After successfully emerging from a taxing week, the NSW Waratahs are preparing to ramp up their physicality for three successive Super Rugby tussles with South African opposition.
Last Saturday’s narrow win over Melbourne has brought NSW to within four points of the conference-leading Rebels, who have a bye this week.
A win on Saturday over the Sharks in the Tahs’ first home game at the new Bankwest Stadium will put them at least level, if not ahead, of Melbourne.
The Rebels triumph was achieved without Israel Folau, with the Tahs in the eye of the media storm throughout the week due to ongoing developments triggered by the Wallabies fullback’s latest social media posts.
“It was mentally taxing but once we brushed off that stuff, after the game we felt great,” Waratahs lock Jed Holloway, who notched his 50th NSW appearance in the game, said.
Following the Sharks game, NSW travel to South Africa for matches against the Bulls in Pretoria and the Lions in Johannesburg.
“Definitely a test that’s coming, but it’s not one that we’re going to shy away from. I’m sure the physicality is going to be up at training over the next couple of weeks but we’re ready for it,” Holloway said.
The Tahs are expecting a strong response from a Sharks side who have slipped from first to third in the South African conference after successive home losses to the Jaguares and Queensland Reds.
Wallabies hooker Tolu Lato will be available after serving a six-week suspension and is in fine fettle, according to Holloway.
“He’s actually looking the best I’ve seen him look,” Holloway said.
“Physically I think he’s at the best weight he’s played at since I’ve played with him, and his skin folds are at the best as well.”
Defence coach Steve Tandy stressed the importance of the Waratahs staying disciplined against the Sharks.
“I think it’s really focusing on not giving cheap penalties away because you look at the Sharks, they will (turn) down three (points from a penalty) so they will kick to the corner and want to keep you there,” Tandy said.
“It’s really important we are disciplined because ultimately you know these are huge men and are going to come at you.
“As much as you trust your defence system, you don’t want to be defending for large periods at the wrong end of the field.”
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Yup, sounds like some kind of rugby players beauty contest. Anyway Akker Van Der Merwe (the angry warthog) back. He doesn't have skin. Just hide and hair.
CUW
Roar Rookie
they will be dancing to ONJ song in the background :P
Lano
Roar Guru
Truely honestly you would not believe that the boys are talking about this nonsense - imagine Sam Whitelock and Brodie talking about Keiron Reed! It’s just downright hilarious. And pathetic. And that’s why the Tahs are going down down...
jeznez
Roar Guru
He and Hooper are equal 6th for tackle busts among all forwards on the Foxsports stats. 18 each.
dazell
Roar Rookie
yeah not seeing it either re Naisarani, he seems to do a lot of short strong runs that accumulates metre but we are not seeing the huge tackle busts and line breaks he used to do. Also what Damian Fitzpatrick have to do to get a pat on the back, out played Rangi considerably I thought. He doesn't have much of a running game but does everything else well.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Marx must be shaking in his boots.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I wish we had Holloway at 8 as well. That said Naisarani is going pretty well - third most run metres of any forward in the comp with 531 m. Only Vosayaco of the Sunwolves, 613m (who shifted from flank to centre on the weekend) and Akira Ioane 545m (he's has played one more match than the others) are ahead of him. In terms of giving the Wallabies the opportunity to have a hard carrying 8 he's doing a pretty solid job. Given Pocock still isn't playing Hooper being the leading tackler of all Super Rugby and Jones sitting 6th on the all tacklers list shapes as a pretty good backrow for me. Although ideally Pocock makes it back as although the carrying, tackling and lineout would be strong with that trio, they lack breakdown presence.
ForwardsWinMatches
Guest
At the risk of being accused of sounding like a broken record....Staniforth to lock and Holloway to 8. I think one of the big missed opportunities this year is Holloway not playing 8. I’m not seeing what everybody else has been seeing in Naisarani. The Tahs backs are best balanced they’ve been for a couple of years - that’s a reflection on Beale’s positioning rather than Folau’s omission.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
When does Tom Robertson return? Hell find it difficult to get a start the way J-H is going
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Gee, one would have thought Gibson would have identified the physicality angle a lot sooner than now. Season is more than half done
dazell
Roar Rookie
Having the size and power to provide the physicality is the other issue that The Tah's face I think.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Tahs need to take a leaf from the Brumbies playbook. AND if they are talking about discipline, leave Latu in the stands.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Good that they are considering discipline and recognise the physicality required against the forwards. However understanding and doing something about it are 2 different things. Tahs will struggle in the scrums and mauls. Additionally these teams go up the middle and keep driving and the tahs lack the power in the forwards to drive them back. They struggled against Naisarani as a clear example against the rebels.
Lano
Roar Guru
“The hooker has great skin-folds.....” Gold! The SA leg is done and dusted.