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Forwards coach Pauli Taumoepeau was celebrating a mini win after the Waratahs won an important penalty against the Brumbies at the scrum. Then, the realisation set in.
Angus Bell, the recently re-signed Test prop who missed the majority of last year’s international season because of a toe injury, had gone down. The pictures, as they said, told a thousand words.
“He knew, he was silent,” Taumoepeau told reporters on Monday.
“The scrum happened, we dominated, so as a forwards coach I was quite happy. But he sort of caught my attention and I didn’t really understand what he was talking about but when I ran out there for him, he didn’t really give me anything [but] 10 steps into it and he said, ‘My toe’s gone’.
“You could just tell it wasn’t good. He didn’t stop. He just kept walking straight past me. He was walking back to the sheds. He knew straightaway. I went back and looked at the footage. His reaction after a dominant scrum like that was he knew.”
Angus Bell was “silent” after a scrum penalty win, with the highly rated 22-year-old knowing he had re-injured his toe. Photo: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Bell is set to miss the entire Super Rugby season in a catastrophic blow to the Waratahs’ hopes.
A month earlier, Waratahs coach Darren Coleman was brimming with excitement as he watched clips from a training session where Bell, fresh and fit and cutting an imposing figure, was storming through the middle of the field like a rhino on the loose.
Now, just 20 minutes into the season Coleman’s front-row weapon is contemplating surgery as he plots his return in time for The Rugby Championship and, indeed, the World Cup.
“I think he was out for four or five months last time,” Taumoepeau said.
“It’s exactly the same thing.
“I’m hearing that he is just looking to try to get into the Wallabies stuff. DC just announced it in front of the team, so whatever that is, four or five months.
“He’s weighing up his options, but he’ll head into surgery.”
The Waratahs have lost Test prop Angus Bell for the Super Rugby season. Photo Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
It’s understood by The Roar that Bell is considering whether to remove a bone in his foot so that the injury doesn’t continue to plague his career.
One of the most damaging runners in Australia, Bell’s influence was seen during the Super Rugby opener as he continually sucked in defenders and made metres through the middle.
His pass off the Allianz Stadium deck sent Max Jorgensen in for his maiden try in Super Rugby.
“It’s (Bell’s absence) massive, like in all aspects,” Taumoepeau said.
“We rely and draw some players that are specific to his carry power, obviously he’s a pretty dominant and destructive scrummager as well, and we rely on those things. It’s a big blow.”
While Bell struggled at the scrum against the All Blacks in his comeback match last September at Eden Park, the 22-year-old was rushed back into the fold such is his importance.
New Wallabies coach Eddie Jones, however, won’t be making the same mistake with Bell one of the first picked when fit.
Waratahs head coach Darren Coleman has some crunch selection calls looming. Photo: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Meanwhile, the Waratahs have a number of selection headaches looming.
Will Harrison’s return next month will give the Waratahs another candidate at fullback and fly-half, while Tolu Latu’s brilliant form – and immense pedigree – means Coleman will soon have to make some crunch calls.
Selection chat will also extend to the back-row configuration, especially after Langi Gleeson’s excellent second-half cameo, as well at fly-half where Tane Edmed started in the No.10 role with Ben Donaldson at fullback.
While Dave Porecki’s slow start to the year can be put down to being short of a gallop, Latu’s all-round game and immense scrummaging, coupled by Bell’s loss, has the Waratahs considering their options.
Latu, who was Michael Cheika’s starting hooker at the 2019 World Cup, was the standout during the Waratahs A’s win over the Brumbies Runners on Friday afternoon and his performance would not have been missed by Jones, who was watching the game.
“It is tough,” Taumoepeau said. “We’ll sit down as a coaching group this afternoon and see where we’re at.
“I think for those guys they’ve just got to play well and if they’re doing their job, then we look at some sort of a rotation policy, what do we need, who gives us what?
“But I agree, Tolu absolutely killed it against the Runners.
“Obviously, David’s one of the best, if not the best hooker, in the country in my eyes and Mahe Vailanu gives us a lot around the field and around the breakdown, which we need as well.
“It’ll be an interesting chat this afternoon in the coaches meeting.”
The Waratahs will play first-up winners the Fiji Drua, who sealed a dramatic come-from-behind victory over Moana Pasifika, on Saturday in Melbourne.
Taumoepeau said the Waratahs had recognised the improvement of the Drua after entering the competition last year.
“No way (are we taking them lightly), Taumoepeau said.
“We’ve been quick to shut that down. Like when supporters or people try and make you feel good that you’re unlucky tonight (against the Brumbies), Fiji Drua will be easy, I’ve noticed that the boys have been pretty quick to shut that down.
“They deserve some respect. I thought their lineout was better, dominant scrum. They played their shape real disciplined as well. They looked like a much better side.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.