Rugby’s a tough game. Stop playing well for a few minutes, and you risk letting a match slip away.
That’s what happened last Saturday against the Crusaders. Our first 30 minutes in Christchurch was great. We were playing really good footy against a really good side, but then just stopped for a short time and let them back into the game.
The biggest focus this week is going to be rectifying that ten-minute period before halftime, when the team just stopped playing.
There wasn’t any particular reason for that – we just stopped. There are flows through the game and a little bit of lost focus cost us. That’s something we’ll improve through the rest of the season.
Being back at home is something to look forward to – playing in front of local fans is always a highlight.
That said, it’s not always the difference between winning and losing. You play on the same sized field every week, but it’s nice to be back home this week.
Just like we’re working on being more consistent and playing the full 80 minutes as a team, that’s something I’m training to improve in my own game; ironing out the little kinks which appear a couple of times a match.
The step up to Super Rugby level is a big one, so working on things like my tackling and ball-running is important. While my off-the-ball game is probably my main strength, I do like to get my hand on the ball and go for a run, and that’s something I need to get better at.
It’s been a busy last year for me. I had a stint with the Rebels in 2017, which is hard to compare to the environment up here with the Tahs. I think I was a little bit homesick down there, and it was pretty tough compared to here.
I still miss home – which for me is Berry in country New South Wales – but I can go back once a week on a day off. I don’t miss the driving sessions I used to do when I was still living down there last year. It was exhausting.
But now it’s great to have signed a contract extension with the Waratahs. It’s the club I have always wanted to be a part of, and it’s exciting to play for another year and help the side be as successful as possible.
There are plenty of guys the squad to learn from, and one player worth mentioning in particular is Michael Hooper. He’s someone that doesn’t put a foot wrong, so it’s good to watch him and pick his brain every now and then.
He’s obviously an exceptional player and I get to train against and with him to help me become a better player. To play and learn from the best seven in Australia is a pretty good experience for my rugby.
Michael’s renowned as a relentless player on the field, and that’s what he’s like when you go up against him on the training paddock. He doesn’t stop, he just keeps going, and he wants to win all the time, so it’s an excellent attitude to have for the team.
As a whole, the team is feeling really good at the moment. We might have had a few losses recently, but the start of season was strong and everyone knows we’re close to playing good footy. An extra five or ten per cent on the field and the results will take care of themselves.
As for this week against the Highlanders, the team is confident. We’re confident every time we go into a game no matter who we’re up against. But with the results the last two weeks the boys are really up for it.
The Waratahs will go up against the Highlanders 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 home ticket and get down to Allianz Stadium to enjoy all the action.
Andrew
Roar Guru
What on earth are you on about? There is nothing unique about these insights. Where have I said I want them to be critical of coaches or teammates? I just want something a bit more in-depth than "the boys have trained well and we want to win".
Malo
Guest
How do you guys get paid more than the kiwis. 40-zip
Charlie
Guest
Hi Will... I’m a massive fan, and I think you be McCaw-esque if you stick with it and crack the Wallabies. Aim high mate and use your brains, stay humble and work hard. (Oh and get Cron coaching the Wallabies!)
ThugbyFan
Guest
G'day Will, was a tough game last week and yeah, to lose from 29-zip is a b^ll breaker. Hope all the wounded are firing and ready for the Higlanders. If I remember Will, you came off just before the Crusaders' 2nd try. Must have been tough, watching all the Tahs going down injured while them rabid Kiwis (and a couple of aussies) kept pounding into the last ones standing. What impressed me about the last match wasn't the 29-0 crazy start but how the Tahs, with so many blokes off wounded and the rest hurting like hell, fronted up and kept the Crusaders to 2 tries only in the 2nd half. Yep they lose, but I suspect the Crusaders will think it was a lucky escape. B.Foley puts one of those late penalties over and they were back in front. Will, for gawd's sake, front into head office and tell them you blokes want a quality mongrel lock into the squad. And a tackle bag for a few of your back-liners. Anyways good luck for the season and thanks for the article.
JP Bogers
Roar Rookie
As a Saders supporter (my home town but Sydney is where I am) Will ya had the game at half time... Did the team switch off? The Crusaders lost a heap of games before they thought we're letting the fans/supporters down... Ya know the people that buy tickets. ONE game can change how a team thinks and plays... I beg OZ teams to get it sorted
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Piru, nail meet head. Saders kicked for him to run onto and got burnt, not sure what the actual intention was there, but after they stopped, he didn't go looking for work. It is interesting to contrast that to Ben Smith, who knows when and where to inject himself. That seems to be missing from a lot of Folau's play.
Wal
Roar Guru
It that inherent knowledge of the game isn't it. Picking your moments to inject yourself. Lomu used to fade in and out of matches earlier in his career until he learnt when and where to go looking for work. Ben Smith and Isreal Dagg are masters at it, popping up just at the right moment either in attack or in Smiths case defence. Australia's best at fullback would have to have been was probably Latham he was infuriating to watch as an opposition supporter, pace to exploit a gap but more importantly awareness of where gaps were going to open up. Beale the best of the current crop in attack but a bit deficient in defence.
piru
Roar Rookie
My feeling is he's great with the ball and when the game is coming to him, but isn't sure what to do or where to be when it isn't.
Lano
Roar Guru
Andrew, the article is personal and interesting, and while we all appreciate Will penning his thoughts, the fact remains the Tahs had no Plan B for the Crusaders change of tactics, lack on-field nous and no leadership. Will, I'd like to see you turn your mind to these deficits. And, no-one in their right mind believes '
'an extra five or ten per cent on the field and the results will take care of themselves.'' You have to stop listening to and repeating cliched banalities.You may well have great training runs, but mate you're losing more than you're winning. What are you going to do about that?rugger
Guest
And yes forgot to mention you are playing well. Not so much Foley who cannot kick for touch or goals even if his life depended on it. Needs to be sacked and Mac Mason given go.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Cheers Will, I hope this message finds you well. You're a tough nut and your impact far exceeds your limited stature. It has being a treat watching you in the sky blue and long may it continue.
rugger
Guest
More like Crusaders were out of sorts for first hour. If you cannot win 29 zip I would not to talking too much. Its about as bad as it could get.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
If you don't like it, don't read it! It's obvious that this is a Waratahs PR initiative to have something like 1 player a month make a contribution, but does that matter? At least they are looking to engage with the fan base and it may not be Tolstoy, but there is a unique insight being offered to the fans. If your expecting anything more than a personal account in the positive about the club then you might as well skip past these articles and move onto something else. You expect them to be critical of the coach or teammates? if it's not people like you whinging about these stories lacking gritty substance and critique, then it's someone else whinging about the Ivory Tower Waratahs who dare not mix with the great unwashed. At least they are engaging with the fanbase more and in more varied ways.
bluesfan
Guest
Yip According to some people Beale, Foley and Folau would not even make the Crusaders bench - very average players - as they displayed last Saturday night.
Ozinsa
Guest
I really appreciate that the players take the time to write here but it’s difficult for them to be totally honest. Of course they have to deliver a positive take on things and when they’re losing that will smack of corporate speak. I’d rather they write something than nothing though
Kiwikrs
Guest
And Phipps Strange how it is only Tahs though. Do no other clubs have access to email?
The Saint
Roar Guru
Good luck for the rest of the season.
Andrew
Roar Guru
This comment has been removed for breaching The Roar's comments policy.
Faith
Guest
And the wins ...
Faith
Guest
At least they can string the passes and the phases ...