NSW Waratahs stalwart Jed Hollway says their new-look squad must build on the legacy left by a host of departing stars and drive new standards.
Among the players who left after last season includes Wallabies Bernard Foley, Sekope Kepu, Nick Phipps, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tolu Latu and Curtis Rona.
The Tahs have retained a nucleus of proven players including Wallabies captain Michael Hooper, utility back Kurtley Beale and lock Rob Simmons.
They boast several other Wallabies in props Tom Robertson, Harry Johnson-Holmes and Tetera Faulkner.
Fellow forwards Jack Dempsey and Ned Hanigan, and backs Jake Gordon, Jack Maddocks and Karmichael Hunt, are also in the squad.
Holloway said other players are now becoming more vocal.
“I think all the senior, more capped guys have really found themselves stepping up like Ned, Jake, Lalakai (Foketi) Tom (Staniforth),” Holloway said on Monday.
“If we don’t continue the legacy of Keps, and all those guys that have left, then we won’t be much of a team.
“We need to continue to do that and continue to drive those standards and drive new standards as well and create our own path.”
While external expectations of the Tahs’ prospects under new coach Rob Penney may be lower than last year, Holloway stressed they remained high within the group.
“Internally our vision is to win a Super Rugby title every year, so we feel like we’re doing the right thing at training,” Holloway said.
“Hopefully we get to show that to the crowd and the public come round one.”
The Tahs start their Super Rugby campaign on February 1 away to three-time defending champions, the Crusaders.
Before that, they have a trial on Friday at Leichhardt Oval against the Highlanders and one against Queensland next week.
Holloway has returned from a short stint at famous Irish team Munster, where he played five games and worked under a coaching group including former Wallabies five-eighth and ex-Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham.
“I feel like I got a lot out of it and refreshed me mentally,” Holloway said.
“I’m just really grateful that I got that opportunity and they allowed me to do that and I think it made me a better footy player as well.
“Hopefully that translates into Super Rugby and hopefully it can take me further.”
Rugbyrah
Roar Rookie
The player who made a big difference in tries.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
Carlo is actually very versatile. He played his junior rugby at the University of WA as a devastating Out Centre where his performances got him selected for the Future Force Academy. Then the Force turned him into a 7. I just hope he gets enough game time to enable him to show what he's got. There are a lot more fine young players in WA.
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
Mediocrity would be a stretch goal this year. Of course their aim is to win the the comp. Same as every team. No need to talk about it in the media.
gatesy
Roar Guru
typical - talking the talk before they walk the walk
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Hi Paul, I am hoping you are wrong. I think a lot has to do with his big injury and then a shortage of someone to play in the row. Could have been something to do with what Nick is talking about a second row who can play ball.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Tahs have not had a genuine Eightman since Pali. Given Holloway has been around for 7 years and not being able to nail the spot doesn’t suggest he ever will imo
Morsie
Guest
Staniforth really threw himself into the NRC, I thought he was outstanding at that level (ie he really stood out). I would like to see him and Simmons as locks. Holloway back at 8 and your pick of Swinton, Dempsey, and Hannigan at 6. Find a 10 who can kick and play the edges.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I think it will be Robertson on the LH side ahead of HJH, with Faulkner/Talakai on the TH side. One of the things Penny first identified he wanted was powerful and dominant TH Prop. Not sure if I'd put Faulkner in that catogory, but he was the next recruit announced so I guess he's on TH side. I think Talakai was pretty good last year so I hope he takes it up a level this year. He's looking fitter
Markus
Roar Rookie
"I don’t recall Slipper dominating anyone recently. Nor do I remember Sio dominating anyone, anywhere." For the Wallabies maybe, but you haven't been watching the Brumbies at all if you haven't seen either of these players dominating as part of the most consistently strong Australian scrum.
bigtree.smallaxe
Roar Rookie
Michael Wells has moved to the Rebels i believe.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Gav every Oz franchise is vulnerable at 10
Paul D
Roar Rookie
"that makes it a bit worse for Dempsey" Nah, it just puts context to your recollection of what happened. I'm confident that Dempsey is a significantly better player than both Ferris and Tizzano, despite your obviously fuzzy recollections from one solitary game 16 months ago. Tizzano needs to outperform Gamble (let alone all the others) before he'll even be looked at for a bench spot. He obviously is worth looking at, else the Tahs wouldn't have picked him up. But to suggest he'll be unseating Dempsey, let alone Hanigan or Swinton for the No.6 in his first year is just silly. It follows the same hype that accompanied Hardwick from the west with the insistence he's better than Hooper. Yet Hardwick cannot even hold down his spot at the Rebels!
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
HAHAHA - Holloway craps on with pointless hypocracy like Phipps did. He says .... "If we don’t continue the legacy of Keps, and all those guys that have left, then we won’t be much of a team.......“We need to continue to do that and continue to drive those standards and drive new standards as well and create our own path.” The whole problem has been that the Tahs have not continued the standards of Kepu. And the inconsistent Holloway is one of the chief offenders. Much better duds like him just keep their mouths shut, play better through a full season and try to make the semi finals :)
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Ha, and I am the stopped clock that is still right twice per day.
PeterK
Roar Guru
red rob - i know I was ahead of myself, wishing this year away :)
Pinetree
Roar Rookie
The conference system is still going this year with the Sunwolves still in the competition, and the move back to round robin happens in 2021, when the comp is reduced to 14 teams. Moving back to round robin next year will also reduce the amount of round games from 16 to 13 games, and I think less games next year will be a positive for both player management, and a season not interrupted by international games near the end, which always feels disruptive. RR will also bring back a system where none will question the merit of teams getting through on a weak conference.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I think we can agree to disagree at this point.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Peter I’m often rightly accused of being ill-informed, good chance I’ve been caught out again. But these 2 sources say there are conferences. https://www.theroar.com.au/rugby-union/super-rugby/super-rugby-teams/ https://super.rugby/superrugby/news/super-rugby-2020-match-schedule-released/
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
No BBBBB playing for the Blues until April Chook, that make you feel better? :silly:
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
Sorry Paul D, you're right. In fact, that makes it a bit worse for Dempsey, as he got schooled by Tevin Ferris, rather than Tizzano. https://www.rugby.com.au/match-centre/247/2019/62883 I stand by my observation that Tizzano is one to watch this year, though. Shame he's backing up Hooper, so he may find chances limited, but if he gets on the pitch watch out for him.