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'It's just not acceptable': Waratahs boss calls for cultural overhaul following record loss to Hurricanes

(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Interim co-coach Chris Whitaker says the NSW Waratahs need a cultural overhaul after their season from hell plumbed new depths on Friday night.

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Winless in eight Super Rugby AU games, the Waratahs opened their Trans-Tasman campaign with a 64-48 loss to the Hurricanes in Sydney.

Whitaker was dismayed the Tahs could put almost 50 points on the Hurricanes yet still finish empty-handed.

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“There were just too many soft tries. It’s just not acceptable. There were three or four tries where individuals need to put their hand up and say that’s not good enough.”

The cricket-score defeat at the SCG featured 17 tries in total, one less than the most in any Super Rugby game in history when the Chiefs edged the Lions 72-65 in a staggering contest in Johannesburg 11 years ago.

“The sad thing is there was some good footy out there. Both sides played some good footy and unfortunately the fact that they scored 60-odd points is going to overshadow that we scored 48,” said Whitaker, who was especially gutted for his halfback and captain Jake Gordon.

“When Jake had the ball, he was putting guys through half holes all day.

“There were some really good performances on attack but unfortunately we need to play on both sides of the ball.”

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Whitaker believes the Waratahs’ traditional attacking style has finally caught up with them.

“Because we’re an attacking team, defence has been on the back burner for so long,” said the 1999 Rugby World Cup winner.

“In the Sydney market, everyone wants to see attacking rugby but I think the mindset needs to change.

“If you look at teams around the world who win competitions, it’s on the back of their defence.”

Ominously, the Hurricanes finished last in the Super Rugby Aotearoa.

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With games against New Zealand’s top four sides to come, including two across the ditch, the Waratahs are staring down the barrel of their first-ever winless season.

“We’ve been written off all year, so what’s new?” Gordon said.

“But we’re trying to improve. We’re desperate to improve.

“But, to be honest, I don’t care what (people) write, it’s more important what we do.

“We do such great work in attack and we look good for long patches in the game – and defence we did too – and then we’ll miss a one-on-one.

“Defence is a real issue at the moment. Players have got to take ownership of that.”

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J
JW 1 hour ago
'He wants players to be able to play four positions': Former All Black critiques Robertson's strategy

Yeah I agree Hansen loved Beaudy way too much. Don’t see what that has to do with your statement of Dmac though.


I think you’re doing that thing where you make stuff up to fit the current picture you’re trying to paint.

But Hansen clearly wanted McKenzie at 15 (probably to take over at 10 later, like B Barrett did). So Cruden was on the outer.

Dmac had never been used as a starting 10 at any level by the point Lima had retired. Mo’unga took over, not Dmac.


Cruden was given the 10 jersey post 2015. He got injured in his second game, lost his jersey after that, but was still second to Barrett. Yes, many thought he should have been given it back (and that he should have got it back straight qaway), but Dmac wasn’t even in the picture at this point so you’re completly off track with those statements you’ve made.


That was the only occasion Dmac played 10, he was always at 15 in that period you mention.

After Cruden as dropped, Mo’unga was the only ‘knock out game’ test 10 New Zealand had. I guess Hansen sold them the idea that McKenzie was the way forward at 10, while Foster thought he could make B Barrett into ‘knock out game’ test 10? Who knows the thought process that went on.


Good job they cleaned the Board out.

Cruden was the first five version of Ethan Blackadder, he was not dropped, he couldn’t regain his place after injury and he said that his injuries were a big factor in leaving.


Hansen had nothing to do with McKenzie at 10.


That you comment about the board in this discussion is enlightening Spew!


Nothing you’ve replied with contradicts when I said about the inaccuracy of those highlighted statements. Bias is sending you waaay off track.


The facet I could agree on (not that you’ve really made the point) would be that by delaying bringing Mo’unga into the side, and instead continuing with Lima (or Barrett if you want to make Lima 1 and Richie 2), he cut short Richies prep for RWC 2019. It would indeed be a lot of pressure to handle being given the 10 jersey a few months out from a WC.


And ofc the old clicks penchants for dual playmakers and thinking Barrett can be a 10 (you’re preaching to the choir, just with bad basis of facts).

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