Waratahs looking to regain dominance – Super Rugby 2018 Preview
It’s been three seasons since the Waratahs took home their maiden title, and each one has been worse than the last. From an 11-win season in 2015 that saw the side finish 2nd in the round-robin, the Waratahs fell to their worst ever result in 2017 only managing four wins.
For Kiwi coach Daryl Gibson this season will be make-or-break. The deterioration of the side’s results under his watch hasn’t gone to plan for the Waratah’s succession planning. Gibson was the backs coach during the 2014 championship season.
“2018 is a new start for us, at a new home with a new attitude and approach. We are fully aware of the expectations there are of us as a team and me as a coach. Aside from the obvious goal of winning, we want to implement a style of play that we are known for,” Gibson told Green and Gold Rugby.
“At the same time, we want to be a fit and mobile team which is reflective of the players we have recruited.
The biggest off-season addition is the return of superstar Kurtley Beale, who is expected to return at inside centre and re-form his successful combination with Israel Folau. Beale’s biggest benefactor will arguably be flyhalf Bernard Foley, who plays best when Beale shoulders some of the load.
Incumbent halves Nick Phipps and Foley may come under pressure from young pairing Jake Gordon and Mack Mason. Gordon especially, gives the Waratahs a running game from 9 that Phipps cannot. Mason is an Australian under-20 flyhalf that could be the Waratahs future at 10.
One of the shortcomings of last season was only having one true centre in Rob Horne on the roster, with Folau offered as cover. The return of Beale, as well as the signing of Force star Curtis Rona and Bay of Plenty mid-fielder Lalakai Foketi has bolstered the midfield depth. One of the NRC’s best emerging players of a couple of seasons ago, centre Irae Simone, could also be ready for a breakthrough season.
There is no question of talent at the Waratahs, with three of best players in the World in Michael Hooper, Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale. The bigger question will be whether they can finally pull it together under Gibson’s structures and a young pack.
There were suggestions last year the pack was ‘unbalanced’, with too many ball-handlers in the back row and not enough big bodies to bring physicality. The addition of Rob Simmons from the Reds should add some size and lineout stability, as well as young Brumbies lock Tom Staniforth who makes the move north to chase a starting role.
Michael Hooper will lead a young backrow with emerging talent Jack Dempsey, Jed Holloway, Queensland product Maclean Jones, ex-Rebels open side Will Miller and highly touted youth prospect Brad Wilkin.
The front row has experience in Sekope Kepu, but is fairly green with young starters in Tolu Latu and Tom Robertson. A host of babies in relative terms for props join the squad in Harry Johnson-Holmes, Cody Walker and Shambeckler Vui.
“We have put a strong emphasis on strength and conditioning in our pre-season preparations. This is one area that let us down in previous years and if we want to play an expansive, positive game of rugby, our players need to be in the physical condition to do so for 80 minutes,” Gibson said.
All the talk from Gibson indicates that the Waratahs will play an expansive game, much like the success found during the 2014 season. The biggest test for the side will be depth. The pack is very young, especially in the tight five. If injuries play a part then the Waratahs set-piece will suffer.
They may have the best backline in Australia. The addition of Curtis Rona is a gem – he was a big part of the Force’s attack and had a major impact at Super Rugby level in his first year transitioning from the NRL. Adding a quality centre allows Folau to move back to fullback which has been his best position.
The question will be whether the forward pack can hold up to allow the backs to hit their straps. With so much on the line for Gibson and so much talent back, we back the Waratahs to finally click and pip the Brumbies as Australia’s top side.
2018 Predictions
Australian Conference Placing: 1st
Player of the Year: Michael Hooper
Rookie of the Year: Brad Wilkin
Breakout Player: Mack Mason
Best Signing: Curtis Rona
Franchise History
Best finish: Champions in 2014
Worst finish: Sixteenth in 2017
In: Kurtley Beale (Wasps), Lalakai Foketi (Bay of Plenty), Harry Johnson-Holmes (NSW Country Eagles), Will Miller (Rebels), Alex Newsome (Force), Nick Palmer (Hawke’s Bay), Curtis Rona (Western Force), Rob Simmons (Reds), Tom Staniforth (Brumbies), Lachlan Swinton (NSW Country Eagles), Cody Walker (Sydney Rays), Shambekler Vui (Force).
Out: Andrew Deegan (Connacht), Rob Horne (Northampton), David Horowitz (Rebels), Matt Lucas (Brumbies), Dean Mumm (Retired), Will Skelton (Saracens).
Squad: Kurtley Beale, Cam Clark, Jack Dempsey, Damien Fitzpatrick, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Jake Gordon, Ned Hanigan, Bryce Hegarty, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Maclean Jones, Andrew Kellaway, Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Mack Mason, Ryan McCauley, Kelly Meafua, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Alex Newsome, Nick Palmer, Nick Phipps, Hugh Roach, Tom Robertson, Paddy Ryan, Matt Sandell, Rob Simmons, Irae Simone, Tom Staniforth, Lachlan Swinton, Shambeckler Vui, Michael Wells, Brad Wilkin.
More Super Rugby Previews
Jaguares searching for winning recipe
Can Bulls overcome Kiwi confines?
Stormers the enigma of South Africa
Queensland Reds heading forward with youth movement
Brumbies looking to change gears
Comments on RugbyPass
“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
1 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
26 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
26 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
26 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
26 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
26 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
26 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to commentsAre bookies taking bets on how many times Vunipola's eventual statement will use the term “elders"? My money is on at least 4 times.
4 Go to commentsSo Ireland will be tired, despite having the most rested test squad in the world. They only play tests, champions cup and urc play off games ffs! Case in point; Leinster sent a B squad to SA for their last two games while their first xv rested up and trained at their leisure for the sf vs Saints at the so called ‘neutral venue’ of Croke Park. So tired? Do me a favour… And as for “people’s champions”? Seriously??? Outside of Ireland they are respected for their ability to win 6N. And of course plenty of inconsequential test friendlies without any real pressure. WC ko games when the pressure is white hot? Not so much…
26 Go to commentsSurprising how standing down or benching a player can do wonders for their motivation. Several players this week in that category.
2 Go to commentsHaha lads lads lads, that’s how you have a holiday In Majorca
4 Go to commentshit on Lynagh was defo late and card-worthy. The other 2 are bang on OK. Hurts you at Test level if youre timing is off and the nostrils are flared. Jerry C knew when to lean in on one, Finau just needs to keep his discipline and head straight.
7 Go to commentsSlade was exceptional against Gloucester. Not only was he doing the classic Slade stuff of running amazing lines and timing passes to perfection to put his wingers into space, he was kicking goals, flying off the line smashing people and crashing into rucks like a flanker… his hair even looked on point. 😍
1 Go to commentsThat’s really sad, hope everyone involved is ok. At least he had pants on.
4 Go to commentsTo be fair it was nowhere bear the Leinster first team (for which, btw, Leinster copped nothing like the outrage that Jake White did for sending a rotated team to the UK). But it’s fun to watch the Stormers doing their thing. They are attracting big, diverse crowds of young fans, and deservedly so. Great to see.
1 Go to commentsIt might be legal but he’s sailing pretty close to the wind. Not a lot needs to go wrong for Finau to end up in the bin. Was it late? Not quite, but borderline. High? A couple of CM within the laws, no room for error with that one. Did he wrap the arms? There was a token effort to wrap one arm, the intent was clearly to hit with the shoulder. So yeah, it’s legal, just. But as we all know, a very slight change in the dynamics could easily have him seeing red. Hopefully not when it really matters.
7 Go to comments