Time for a review of my previous Tahs’ musings and hopes for the season. Despite my regular Dalai Lama mantras and Anthony Robbins’ reading, it was an excruciating year.
Without doubt I am now more annoyed with the Board and management than I was at the beginning of the season. That the coach got punted was not surprising, it is the easy solution in professional sport.
It is the lack of accountability by the Board, recognition of the problem or an explanation as how the Tahs got here.
Maybe it was this from Chairman Davis “We will button down, hope to learn and pray for a better future,” that sent me over the edge.
Everyone knew we needed a tight-head and a couple of big, experienced locks, how the largest state in Australia could not get them over the last couple of seasons amazes me.
(I will not go into the lack of succession planning or player development.)
What was I hoping for and what did I get?
In my humble opinion, for a first up season Stan Sport/Channel Nine have been a true blessing. It really has shown what rugby has been missing over the last few years.
Apparently FTA numbers were up too, hopefully Channel Nine is happy.
A big tick to have introduced the Japanese Top 14, Rainbow Cup and have delivered on showing the Shute Shield and Hospital Cup. We now have a smorgasbord of rugby.
Apart from some new camera angles, I am just loving the 20-minute summaries of the games, a great way to catch up when there are still only 24 hours in the day.
The commentators get a tick of approval I’m sure we can all nit pick some things but overall no complaints from this couch.
However, a big, big problem is the lack of coverage at the pub, that is an enormous error and concern.
The win/loss ratio, I had hoped the Tahs might jag a win or two, if lucky, but to no avail. As for seeing the youngsters in action we did see that, it was Colts-like at one stage when the two locks and No. 8 were all 20/21.
The start of the season with Jake Gordon, Joey Walton, Lalakai Foketi, Ben Donaldson injured and Izaia Perese suspended really had an impact. But there have been some highlights.
Perese is a lot better than I expected, Donaldson shows some real calmness and skill, Will Harris showed what he has after shrugging off his injuries last year.
Having a bias it was pleasing to see a couple of Manly Marlins get a run – Dave Porecki played well even though he is not a beast of a hooker. I was extremely impressed with Douglas for a 21 year old, who hung in there, trucked the ball up, took a hit or two and racked up more minutes than he would have expected.
The away jersey, I am still a fan of the Argentinia-inspired strip, it even got me to pull out an Argentinian Malbec, which was a pleasure.
We did go out to a couple of games and sampled the sponsor pie and continue to support the beer partner. At this stage I have not indulged in the rum sponsor Brix, but it is on my to do list, maybe after a win over a Kiwi team!
For Tahs’ supporters the season has tested our resilience, and it sure was a challenge keeping the glass half full but it still is.
So have I enjoyed Super Rugby AU, in short yes, but as a Tahs fan it was probably a tougher season than I had hoped. But as the French say – C’est la vie !
BledisloeAsUsual
Guest
If Tizzano left to another SRAU team it wouldn’t be bad. Wouldn’t mind if Liam Wright left the Reds too so we could have a straight shoot out for Wallabies 7 between Hooper, Wright, McReight, Tizzano. Be good for the Wallabies. Plenty of proper 6’s emerging so wouldn’t bother persisting with Wright there.
Objective Observer
Roar Rookie
Geoff - thanks for confirming my theory about not thinking before you post. In 2015 he took a fairly ordinary team to the RWC final -most would see that as a pretty good achievement. So based on RWC 2019 you would say Steve Hansen was a failed test coach - he took the number 1 team in the world to RWC without success - harsh assessment. Johnson was not brought in by the failed Castle to improve life for Cheika.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
JC, I think AAA captained the W's once or twice but not sure about that. I am not in the same camp as you, re Hooper as captain.
Unca
Guest
Yeah, HJH has been fed a dud hand this year.
JC
Roar Rookie
SMH and elsewhere: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/three-tests-in-11-days-mid-week-wallabies-tests-on-the-cards-against-france-20210429-p57nns.html Challenging but not completely unlike the situation we face in a World Cup, where there are short turnarounds. Our depth has improved so I think we could field two decent teams. I think Hooper is a fine captain, but I am concerned that, since Genia and Pocock’s retirements, the Wallabies have literally no one else with captaincy experience at Test level. Maybe James Slipper captained the Wallabies once in a friendly many moons ago, and I guess someone took over for the ten minutes Hooper was sinbinned last year, but that’s it.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Where did you hear that JC? That's a worry...
JC
Roar Rookie
If reports of three Tests in 11 days v France are right, we'll need two starting teams and two captains.
That’s all folks
Guest
How’s the war chest going rah rahs? ????
Geoff
Guest
RWC 2015 ? He didn`t win the cup. 2003 Eddie didnt win the cup.Irrelevant Cheika was a failed test coach. The further he is from the wallabies the better, but i fear he has Rennie and Scojos ear. Remember he also failed in 2016-2018. The wallabies dropped to 7th in world rugby, the worst the ever have ever been ranked. Cheika is a blight on wallaby history..
Tommy
Guest
Nonsense, Absolute nonsense. Cheika never listened to anyone or took advice from anyone but his reflection in the mirror ,and failed accordingly.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Hugh, he was the tahs defence coach about 10 years ago. at the very least his expertise will tighten up the Tahs D.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Interesting - I can't remember who I heard mention Les Kiss as an option . I note the article indicates that the Melbourne Rebels are possibly after Darren Coleman.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Just read this....... Former Ireland defence coach Les Kiss has been linked with a head coaching job in his native Australia with Super Rugby side Waratahs. https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/arid-40277831.html
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Hugh, Hooper won't. Would not put my non-existent house on it atm BUT!
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Dean, agree with that. They are playing like the Reds of a couple of years ago, lots of promise but not much reward and that started when Penny took over. Renew the head and the fish might swim again. BTW anyone know what Penny is doing to feed his family?
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Agree with that JC - BUT I am not sure that what he does has added a lot to the Wallabies. On the other hand, we have been through the worst time since 2001 so maybe with a stronger pack he could have fitted in. To my mind, he has always been a poor version of George Smith.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
The Jones mystery is right up there with the Board mystery. Previous posters are right. At least there's some glimmers of talent visible on the field.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
The Chair was quoted on "hope" and "pray".
tsuru
Roar Rookie
I wonder if there’s any thought of playing Tizzano at 6 when Hooper returns. I, too, would hate to have him lost from the Tahs. Although I’d rather have him lost to the Force than lost from Australia.
Objective Observer
Roar Rookie
Hugh, you are not supposed to think before you post. Everything NSW is bad - everything. A lot seem to forget Super Rugby 2014 and RWC 2015 when it comes to Cheika. Some seem to forget that there was a selection panel for RWC2019 - when we had very poor selections at 9 and 10 (only one from NSW). Mr Johnson was one of those selectors and is close to our new coach - so I have low expectations. My preference would be for no one from NSW in the wallabies just so the whinging will stop. It will take NSW time to rebuild but if they had all the players produced (incl Rugby League) they would smash all other super teams.