WARATAHS 2011
The Waratahs may just be the biggest underachievers in Super Rugby. Time and again they have promised so much without really winning at the crunch.
The year 2002 is a classic example of this. It was a record breaking season for the Waratahs, as the team won eight out of their 11 season games and finished in second place behind the Crusaders – making the semifinals. However, in the final game of the regular season the Waratahs lost 19-96 (a Super Rugby record at the time – with the Bulls’ 92-3 win over the Reds in 2007 beating that).
They were defeated by their Australian rivals the Brumbies, 51–10, in the Waratahs’ first ever semifinal. The combined score over the two weeks was Brumbies/Crusaders 147 v. Waratahs 29.
In 2004 the Waratahs made a promising start to their season with three straight wins. The team finished eighth on the Super 12 table, six points out of the finals. That year coach Ewen McKenzie re-introduced the end of season tour, taking place in Argentina that year. In 2005, they had their best regular season, finishing second in the table, before losing to the Crusaders in the 2005 Super 12 Final.
The Waratahs finished third on the regular season table for the 2006 Super 14 season, in which two new teams entered the expanded tournament, the Force and Cheetahs. In the last home match of the regular season, the Waratahs hosted the Hurricanes, which they lost 14-29. The following week, the semifinals, they again faced the Hurricanes, though away in Wellington. The Waratahs made their exit, losing 14-16.
In the 2008 season, after a slow start, the ‘Tahs began to play their best rugby in their mid season match with the Blues. The Waratahs then continued on a roll finishing their home season with an impressive four-try bonus point win against title front runners the Sharks improving to second place on the ladder. An average South African trip saw the team slip to third on the ladder after notching only three competition points after losing to the Bulls and a satisfactory draw against other title contenders the Stormers. The Waratahs faced the Reds in the final round with a win securing second place and a home semifinal win over the Sharks moved them up to their first Super 14 final against the Crusaders – which they lost by 12–20.
Strengths: They are a stable side and they have gamebreakers in the likes of Berrick Barnes, Kurtley Beale, Drew Mitchell, Lachie Turner and a hooker – Tatafu Polota-Nau. They are all players who can change a game.
Weaknesses: Forwards, not that is going to be so obvious this year as they play half their matches against Australian sides.
Noteworthy acquisitions: Ryan Cross, a rugby league player ho has come the Waratahs via the Force, Brackin Karauria-Henry, a New Zealander who became a rugby league star, Tom Kingston, who is 19 and getting his first senior contract, Brendan McKibbin, who was born in Scotland, grew up in Brisbane and switched from flank to scrumhalf, Afa Pakalani, a 20-year-old Tongan whose nickname says it all – the Tongan Hitman, prop Paddy Ryan, a New South Welshman getting a senior contact.
Noteworthy losses: Chris Alcock, Adam Frier, who has gone to the Rebels, Dan Palmer, Hendrik Roodt who has gone home to South Africa, Rory Sidey and Chris Thomson.
Coaches: Chris Hickey, a successful coach at several levels, is in his third season as the Waratahs’ coach after taking over from Ewen McKenzie when the big prop went to Paris. His assistants include Michael Foley, Scott Bowen, the former Wallaby who takes over from Scott Wisemantel, Matt Burke (kicking), John Muggleton (defence) and Matt Shirvington (speed).
Captain: Hard, brave, durable Phil Waugh, a great man of Australian rugby, a tough man who makes up for any short comings he may have with tenacity and dedication, and he is an experienced captain.
Potential bolter: Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau who has so much strength, energy and skill.
2010 Position: Third
Best finish: Second in 2002, 2005, 2008
Worst finish: 12th in 2007
Home Venue: Sydney Football Stadium (capacity: 45 000)
2011 Prospects: Surely, they will make the play-offs again – and be beaten in them again.
Waratah squad: Sosene Anesi, Berrick Barnes, Al Baxter, Kurtley Beale, Luke Burgess, Tom Carter, Ryan Cross, David Dennis, Kane Douglas, Damien Fitzpatrick, Daniel Halangahu, Josh Holmes, Rob Horne, Cameron Jowitt, Brackin Karauria-Henry, Sekope Kepu, Locky McCaffrey, Pat McCutcheon, Brendan McKibbin, Drew Mitchell, Ben Mowen, Dean Mumm, Pat O’Connor, Afa Pakalani, Wycliff Palu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson, Paddy Ryan, Jeremy Tilse, Lachie Turner, Phil Waugh (captain)
Schedule:
18 February: v Rebels, away
26 February: v Reds, home
4 March: v Crusaders, away
12 March: Bye
19 March: v Cheetahs, home
26 March: v Brumbies, away
1 April: v Chiefs, home
9 April: v Force, away
16 April: v Blues, away
23 April: v Reds, away
30 April: v Rebels, home
7 May: v Force, home
14 May: Bye
21 May: v Lions, home
28 May: v Sharks, away
3 June: v Bulls, away
11 June: v Highlanders, home
18 June: v Brumbies, home
