'Come back Israel Folau ... all is forgiven'
REACTION: Fans have taken to social media to voice their displeasure in the Waratahs’ 51-14 thumping at the hands of the Chiefs in Wollongong on Friday.
The New South Wales-based franchise looked in control of the fixture when they headed into half-time with a 14-13 lead over the visitors, but a second-half capitulation saw then concede 38 unanswered points in ruthless fashion.
Waratahs head coach Rob Penney labelled the defeat as “embarrassing” in a post-match interview as his side now languishes in 13th spot on the Super Rugby standings.
“It was 51 points, crikey. There are some pretty brutal terms being used to describe what that second half looked like,” Penney told media after the Waratahs suffered their first loss to the Chiefs in New South Wales since 2007.
“It’s very concerning. How does that happen?
“There were six clean drops in that second half where we just turned over ball inexplicably, and we’ve got good players doing it.
“Through the hands and off the chest. That happens through a bit of pressure I guess but it’s not acceptable and it’s just embarrassing.
“It’s really tough on our supporters and the people that believe in these boys.
“It’s just not acceptable. We got bullied off the ball. We went in soft and high.
“You can train until the cows come home but if you don’t want to put your body in a tough position or your head in a hard position … it looks vulnerable.”
Penney wasn’t the only one incised by his side’s dismal showing, with numerous punters taking to Twitter to air their concerns over the Waratahs’ poor start to the 2020 campaign, where they have picked up just one win from five outings.
Some onlookers pointed fingers at various figures, such as last season’s head coach Daryl Gibson for leaving his former team in a shambolic state, and stand-in captain Kurtley Beale, who some believed played his worst-ever game in Waratahs colours.
Elsewhere, fans pleaded for the return of controversial star Israel Folau from French rugby league, while others have decided to give up on the Waratahs and Australian rugby entirely.
If the Waratahs have any aspirations of salvaging their already dire campaign, they will need to dust themselves off ahead of next week’s local derby with the Australian conference-leading Brumbies, who sit in second place on the overall table following their 47-14 thrashing of the Sunwolves earlier yesterday.
Also read: Terrible Tahs an embarresment
Come back #israelfolau all is forgiven 😏 #WARvCHI
— #1 Chairman (@Justinkrdible) March 6, 2020
I blame Gibson for this poor season, he did nothing with regards to future planning, and Penney has inherited a woeful setup. Going to be at least 2 more ordinary seasons (if super rugby is still around) #WARvCHI
— Hans Orph (@HansOrph) March 6, 2020
What a woeful effort Tahs #WARvCHI
— Danielle B (@DaniBee91) March 6, 2020
Not much to hope for up front for the Waraths this season. That was hard too watch. Harrison looks v good though #WARvCHI
— MW7 (@markwelch7) March 6, 2020
“A lot of young guys” he says, about the oldest overall combined age in the competition.
That is no excuse. #SuperRugby #WARvCHI #GoTahs!
— Sheepie (@bastardsheep) March 6, 2020
#WARvCHI The Waratahs have entered a new low in my opinion, the first half was good but this first half has been sad to watch. I think The Waratahs need to have a long hard look in the mirror and change their attitude.
— Shane Moran (@scoolm8) March 6, 2020
37:0 against Tahs in the second half. Is it possible to do worse? #WARvCHI
— Aidan ‘Bono’ McCarthy (@AidanJMcCarthy) March 6, 2020
37:0 against Tahs in the second half. Is it possible to do worse? #WARvCHI
— Aidan ‘Bono’ McCarthy (@AidanJMcCarthy) March 6, 2020
37:0 against Tahs in the second half. Is it possible to do worse? #WARvCHI
— Aidan ‘Bono’ McCarthy (@AidanJMcCarthy) March 6, 2020
