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'Run over any team': Waratahs remain upbeat despite losing run
Defiantly optimistic, the NSW Waratahs firmly believe they can still win the Super Rugby Pacific title despite starting their 2024 campaign with a one-from-five record.
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Far from deflating the Waratahs, last week’s 39-36 golden-point loss to the Fijian Drua in sapping conditions in Lautoka has only raised confidence levels within the group.
So says lock Miles Amatosero, who reckons a Waratahs roll on is just around the corner after the Drua near miss followed two-point home losses to the Blues and Highlanders.
“To be able to contend with these top teams, it’s exciting times,” Amatosero said on Tuesday.
“It’s a really good spot that we feel like we’re in at the moment because in moments we can really see what we can do.
“We’ve probably just been a centimetre off and that’s exciting, that’s a good thing that energy-wise we’re in a really good space at the moment to move forward and beat these top teams.
“Every week we’re getting better and better and it’s just exciting to see where we’re going to go from here.”
Three successive bonus-points plus a round-two victory over the defending champion Crusaders has left the 10th-placed Tahs only two points out of the top eight, and just one win from potentially sixth spot a third of the way through the competition.
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“We’re seeing what we can do now and, focusing on our game, I believe we’ll run over any team that gets put in front of us,” Amatosero said.
“Obviously it’s pretty frustrating to have lost because last week we were so close and most of these games we were winning for most of it.
“It’s just those little decisions, even though they might be minor decisions or little mistakes, they are enough to dictate a game.
“So it’s just fixing that minor decision that you might not think is a big deal, getting those things right.
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“I don’t think we ever want to panic.”
The Waratahs are hosting the Melbourne Rebels at Allianz Stadium on Friday night in what shapes as a genuine must-win encounter.
“We’ve got to come out firing,” Amatosero said.
“We’re definitely a team that might be able to swing things in the later half but if we just come out ready to go, guns blazing from the beginning and put our foot on their throat, it won’t give them a chance to play.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Shows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
4 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
4 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
4 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to comments