Former NSW and Australia rugby league representative Phil Bailey wants the Waratahs to display more aggression and dominant tackling in their defence.
Former Kangaroos and Origin rugby league player Phil Bailey has joined the NSW Waratahs coaching staff with plans to bring more aggression and dominance to the Super Rugby team’s defence.
Bailey, who has taken on the responsibility for the defence less than three weeks before the Tahs opening game of the season, replaces Steve Tandy.
The 39-year-old Bailey watched the Waratahs’ internal trial on Saturday and had his first formal session with the squad on Wednesday.
NSW play the Highlanders in a pre-season game on Friday and have another against Queensland next week, before starting their Super campaign on February 1.
“We’ve been really lucky because a lot of really good stuff already been laid down the last year and into this pre-season as well, so its more me getting up to speed with what they’ve already
got embedded and just adding my little bits and touches as well,” Bailey said.
“There’s a lot of good stuff that’s already been implemented and there’s some things that we want to bolt onto that moving forward in this 2020 season.
“‘We just want to put a little bit more focus on the individual tackle technique, and different styles of tackles as well too.
“We’re looking for more dominant tackles this year, being more of an aggressive Waratahs side.”
Bailey has an impressive network of contacts and mentors including former Wallabies coaches Michael Cheika and Eddie Jones.
It was Cheika, who stood down from the Wallabies’ coaching post after their quarter-final elimination at last year’s World Cup, who tipped Bailey off to a potential opportunity with the Waratahs.
Tandy left NSW to take up the Scotland defence job vacated by Australian Matt Taylor, who has taken on a Wallabies post.
Former Manly, Northern Eagles, Cronulla and Wigan centre/back-rower Bailey has held a number of league and union coaching posts since the end of his playing career.
He was part of the United States’ 2015 Rugby World Cup management team and was a head coach in Hong Kong for two seasons.
Most recently he worked within the NSW Rugby League’s development pathway.
Unlike during his playing days, the head is now a no-go area for tackling.
“That’s where my skill-set comes in as well, around technique,” Bailey said.
“Those days are gone, no one is going back to the past, so the head is out of it completely.”
Double Agent
Guest
Beale was made a 10 decades ago. He wasn't up to it.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Yeah I know that. I just don’t get it
jeznez
Roar Guru
Tet plays both sides but primarily Tight. Based on NRC and this selection they look to be converting HJH there and have Talakai as well. Robertson and O’Connor backed up by Walker for the Loosehead side.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Abel is capable yes. But he’s not better than Latu was. No chance for Robertson as a hooker. Today hooker’s have the play of flankers. Nobody is looking for one with the play of a prop and without years of line out throwing experience.
MitchO
Guest
Surely Abel is competent enough to get the job done though? He's been around a long time. Fitzpatrick is a decent super level player too so it is not all bad. Be fun to see if Robertson could reinvent himself as a hooker. Tizzano is another guy potentially built like a hooker but hard to see how he can put more weight on as he's already a block. I am pretty Ready played the last couple of NRC games for the Force. Be good if he ends up back in Aussie rugby.
MitchO
Guest
I thought Tet Faulkner was a tighthead before the Force and then Melbourne put him at loosehead so they could keep Ainsley at Tighthead. Faulkner should still be competent. Robertson improved and in fairness to him he was pretty young when he debuted. He's a decent super rugby player with a legitimate shot of working his way back closer to the test team. Sio and Slipper ahead though. HJH was doing okay so that is a few props who'll be there or thereabouts in terms of getting their jobs done. If all Bailey does is improve Maddocks' tackling it'll be a good thing. KB's too for that matter. They lack competence more than commitment. Foley and Beale worked okay so it is entirely possible that Beale and Hunt is doable at super level. At least if Beale crabs Hunt will be there to straighten it up.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No. Represents him playing guys who didn't start basically every game in 2019. Fitzpatrick is the only player who has come in after playing every game for 2019. Abel didn't play much in 2019 after the first few rounds so Penney would want to see what he can do.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Do you genuinely think that any of Robertson, Swinton, Gordon, Newsome, Hunt, Foketi and Clark's selections represents Penney "trying things"?
Peterj
Guest
I can imagine! Well let me know if you’re keen to watch a Tahs game! I’m a long suffering and eternally hopeful fan as well!
jeznez
Roar Guru
Ha ha, no coaching the Thirsty Thirds doesn't leave me lacking in beer and rugby chat!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I think there's more to it than that. None of Robertson, Swinton, Gordon, Newsome, Hunt, Foketi and Clark started basically every game in 2019 did they? I think Fitzpatrick is the remaining non-Wallaby who did. And ultimately I can't see a guy who has struggled to make the 23 at 3 different franchises, leapfrog the guy who kept Tolu Latu on the bench for a lot of two years.
Peterj
Guest
I didn’t take your comment as a knock at all. I’ve been an occasional commentator on here for a number of years and always found your comments well thought out and insightful. I’m on the island as well. I always thought that Sandy Bay was out in the new territories. Clearly got that wrong! I’d be keen to hang out and grab a beer if you’re ever keen to talk rugby! Although I’m sure you’re not lacking in that department!
jeznez
Roar Guru
I think barring injury, the Wallabies to be brought back and accounting for departures it's a pretty straightforward selection. Johnson-Holmes at TH and Nawaqanitawase at FB are the biggest experiments. McCauley getting another chance is probably the third biggest experiment. Robertson, Swinton, Gordon, Newsome, Hunt, Foketi and Clark are likely to run exactly as selected. Abel, Staniforth and Johnson-Holmes will hold their positions if they perform. They'll then just put the Wallabies - Simmons, Hanigan, Hooper, Beale and Maddocks back in as they come available.
jeznez
Roar Guru
The Premiership is quite good rugby, my comment above that it isn't as strong as Shute wasn't meant as a knock. We played Valley again on the weekend tough day for our 1's, 2's and 4's - my 3's got up though! No, I live on HK Island - our club trains at Wong Chuk Hang (by Ocean Park MTR) and I don't think I could stand the commute if I lived out there!
Peterj
Guest
Do you live in the New Territory’s?
Peterj
Guest
Ahhh ok then. I’m with Valley but have only moved to HK in July. I was asked about coaching one of their junior sides but it was just too time consuming. I’m still playing hockey on Sundays so didn’t want my whole weekend taken up. I went and watched Valley first XV against Sandy Bay I think? It was end of November/early Dec. I was quite impressed with the standard.
jeznez
Roar Guru
HKU Sandy Bay, coach the NL side. You?
Peterj
Guest
Jez, I’m in HK as well. Which club are you with?
jeznez
Roar Guru
Just relaying what the coaches have been saying. They’ve given very strong indication they’ll be starting him there and easing the younger 10s in.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
If you look at the team I think you’ll find no starter started every game in 2019 except maybe HJH, but at LH. So it looks like they are trying things a little.