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Opinion

Hope for the weeping Waratahs fan

Roar Rookie
14th March, 2021
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Roar Rookie
14th March, 2021
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Waratahs fans left Bankwest Stadium last week in a stream of downcast faces.

The Waratahs had fallen to their third consecutive defeat against last year’s worst team, the Western Force.

It was dispiriting to be sure but all is not lost. Here are five good reasons why Waratahs fans should keep their collective chins up.

1. Goal kicking
Will Harrison is a world-class goal kicker. In Super Rugby AU 2020, he kicked 37 from 40 attempts (92.5 per cent). He hasn’t missed one in 2021.

Overall this is 44 from 47 (93.6 per cent). This is elite.

At the moment it counts for nothing more than a few consolation points, but if the Waratahs can get within reach of their opposition, Harrison’s goal kicking will win them matches.

2. Mark Nawaqanitawase and the high ball
Not since Israel Folau has Australian rugby had a player so skilled under the high ball.

Nawaqanitawase has the rare ability of being able to not just catch the high ball but launch an attack from it also.

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Mark Nawaqanitawase of the Waratahs looks on

(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

3. Youth is on the Waratahs’ side more than any other side
Harry Wilson and Noah Lolesio were the star graduates of the over-achieving 2019 Junior Wallabies.

But Angus Bell, Joey Walton, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano and Nawaqanitawase all had another year of under-20s left to play. These are very young players who are already showing they can hack it at Super Rugby level. If they stick around, the future is dazzling.

4. Help is coming
Michael Hooper was a significant loss. But he isn’t gone for good. He will return in 2022 and in doing so he will just about double the number of caps in the Waratahs’ forward pack.

He should not come alone. Locks Will Skelton, Izack Rodda, Ned Hanigan and Matt Philip are all off contract at the end of this season and may be eyeing a return in preparation for the 2023 World Cup.

Signing even one of them would make the Waratahs’ forward pack significantly stiffer.

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5. The west is awakening
Official crowd numbers for the Waratahs’ recent game at Paramatta’s Bankwest Stadium have proven elusive. But to this seasoned attender, it appeared strong in both quantity and quality.

It was a more multicultural crowd than I ever saw at an SFS game and there was an encouraging amount of fathers and sons.

It suggests that the Waratahs’ insistence on playing in western Sydney is paying off and if rugby union can break in to Western Sydney, not only will the Waratahs prosper but the All Blacks’ reign of Bledisloe terror will be absolutely done for.

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