The Waratahs are refusing to go into a “dark hole” despite their winless Super Rugby AU season continuing with a heavy loss to Melbourne.
The Waratahs looked like they would be kept scoreless for the first time ever at AAMI Park and only the second time in Super Rugby history before two tries in the final three minutes improved the margin to 33-14.
But they were outclassed across the park by the Rebels, and their job doesn’t get any easier with a meeting next round with Queensland followed by the Brumbies.
They will still be without injured captain and halfback Jake Gordon (ankle) for another few weeks.
Five-eighth Will Harrison relinquished the kicking duties due to a hip problem but could still run freely, although he was completely outshone by veteran Rebels number ten Matt To’omua.
Waratahs coach Rob Penney said his team were showing signs of improvement but needed to improve their concentration, execution and urgency.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
“We’re a young group growing and looking to get better,” Penney said.
“We could live in a dark hole for a few days if we let ourselves but we’ve got to bounce quickly as we’ve got a big game at home.
“We’ve got to take the learnings and apply them to the games.
“There’s been a lot of good stuff being done but it’s just getting that application consistently in games so we can get the reward.”
Sweeping changes are unlikely for their Stadium Australia clash on Saturday with Penney saying some of his “young pups” on the bench weren’t ready for a starting role against the competition heavyweights.
Fill-in Tahs skipper Alex Newsome said the team was doing all it could to turn the season around.
“We just ask our fans to stick by us as we’re a young, inexperienced group but we’re working hard,” Newsome said.
“We’re under no illusions about the improvements we need to make to be competitive.”
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Thanks. I really feel for him
Drew
Roar Rookie
Mack Mason is who you were thinking of. Out in the wilderness now.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Cad, I'm as frustrated as you and many here. I've just asked the question of Nick and hope he can squeeze it in tomorrow as I know many are seeing this issue. The comparison with NZ is daylight then us in this area.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Unca, I’ve Just put the question to Nick’s coaching corner? It is a huge time waster and coaching failure.
Unca
Roar Rookie
Whatever. The scrum went down consistently at the 50 minute mark when Pone came off.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
2 blacks dont make a white Unca.
Unca
Roar Rookie
The Tahs packs like it’s organisation isn’t a tight unit at present, but HJH only got annoyed and looking to the officials when their guy wasn’t holding up the scrum. Like I said previously when Pone was on it was a contest.
Unca
Roar Rookie
The substitute THP for the Rebels collapsed the first 5 scrums he contested.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Didn't pick up on the argentinian but Pone was an improvement. If you want to dominate the scrum then you have to stay up and drive through and that is a job mainly for the tight 5 but also 678! If the base you are pushing against is not solid then anything can happen. A tight 8 scrummage is a thing of beauty that seems to have been lost.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Jez, Ive no idea but TH for HJH is what I was thinking. The opposition seem to slip from long grip to short and he is gone to ground, an ex prop at ref would be all over it but I thought HJH was pulling the same trick, bound to collapse under that situation. Bell will help and agree that Tet's is a better scrummager but doesn't bring as much around the ground.
Unca
Roar Rookie
When Pone F was on the scrum stayed up and it was a good contest. I think that Argentine prop came on and kept collapsing the scrum.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
There's a lesson in what you say.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Oh I think that’s a bit unfair mate. Most of them will absolutely develop, the issue is with the poor management culture it will likely take longer.
Red Block
Roar Rookie
Agreed JC. One Stan commentator pined 'the Waratahs are like the Reds two years ago.' However there is one key difference the Reds had talent to develop. It is difficult to envision any of this Tahs squad improving much more.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Wow! Never read that at the time but what a disgusting attitude. If he’s taken that into his running of the Waratahs it’s no wonder they’ve got issues. Comes across as very self entitled and selfish
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Bang on Drew. Keep playing the same players week after week with no development and all of a sudden you have a big hole of inexperience when they leave. Can’t remember his name now but that 10 who got like 20 mins in 3 years under Gibson. No wonder there are issues
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Can’t build a gold house with bricks mate.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
While I do agree that the young'uns are trying their best and will improve with experience there were still the same problems from previous years. Poor handling, passing, lack of support, line kicks not going out. Still problems with lineout throws but this is improving.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I wouldn’t have switched Tet and Harry. Tet’s capable on both sides but against the grain of most opinions, I think Harry is actually better at TH than LH. Besides, once Bell is back, are they really going to bench HJH and leave Tet at 3?
Drew
Roar Rookie
It's not just all the on the ball work that you've mention that needs work, it's the off the ball work too. Watching the Mitre 10 or SR Aotearoa you just see that the Kiwi players seem so much better in that facet of the game. Brumbies are one of the examples where you see a team of players who know where they need to be, what they need to be doing. Even the Reds with all their raw talent are frustrating to watch at times with the inconsistency of how they execute some of the fundamentals.