Waratahs out to keep playoffs record intact - Super Rugby 2019 Preview
With a Super Rugby title and nine play-off appearances to their name since 2002, the Waratahs know what’s expected of them heading into 2019.
On average, they’ve made the play-offs every second year since their first semi-final clash against the Brumbies 17 years ago, a record of which is the second-equal best in the competition in that time frame, alongside the Hurricanes and Chiefs.
With such a historically strong post-season record, the men from New South Wales will know what’s expected of them as the new season draws closer.
Missing the quarter-finals would be considered a massive failure for last year’s semi-finalists, while securing top spot in the Australian conference must also be considered a priority.
That much is easier said than done, though, and although the quality of the Australian conference is significantly lower than that of its New Zealand and South African counterparts, there are some challengers that the Waratahs will have to contend with.
By winning the signatures of star first-five Quade Cooper and promising No. 8 Isi Naisarani, the Rebels have established themselves as the Waratahs’ main rivals for the Australian conference title less than a year after finishing in a franchise-record position of ninth.
As Australia’s most successful Super Rugby franchise, the Brumbies can never be discounted as a threat to the Waratahs, and while a trip to the post-season is unlikely for the Sunwolves, they turned many heads in 2018.
With an ever-improving squad at the disposal of their new head coach Tony Brown, the Tokyo-based franchise has the potential to spring a surprise or two in the Australian conference.
Nevertheless, given the breadth of talent within head coach Daryl Gibson’s squad, the Waratahs should still edge the Rebels out as favourites to top the Australian conference come season’s end.
There have been plenty of movements in and out of the side over the off-season, but with the likes of Sekope Kepu, Michael Hooper, Bernard Foley, Kurtley Beale and Israel Folau still plying their trade in Sydney, there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic.
Perhaps the biggest casualty suffered by the Waratahs in terms of transfers is the departure of Taqele Naiyarvoro to Northampton.
The blockbusting winger was in sensational form throughout his second stint in the Harbour City, playing an influential role in the Waratahs’ run to the semi-finals, which included being the first Australian franchise to topple Kiwi opposition in two seasons.
Naiyaravoro ran in a whopping 15 tries to finish second-equal on the try-scoring charts, one shy of Ben Lam’s record-breaking tally of 16.
That sort of strike rate will be dearly missed by the Waratahs, but Gibson has done well to fill the gap left by Naiyaravoro.
Wallabies veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper returns to the squad after a four-year hiatus in the Japanese Top League, while troubled utility back Karmichael Hunt moves south from the Reds in an attempt to work his way back into the national side.
Both players have enough quality to adequately replace Naiyaravoro in the backline, while the capture of John Folau, younger brother of Israel, yields plenty of intrigue.
The rugby league convert played in the NRL for the Parramatta Eels and was internationally capped by Tonga before switching to rugby union last year, where he played in the NRC for the Sydney Rays.
He’s somewhat of an unknown quantity in the XVs version of the game, but if he’s anywhere near as good with ball in hand as his older brother, then the Waratahs are sure to terrorise opposition defences out wide.
Elsewhere in the squad, Bryce Hegarty (Reds), Irae Simone (Brumbies) and Hugh Roach (Rebels) have moved on to Australian rivals, while the loss of Andrew Kellaway to Northampton and Paddy Ryan to the San Diego Legion represent significant losses within the Waratahs set-up.
Gibson has veered towards selecting local youth in a bid to aide those departures, with plenty of newcomers coming into the team from New South Wales-based NRC teams.
The addition of forwards Will Harris, Jeremy Williams and Angus Bell from straight out of secondary school is a point of interest, as is the acquisition of 24-year-old lock Le Roux Roets.
The South African second rower has been playing in the Currie Cup over the past few seasons, and with dimensions of 2m and 135kg, he is set to offer a strong physical presence in the pack.
All things considered, the Waratahs appear to be in good stead to challenge for at least another quarter-finals appearance this year, and should they combine the talents of their established veterans and promising youngsters, they could again go even further than that.
2019 Predictions:
Australian Conference Placing: 1st
Player of the Year: Israel Folau
Rookie of the Year: Le Roux Roets
Best Signing: Adam Ashley-Cooper
Breakout Player: John Folau
Squad Movements:
In: Angus Bell (Newington College), Rory O’Connor (Sydney Rams), Chris Talakai (NSW Country Eagles), Andrew Tuala (Melbourne Rising), Will Harris (Scots College), Le Roux Roets (Pumas), Jeremy Williams (Scots College), BJ Edwards (Canberra Vikings), Hugh Sinclair (Sydney Rams), Rory Suttor (NSW Country Eagles), Patrick Tafa (NSW Country Eagles), Mitch Short (NSW Country Eagles), Will Harrison (Sydney Rays), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Kobelco Steelers), Ben Donaldson (Sydney Rays), John Folau (Sydney Rays), Karmichael Hunt (Reds), James Ramm (Sydney Rays)
Out: Paddy Ryan (San Diego Legion), Matt Sandell (San Diego Legion), Kalivati Tawake (Biarritz), Hugh Roach (Rebels), Nick Palmer (released), Kelly Meafua (Beziers), Brad Wilkin (Rebels), Maclean Jones (released), Nick Duffy (released), Michael Snowden (retired), Bryce Hegarty (Reds), Irae Simone (Brumbies), Andrew Kellaway (Northampton Saints), Taqele Naiyaravoro (Northampton Saints)
Squad:
Forwards: Angus Bell, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Sekope Kepu, Rory O’Connor, Tom Robertson, Chris Talakai, Shambeckler Vui, Cody Walker, Damien Fitzpatrick, Tolu Latu, JP Sauni, Andrew Tuala, Ned Hanigan, Will Harris, Ryan McCauley, Le Roux Roets, Rob Simmons, Tom Staniforth, Jeremy Williams, Jack Dempsey, BJ Edwards, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper, Will Miller, Hugh Sinclair, Rory Suttor, Lachlan Swinton, Patrick Tafa, Michael Wells
Backs: Jake Gordon, Nick Phipps, Mitch Short, Bernard Foley, Will Harrison, Mack Mason, Kurtley Beale, Lalakai Foketi, Alex Newsome, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Cam Clark, Ben Donalson, Israel Folau, John Folau, Karmichael Hunt, James Ramm, Curtis Rona
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
4 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
4 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
4 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
45 Go to comments