Vice-captain Alex Newsome has laid bare the feeling of despair and humiliation inside the walls of the NSW Waratahs as their Super Rugby season from hell continues.
Winless in 11 games, the Waratahs leaked another 54 points on the weekend and have conceded an average of 56 points a game in three heavy Trans-Tasman defeats to the Crusaders, Blues and Hurricanes.
“Massively deflating,” Newsome said after squirming through another brutal review on Monday.
“You go out and have a feed with your mates at the pub and they’re almost too scared to ask you about how footy’s going because they know that you haven’t won a game all year.”
The winger said it was impossible to explain the “lazy” efforts in defence week in, week out and that the Waratahs had run out of excuses as professional footballers.
“They’re embarrassing reviews,” Newsome said.
“We’ve got guys being accountable in the reviews but it’s too late then, isn’t it? That’s what’s disappointing.”
Australian sides are a collective one from 15 against New Zealand opposition, but Newsome said the Waratahs needed to draw inspiration from the Queensland Reds’ hoodoo-busting win over the Chiefs on Saturday, as well as the barnstorming form of NSW centre Izaia Perese.
“We’ve just got to stop putting all these Kiwi sides on a pedestal and look at what the Reds did in that first half on Saturday night and look at what Izzy’s been doing to defences and just rip into them,” he said.
“When Australian sides are really confrontational and just backing themselves, you can just see what they can do.
“Everyone’s two arms, two legs and a heartbeat. Everyone’s built the same.
“So obviously it’s been a shocker of a year but we’re looking to finish with two wins and we’re fair dinkum about that.”
Defence coach Jason Gilmore, who’s put his hand up to take on the head coaching role following the mid-season sacking of Rob Penney, said the Waratahs needed some serious soul searching to emerge from their darkest season on record.
“You can’t sugarcoat it, that’s for sure. Some boys are going to have a good, hard look at themselves and front up this week,” Gilmore said.
“When you’re playing against the Kiwi sides, you’ve got to stay alert. You can’t clock off for a second.
“It’s the first time we’ve played the Kiwi sides for a while and the speed of the game has probably caught us on the hop a bit.”
Big Dog
Guest
Nasty comment. The kid’s a champion; he gives 110% every game. Does he make mistakes? Of course, but his efforts can never be denied.
Big Dog
Guest
Be fair. That particular comment - “... their speed has caught us on the hop ...” - was made by Coach Gilmore, not VC Newsome.
Big Dog
Guest
Kepu was oft maligned by detractors like you, but his value to the team became glaringly obvious after his departure. One of the best props we’ve had in NSW rugby in the last twenty years.
Big Dog
Guest
“Cojones”. If you’re going to throw a foreign word in, at least take the time to Google it and find out how to spell it correctly.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
I'm sure the players are embarrassed, its never great being flogged, pretty sure they would be self conscious by the results - feel they are letting down a lot of people. But agree they are playing better rugby now and yes Management should feel embarrassed but they never do. Will just hang in there and hope they get a win
Guess
Roar Rookie
Maybe Whitaker doesn’t want to, cause head coaches get sacked often :silly: I’m actually glad that Gilmore is bad defensive coach. Don’t want them to turn into defensive team if he will become their head coach. Although is it really coaches fault? They don’t have big pack to be good at defence. So who knows maybe Gilmore is dreaming about buying beefed players..
Guess
Roar Rookie
That's the only thing that concerns me. Too much shuffling, as if Gilmore is unaware how bad it is for cohesion. Add to that shute shield debutes. Maybe he's trying to give everyone a chance and evaluate them? But then why talk about the goal to win..
Guess
Roar Rookie
With what they gonna slow the opposition down? They're light attacking team. Thank God
Guess
Roar Rookie
Where this story comes from that Perese is bad at defence? If not him the Tahs would’ve conceded few more tries in some games
Guess
Roar Rookie
No thanks
Guess
Roar Rookie
No it's not coaches job. Except for some generic phrases. It's individuals. Bet Hooper doesn't need motivational speech from coaches to do his best, as well as some other players
Guess
Roar Rookie
Agree but why embarrassing though? It should be embarrassing only for the managers who are bad at their job. They placed all those inexperienced young players together and as if by majic they're expected to perform. Besides, the Tahs play better than some other Aussie teams at times. Yes not winning but kiwis aren't exactly bad at rugby. They shouldn't play them in first place. Another bad idea, this time by aru managers. On the other hand particularly for the Tahs it's good that they have more games so they can gain more experience and improve cohesion
Guess
Roar Rookie
They know what kiwi do. Theory is easy. Counter that by action is what's hard
Guess
Roar Rookie
Shows how even pro players have a short memory. Not like they were better against kiwis pre covid.. “They’re embarrassing reviews,” Newsome said. I wonder how many times he was the reason :laughing: :silly:
Geoff
Guest
They were never in the game to be honest .The Crusaders were in first gear all day. Is Hooper available this week?
Ethel McAAVaaarK
Guest
Doesn`t stop NSW rugby media and Tah players pushing for Perese to be starting Wallaby 13. No wonder the Wallabies are in tatters.
Faith
Roar Rookie
Yes, everyone has two arms, and a heart. But some arms are stronger and some hearts bigger. About the pedestal thing. This is a team that has lost to all Aussie sides. I am not sure it's the pedestal thing that's an issue lol.
Old Bugger
Guest
Might be too OC but he can't do that if he says, "everyone's got two arms, two legs and a heartbeat..." Methinks his problem is, he and his team-mates just haven't figured out what their opposition are doing, with those two arms and two legs, "IN" a heartbeat. When they figure that out, then perhaps, he and his team-mates "WON'T be caught on the hop."
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Only bit I ike of Newsome comments is 2 arms & 2 legs. Coaches are getting away scot free. I'm not talking tactics, I'm talking guts , fire and cajones. A coach can instill/reignite these.
Maybe hand out participation ribbons??