A humiliating defeat to the lowly Sunwolves hasn’t dented the NSW Waratahs’ confidence one bit as they vow to bounce back against the high-flying Blues in Auckland.
Lock Tom Staniforth believes a brutal honesty session was just the trick after the Waratahs let slip a handy early lead in capitulating to a 31-29 loss to the doomed Tokyo franchise last Friday night.
“It was pretty critical,” Staniforth said of the side’s match review.
“But that’s just the way it’s got to be. If you’re not critical of each other and have honest conversations, then what’s the point of doing a review in the first place.
“We got out what we had to get out and everyone’s looking to move forward this week.”
After racing to a 12-3 lead with two tries in the opening 15 minutes in Newcastle, the Waratahs continually tried to going wide early.
Staniforth, though, disagreed the Tahs disrespected the Sunwolves, who only a fortnight ago were told they’d be booted out of Super Rugby in 2021.
“I think it was just our skill execution. We’ve got a world-class backline. We’ve got to give them the opportunity,” he said.
“Some days you have off days. That’s just football.
“We’ve just got to build back this week and train well and play well.”
He insisted the Waratahs’ belief hadn’t been shaken by the costly slip-up that meant the Melbourne Rebels went top of the super-tight Australian conference with victory over the Queensland Reds.
“We just focus on the old cliche of week to week,” Staniforth said.
“It’s not really a concern. If you win the games, you get the points so we’ll worry about this week and trying to stop the Blues.”
After opening their campaign with three straight losses, the Blues have won their past three starts heading into Saturday’s clash at Eden Park.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
The Tahs need the Blue Wall to be on song, if it isn't then they are toast.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Who is going to do half the team's tackling with him out?
Neel
Roar Guru
Having no Hooper for this game might be problematic for the Waratahs. It should be an interesting game.
piru
Roar Rookie
A humiliating defeat to the lowly Sunwolves hasn’t dented the NSW Waratahs’ confidence one bit as they vow to bounce back against the high-flying Blues in Auckland. Sounds like something the Wallabies would say
taylorman
Roar Guru
'Blues must be confident and on a winning streak' Just popping out to buy a frame for that. :-)
Gav
Guest
Reiko Ioane to run rings around the incompetent Folau like he does in test matches, who could forget Reiko from a standing start beat Folau on the outside without a finger laid on him 15 meters out for the tryline in the 2017 Bledisloe. Wonderful stuff.
Cynical Play
Guest
That is the strongest Waratah starting backline they could muster. Good back bench. With RI out for the blues I see the back lines as equal. Unfortunately I can’t say the same for the packs. With Hooper and Holloway out Tahs lose a lot. Still, nobody thought they could beat the Crusaders.
Lara
Guest
This will be an interesting game, but my focus will purely be at IC. Hopefully Beale gets to play in his own words his preferred position against Nonu n SBW.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Tahs have not learnt any lessons, they will go in soft and entitled. Blues have a lot faster backline. Blues should win comfortably at home as the tah forwards are blasted off the park.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
yeah Blues win is looking good in Auckland this week imo :)
ForwardsWinMatches
Guest
Honesty session (whatever that means, does that mean “Dear Diary....) - box ticked. Cliches re week-by-week - box ticked. Still confident (read, delusional) - box ticked. World class backline (delusional). What a joke these guys are. For how many years now have we been talking about execution of basic skills.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Some Tahs lads and the team under real pressure. Blues must be confident and on a winning streak. Interesting to see Tahs strategy thus week and the performance of Foley