1
Waratahs' frustrations at not starting season 'three from three'
Stinging from two narrow defeats, the NSW Waratahs are targeting the next fortnight as critical to their Super Rugby Pacific finals chances.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Waratahs host the Western Force and Melbourne Rebels in successive games in Sydney and acknowledge the importance of winning both to revive their fortunes.
After opening the season with a drought-breaking 30-point rout of Fijian Drua, the Tahs blew it big time against the Queensland Reds before leaving their run too late against the Brumbies last Saturday night.
Playmaker Will Harrison believes the Waratahs should have beaten both of last year’s Super Rugby AU grand finalists and been sitting pretty unbeaten and atop the competition.
Instead, Darren Coleman’s men are precariously placed mid-table and needing to string together some wins to remain in the finals hunt.
“If you look at the Reds game, we probably should have beaten them for sure and then last week [we had] a slow start and we finished well and we definitely could be three from three,” Harrison said on Wednesday.
“We just see these next two weeks, two home games against the Force and the Rebels, that we’ve targeted and try to go two from two.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It’s a massive opportunity to set up our season and it all starts on Sunday arvo at Leichhardt.”
The Waratahs’ frustrating start to 2022 has somewhat mirrored Harrison’s.
Spoken about last year as a potential Wallabies No 10, Harrison isn’t even starting at five-eighth for the Waratahs following a luckless run with injury.
The 22-year-old tore a quad muscle five weeks before the start of pre-season, the aggravated the injury a month later.
In his first game back, Harrison hurt his shoulder in NSW’s first trial game against the Brumbies.
ADVERTISEMENT
With his long-time junior teammate Donaldson establishing himself at flyhalf, Harrison is making his way back via fullback, where he’ll start against the Force.
“Obviously it’s been a tough couple of months having back to back to back injuries,” Harrison said.
“So to get out on the field [off the bench against the Brumbies], it was a massive high. I love playing footy and just to come back from a few letdowns is awesome.
“I’m just happy to be back on the field.”
And happy to help Donaldson out wherever he can.
“It’s different being that second ball player almost. You’ve got more vision,” he said.
“I’ve played a lot growing up with ‘Donno ‘at 15 so we have a really good combination there but it’s probably just about being a good communicator, a good organiser and a link player with Donno and the forwards.
“So my goal is to make Donno’s life easier, sort of take as much pressure off him as I can.”
– Darren Walton
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to commentsWhere has our good friend Pecos gone!? Similar place to the Crusaders D, the abyss.
4 Go to comments