'That's how we have to play - like a test match': Waratahs brace themselves for red-hot Jaguares
The NSW Waratahs are approaching Saturday night’s showdown with the red-hot Jaguares with Test-match intensity as they fight to keep their Super Rugby finals hopes alive.
Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson rates the Jaguares – who have won five of their past six games to rocket up the ladder – as a “top two” outfit.
But Waratahs and Wallabies lock Rob Simmons ranks the Argentines even higher than that.
“They’re basically an international team. I’m not too sure if they’ll have a player out there on the weekend who hasn’t played for their country,” Simmons said at Friday’s captain’s run.
“So they’re basically a Test-match team out there and that’s how we have to play – like a Test match.”
In somewhat of a conundrum for Gibson’s side, the Waratahs – sitting less than a win behind the Brumbies in the Australian conference – believe they control their finals fate yet have little idea how to plan for the free-running Jaguares.
“In counter-attack, they play really carefree. They really throw it around, get themselves a little bit isolated, but they seem to make it work,” Simmons said.
“It looks real frantic, but I think they know what’s going on. Their forwards interplay with their backs.
“It’s a little bit of a surprise packet and they sometimes get passes away that you woudn’t think is going to happen so basically they’re a really hard team to plan for.”
Apart from having to expect the unexpected, the Waratahs are hoping to impose themselves physically on Super Rugby’s Globetrotters.
“We can’t get too caught up in what they’re doing and we know they’re going to throw some stuff at us,” Simmons said.
“But you go back to rugby 101 and try to win that physical battle and that set-piece battle.
“Especially the forwards, if we can own that up front, our backs will do their part.”
Victory at Parramatta’s Bankwest Stadium would set up a grandstand finish to in the race for Australian conference honours and a guaranteed finals berth.
The Waratahs face the Melbourne Rebels, also play-off contenders, next week and then the Brumbies in the penultimate round before completing the home-and-away campaign against the Highlanders in New Zealand.
“Fingers crossed we need to win our last game because it means we are still in the comp,” Gibson said.
AAP
Comments on RugbyPass
Mark 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.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
3 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.
1 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
1 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 commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
9 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments