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'We could win it': Rob Penney's shock title prediction as Waratahs eye first crown since 2014
More than 1500 caps of Waratahs experience has walked out the door, but NSW coach Rob Penney believes his side has the potential to stun the doubters by winning this year’s Super Rugby AU title.
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NSW have experienced arguably the biggest player drain in their history over the past two years, with Adam Ashley-Cooper, Michael Hooper, Rob Simmons, Nick Phipps, Israel Folau, Sekope Kepu, Kurtley Beale, and Bernard Foley among the stars who have left.
The Waratahs were dealt a fresh blow this week when Wallabies forward Jack Dempsey announced he would be leaving at the end of the season to join the Glasgow Warriors.
The exodus of 1560 caps has left Penney with a near blank canvas to work with, and it’s an opportunity he’s embracing.
Penney faced a similarly daunting challenge in 2012 when he took over at Irish club Munster, and he was able to guide them to immediate success.
A Wallabies legend has called on the Reds to play rising star Jordan Petaia in a surprise position ahead of their Super Rugby AU season-opener.https://t.co/chjPWv7Mj3
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 16, 2021
“We were equally down on what you would traditionally call experience, but we went on to make two Heineken Cup semi-finals and a Pro-14 semi-final,” Penney told AAP.
“Sometimes change just needs to be embraced. It’s just the way it is.”
The changes over the past two years have robbed the Waratahs of more than 800 caps of Wallabies experience.
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A few of the departing players – including prop Tom Robertson – have either publicly or privately cited off-field issues as one of the big reasons for their decision to leave the Waratahs.
Penney is adamant there’s a strong culture at the club, and says some players simply struggled to adapt to change.
“Change often causes anxiety, and there’s been massive changes,” Penney said.
“Some of the people had been here a long time. If it’s not the way it used to be, then sometimes people see that as being not positive.
“But certainly there was some change undertaken, and people make their own decisions about whether they embrace it or not. We’ve got a great group here now.”
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As for a realistic goal for 2021?
A Wallabies legend has called on the Reds to play rising star Jordan Petaia in a surprise position ahead of their Super Rugby AU season-opener.https://t.co/chjPWv7Mj3
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 16, 2021
“Well, we could win it,” Penney said.
“The belief comes from the boys, the way in which they are growing, and on the back of some pretty pleasing performances towards the back end of Rugby AU last year.
“I do have faith in youth. I don’t necessarily go with, ‘you’ve got to have a lot of age or a lot of caps under your belt to win stuff’, because I’ve won stuff in NZ with a very young side.”
The Waratahs begin their Super Rugby AU campaign against the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium on Friday.
DEPARTED PLAYERS SINCE 2019 AND NUMBER OF WARATAHS CAPS
Kurtley Beale – 148 caps
Tatafu Polota-Nau – 144 caps
Sekope Kepu – 140 caps
Michael Hooper – 121 caps
Bernard Foley – 120 caps
Israel Folau – 96 caps
Nick Phipps – 87 caps
Adam Ashley-Cooper – 76 caps
Damien Fitzpatrick – 73 caps
Jed Holloway – 63 caps
Tom Robertson – 62 caps
Tolu Latu – 59 caps
Ned Hanigan – 51 caps
Michael Wells – 46 caps
Rob Simmons – 43 caps
Tom Staniforth – 42 caps
Cameron Clark – 39 caps
Curtis Rona – 31 caps
Will Miller – 29 caps
Karmichael Hunt – 23 caps
Mitch Short – 16 caps
Rory O’Connor – 12 caps
Ryan McCauley – 10 caps
Mack Mason – 8 caps
Andrew Tuala – 7 caps
Shambeckler Vui – 5 caps
Michael McDonald – 4 caps
Pat Tafa – 2 caps
Tautalatasi Tasi – 1 cap
Siosifa Lisala – 1 cap
Nick Malouf – 1 cap
TOTAL: 1560 caps
Comments on RugbyPass
pure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
1 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
25 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to comments