"Our goal is to win the entire competition": Alex Newsome previews the Waratahs' finals campaign

It’s been quite the year for Alex Newsome.

Twelve months ago, he’d enjoyed a strong debut Super Rugby season with the Western Force, only for the side to be cut from the competition. Now, he’s preparing to start for the Australian Conference-topping Waratahs in their first final in three years – coincidentally against the same side which they were unable to beat in the 2015 semi-finals.

Ahead of the Tahs’ must-win quarter-final against the Highlanders tomorrow, we had a chat with Alex to talk the side’s finals chances and his own journey from the Force back to his native New South Wales.

The Roar: The Waratahs are the only Aussie side left in the Super Rugby finals. Is there any added pressure that comes with that?

Alex Newsome: I don’t think so. What it does mean is that we’re representing the whole of Australian rugby now. It would have been great to have more sides in (the finals series) but it doesn’t change the task at hand for us.

It just means that we’re proud to be the sole Australian representatives in the finals.

TR: What was the feeling like on Saturday night after the game? You guys knew you were in the finals, but you’d lost against the Brumbies. What was the thought process after that game?

AN: Lots of disappointment. We had a goal of completing the grand slam of beating all the Australian Conference teams, home and away, and it was disappointing because we felt we let ourselves down on Saturday night. We didn’t put our best foot forward.

But it’s probably a little kick up the backside to get us into gear for this weekend and the finals, so it might be a blessing in disguise.

TR: In a lot of sports, you’ll hear about teams needing to have a loss before the finals as it, as you put it, provides a bit of a kick up the backside. Is there any kind of truth to that?

AN: I don’t think there are any golden rules in sport. So many unexpected things happen, so yeah, I think teams might rest on their laurels at times after a few wins and get ahead of themselves. A loss always brings you back and makes you refocus on what you were doing well and the task at hand. I’ve got no doubt that we’ll be raring to go for this weekend.

TR: As a result of the loss on Saturday you guys have to play a New Zealand team, albeit one that you beat earlier in the season. What was your reaction to the draw when you saw you guys were going up against the Highlanders?

AN: Nothing really changed for us. All the teams in the top eight are quality sides, so there’s no easy game in Super Rugby any week. It didn’t really matter for us, we knew that we had the home game, we knew that we weren’t going to travel.

We played and beat the Highlanders earlier in the year, but there’s no doubt they’ll be a lot better this time around. They’re a very clever side, very innovative. We’re going to have to be on our toes.

(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

TR: How confident are you?

AN: We’re confident but no more or less than any other week. There’s been a big focus on ourselves, especially after last Saturday night, where we thought we let ourselves down.

We’re the best attacking team in Super Rugby by the stats, so we know that if we are able to execute our game and defend well, then the result should fall our way on Saturday night.

TR: Let’s talk about the keys for Saturday night. Does it all come down to your attack, or does it come down to complementing it with good defence?

AN: There’s no doubt we need to be good on both sides of the ball. Our defence was poor against the Brumbies and that’s what lost us the game – we scored 31 points but were beaten. There’s no doubt that’s an area we’re going to look to improve this week.

Against these Kiwi sides you’ve got to be good on both sides of the ball and play with a lot of intensity. We’ll be looking to do that this weekend.

TR: 2018 has been a much better season than the last for the Waratahs. How far do you think you guys have to go in the finals to make this year a success?

AN: This year we’ve had more clarity both on and off the field around the direction we want to go as a team and the way we want to play. There’s no doubt that our clear goal is to win the entire competition. We really believe that we’ve got the team to do it.

That’s not to say that if we don’t win the competition the year’s not a success but that is no doubt it’s a clear target for us.

TR: Let’s change tack and focus on your own personal game. You’ve gone from what can’t have been a particularly comfortable situation with the Force last year to playing with a really good Waratahs side this year. How’ve you found that change?

AN: It’s been quite a smooth transition. Being a New South Wales-born and bred guy, knowing a lot of blokes in the team already, it’s been a pleasure joining the group this year.

I really enjoyed my time at the Force. It was obviously my first year of Super Rugby, so I learnt a lot and had a lot of great experiences over there. It’s been a great transition for me back into the Waratahs, albeit with what happened to the Force. I’ve really enjoyed my time back in New South Wales so far.

(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

TR: How would you rate this season for you personally?

AN: At times, it’s been inconsistent. I’ve been in and out of the team, starting some games and on the bench for others. Then I had a few weeks when I was out of the 23 altogether, and now I’m back in and starting this weekend.

At the same time, we’ve got a really competitive backline unit – each week there’s no shortage of competition. I’ve enjoyed playing with all the guys, and am excited to be back playing good football especially at this time of year.

TR: You mentioned that period in the season where you weren’t in the side. Do you feel like you’re peaking at the right time of the year?

AN: I suppose you could say that. I had a few things I had to go away to work on and I did that when I went back and played a few weeks of club rugby. Now, I know I’m back playing the type of rugby that I’m capable of.

Getting back into the starting team at this time of year, it’s not a surprise, I know when I’m playing good footy that this is what I’m capable of. But it is pleasing to be back, playing good rugby at an important time of year.

TR: You’re playing alongside some really good backline players with the Waratahs, guys like Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley and Curtis Rona. How helpful has that been for your development?

AN: It’s been amazing. If you look at a guy like Israel Folau, obviously he’s got an immense amount of talent, and he’s not an overly outspoken guy, so when he does speak up you really listen at what he’s got to say.

With guys like Kurtley and Bernard, even though I’m an outside back, I can learn a lot from them around the way they go about their preparation and different ways to attack. There’s certainly no shortage of learning going on from my end and it’s been great to progress in my game, and to contribute alongside those guys as well.

(Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

TR: Are there any particular players that you’ve been able to learn more from?

AN: Israel is a guy you automatically learn from. His confidence in the way he attacks the ball and plays off his instinct is something that, as an outside back, I take a lot from and I feel that part of my game has progressed this year.

Bernard is probably the other one that, with the way he thinks about the game, I’ve learnt a lot from. His football knowledge is incredible. Between those two different players I’ve learnt plenty from both of them.

TR: To finish up, what would be your message to Waratahs fans ahead of this Saturday’s match?

AN: Get behind us. We’re excited to not just be the only Australian Super Rugby side left in the finals, but we know we’re playing for New South Wales and we’re proud to represent everyone from the beach to the bush. We’ll certainly be playing with a lot of passion and pride in our jersey and the state that we represent.

The Waratahs will go up against the Highlanders this weekend with a chance to book their place in the Super Rugby finals. Be sure to grab a NSW Waratahs home ticket and get down to Allianz Stadium to enjoy all the action.