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.
(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.
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.
Poco Loco
Roar Rookie
And you need someone like Twiggy to give the Tahs some money to buy in some talent and at the same time sack and replace the whole NSW Rugby board. Maybe that someone will give the money on condition of the resignation of the board :silly: . Cheers.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I think the Tahs have a great group of young players full of potential. Management definitely have a monumental failure on their hands by trying to save money leaving the squad bereft of experience and trying to replace decent performers on the cheap (also Rapp refusing to sign Hunt despite him wanting to stay and Penney wanting him). But the Jake Gordon injury shows that one place they are severely lacking is the middle of the road bench/fringe players. The type of guys that could get an MLR or lower level international contract, but would stay in Aus to push their case for $80-100k. There's even some at other teams who struggle to get a game. Fines the 3rd string 9 at the Brumbies is an excellent example of this. The rise of Lonergan probably sees Connal McInerney fall out of the 23. That said they probably have what they need at hooker. At the Reds one of Uru or ASY will fall out of the 23 potentially with Wright back. I'd go after that player to fill Hanigan's old role. Hamish Stewart may potentially fall out of favour also (or one of Vunivalue, Daugunu, Paisami or Petaia). They could really do with Bryce Hegarty right now. At the Rebels they will likely lose one of their loosies. But that isn't really what the Tahs need. Pincus could be a good one to try and nab though. At the Force you have players like Jonah Placid or Jack McGregor who have gone backwards in the pecking order that would be worth looking at. The point is there's plenty of good value players in Aus that are struggling to get in the 23 that could be great bench options for the Tahs. Even in the MLR there's decent players who would have signed for the days for below $100k Charlie Abel Harrison Goddard Tim Metcher Sef Fa'agase Robbie Coleman Get Hooper back next year, spend some money on a decent lock and decent TH and spend $100k per head on 3-5 of these players and that Tahs team will easily improve in the short term as the young players develop in the long term.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yep. :angry:
Paul D
Roar Rookie
The one of very few who would improve the squad immeasurably in an area of immense weakness, who was coming home at discounted rates. And they let it slip..
jeznez
Roar Guru
Heard that. Wondering if the Force are still chasing Ball as well? Looking like Twiggy’s going to buy them a very good team.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Force got Rodda. F$&@ing useless NSWRU... :angry:
Marlin
Roar Rookie
If the get Cheika back i will be defecting to the Reds
Blinky Bill
Roar Rookie
'Resigned to finishing last this year'? Mate I'll be disappointed if we don't. In all honesty I have zero expectations of a win for 2021. In reality all I'm looking for (and I'm guilty of being stubbornly loyal), is that they never throw-in the towel & start to improve in D and show some deception in attack. I'm probably not Robinson Crusoe in wondering how 2022 will be any better year for the Tahs. Sure as eggs are eggs, I'm expecting the Force to go up a level or two, and the others look set to power on. Where to for us? I want to be optimistic. But at the moment it looks like we're hanging onto a match stick in a tidal wave.
Try Hard
Roar Rookie
What a pity for the Tahs if Hooper romps back in. There are some good guys coming up in contention. As for Ned...over the top praise always for this guy. The Tahs should do what the Reds have done...suck it up and build a great culture on the back of the next generation.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
That’s a start. But I hope that decision has resulted in a new offer to Rodda. Offering no more than the Force or Rebels is not particularly convincing.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Saw that. Finally a bit of good news for squad recruitment.
Greysy
Roar Rookie
Yeah, they're lacking quality in a bunch of positions and depth pretty much everywhere except for hooker. Article in SMH tonight says that they now intend to spend the cap next year, so hopefully they'll be able to inject some quality. Also says that apparently the crowd at Parra for the Force game was only 4264...
Guess
Roar Rookie
Dunno it looks like financial fraud
Guess
Roar Rookie
Hope those guys you mentioned won't start running from tahtinic though. I feel for Harrison and the likes, they can't show all their potential. Wonder if Rennie overlooked him because of the team's poor performance. Tahs need to improve 'somehow' and fast..
jeznez
Roar Guru
Hang in there Chook. This too shall pass!
Machooka
Roar Guru
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Thanks for cheering me up, Wallatahs... that was funny! '... with Rennie instructed to pick them.'
Machooka
Roar Guru
Thanks, Farthing... but I'm still weeping! :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying:
Wallatahs
Guest
the tahs have nothing to moan about. For years especially 2015- 2019 they have underperformed and have been gifted gold jerseys. It happened again in 2020 with Rennie instructed to pick them. Hanigan Swinton Gordon Hooper Simmons and Bell did not deserve test jerseys.
Noodles
Guest
There's a fundamental flaw in NSW rugby and it's governance. The hierarchy is far removed from the realities of the game and is simply unable to maintain a consistency that should reflect its size in the Australian game. The Brumbies have built a class culture and recruitment program that keeps delivering. Queensland has rebuilt after an unhappy period where the 'no dickheads' policy went missing. Melbourne and Perth are delivering above their weight and showing signs of becoming strong, hard campaigners. These young Tahs deserve a good bunch at the top - maybe some people who demonstrate experience in building great culture in winning organisations. I can't see one in the current board lineup.
wahwah100
Roar Rookie
Not just locks needed. An experienced TH prop or two is needed and move Harry back to LH prop and same goes in the centres. You need good players competing now for positions. At the moment very few if any players are being challenged for their positions. Penny should be judged on the results when he has a decent squad under him, not a development squad.