one of our leaders in that area alongside Kurtley Beale and Jake Gordon, I take pride in our offence and want to make sure it’s firing.
This week we’re hosting the Blues at Brookvale Oval and it’s a match that gives us the chance not just to make amends for our loss against the Lions but also to potentially snap a long-running streak of Australian sides to New Zealand sides.
Playing at Brookvale is new for us, but going to a suburban ground and having a really tribal sort of atmosphere is really exciting.
That streak of losses against New Zealand sides is something that gets talked about a lot but it doesn’t play on the minds of the team at all.
It’s a funny thing that has happened over the last year and a half, and it’s been disappointing, but it is what it is. We’re choosing to focus on what it is we want to do, and playing a game that makes our fans happy and gives them satisfaction.
The stats and the history don’t come into play, because we’re only one win away from changing it all.
The Waratahs will go up against the Blues this weekend with a chance to break Australia’s long-running Super Rugby drought against trans-Tasman opposition, so be sure to grab a NSW Waratahs membership and get down to Brookvale Oval to enjoy all the action.
Marty
Guest
The lead up to the Blues first try. Folau executes a woeful pass that bounces before getting to Floey on his right. Foley executes a woeful bounce pass to Beale who getts wrapped up and turned over. Basic skills lacking from key test players. No wonder a win against the worst of NZ was just too much to ask.
Marty
Guest
But I sure was right. I sure hope Bernard didn't skip training to work with the PR team on this article. He has a long way to go to make it as a 10 of notable standard.
Joe King
Guest
yuck from and aussie perspective, but I totally understand from a kiwi one. The problem for SR is it has to compromise and nobody gets what they want.
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
We are good at it!!!
John R
Roar Guru
"wtf do they feed them in Nu Zulland" Taro mate! Tonnes of it!
Akari
Guest
Not disagreeing, JR, but it's not hard to assume that the Blues will already have the 'insights' and been working on them all week and likewise with the Tahs. The only difference maybe that the Blues might have a play what's in front of you mantra that Tana Umaga whinged about when the Blues lost the 2nd half against the Jaguares last week.
Akari
Guest
You may not like Chris Rattue or his views but he tells what people don't want to hear mainly. Thanks Faith for drawing my attention to this article.
John R
Roar Guru
Absolutely. But he's not going to give away trade secrets either is he. So how much insight can he provide without giving his opponent a bit of a leg up?
Akari
Guest
It might perhaps be helpful if the engagement reveals an insight or two then, TWAS.
Akari
Guest
Sorry Jack but something is not right when a seasoned international says, "We reviewed the game openly and looked at where we can improve, and really it’s about having a game plan for the 80 minutes.". Really? Is it a new thing for Foley and the Tahs to not know "about having a game plan for the 80 minutes" after how many years of playing club, super and test rugby? And what do they talk about at the break at half time? Or do they do not talk about or review their game plans at the break? Ridiculous.
pk
Guest
Agreed .Sickening
Captain Sensible
Guest
Says the Keyboard Warrior sheeeeeesh. Oh the Irony.So because Nard gets belted by beasts twice his size and gets up again we should accept him as our national 10 ?. He has had two good games in his Wallaby career . Sorry Nard but you are a mistake riddled error prone player.You have to go mate.It`s sensible stuff. Thugby fan how do you know what we have done ?, Huh ?? you seem to be typing with your 3 thumbs with your tongue poking out again. What have you done hero ? How many premier games SR or tests have you played ? Players deserve flak and are not immune from criticism, if they don't perform consistenly good and Bernard hasn't for a long time, he should cop it. If your feelings get hurt THUGBY, you should follow table tennis mate.
jimbo81
Guest
I think your post would make sense if written in 2015 but since then, patience has expired. If you can't do the job, it's time to move on - or work harder to improve. Adopt the Johnny Wilkinson training habit for goal kicking all day every day until misses don't happen. Learn to pass long. Learn to kick from hand in general play. It's the more of the same that upsets fans like me.
jimbo81
Guest
That's the point where I lost all respect. Just a reward for making the Tahs - a Wallaby jersey awaits.
pk
Guest
Bernard what did it feel like getting a walk up start in every Wallaby test in 2016 when you played very average all year ?( You even moved to 12 ) ,yet you were still picked in every test by Michael Chieka. How does that effect team morale ?
ThugbyFan
Guest
The ARU website says 3 Blues players are returning from injury this week. Any idea who the players are? Top shelf or reserves for reserves players? I'm with you Faith, even if the Blues are flogged its just a false dawn. Instead of putting even more pressure on the Tahs players they should just be treating this as another game to be won and that's all. Since their RWC2011 win, the Kiwis have upped the ante in speed and rugby tactics and its almost as if Oz teams have only just woken to that. Until Oz sides play a consistent and smarter game, able to adapt tactics on the fly and go for the whole 80 minutes then we will always be the 2nd shelf. Funny on another Roar article people are pushing for C.Rona to replace T.Kuridrani as the WB #13. Rona was dropped to reserves for this game, replaced by Lalakai Foketi. Droppsy A.Newsome gone replaced by Cam Clark from the Aus7's side and coach D.Gibson has returned Izzy Folau to fullback (watching the Lions game, if I.Folau was on Newsome's wing the Tahs would have been way in front at ½ time). N.Hanigan returns to lock and speedster W.Miller at #6. Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooo the Tahs.
ThugbyFan
Guest
Faith, "Pee Wee" N.Phipps got stripped of the captaincy of Tahs after his bucks party shenanigans the other week.
Muzzo
Guest
Ummm RT, good luck for the weekend, & I'm pretty sure Tana will be fully aware of what this game is about. He's got the cattle, but as you & I know, some have still got their fingers stickpin the wrong place. Even with his injury toll, what is there, is not too bad, when they decide to play. A full 80. Go the Landers.
ThugbyFan
Guest
Jimbo and Capt Sensible, Bernard Foley has played many years at #10 for a top SR Aussie side and has been good enough to be selected multiple times for the WB. He gets belted from pillar to post playing against beasts twice his size yet still gets up week after week and plays again. Like every player on Earth he has faults and limitations but he is still good enough to be selected and is out there on the paddock each week. I think it's fair to say he knows his limitations and trains hard to correct/minimise them. In my eyes he is a true rugby player and deserves all the accolades that come his way. When You and Capt Insensible are playing SR rugby and are Wallabies then feel free to slag Nard off as his equal. It really is an effrontery for you keyboard warriors to attack a player as you engulf another KFC whole chicken in front of your computer and f^rt into the chair for the 70th time this hour. Grow up fellows, play the game and not the man!
ThugbyFan
Guest
wtf do they feed them in Nu Zulland? Those kiwi U20 players look larger units than most Aussie SR players. For the Aussies its going to feel like their U17 side playing against the Chiefs SR side. Loved that 2nd Fiji try, they got flogged by a far better trained unit but they tried their guts out and its likely many of them pleased the French and English scouts on the sidelines. Big pay day/contracts for lots of the Fiji boys soon.