Monday’s rugby news has the Tahs united in the face of history, Gibson giving some insider tips, Aussie Sevens winning bronze and a new quota system in South African schools.
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Unity the key to Tahs run
Injured Waratahs skipper Dave Dennis believes that the unshakable unity of the Tahs will propel the team to overcome their horror run against the Crusaders and win their first Super Rugby final. The NSW franchise have lost 11 straight against the Crusaders, including the 2005 and 2008 grand finals.
“I am extremely confident because of the way they boys are playing; the harmony, the work ethic, the attitude,” Dennis said after the impressive defensive effort during the team’s 26-8 win over the Brumbies. “I was just tremendously proud of the 23 blokes, I saw them working so hard for each other.” [/one_half]
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Gibson touted as secret weapon
The Tahs have emphasised the work of Kiwi-born attacking coach Daryl Gibson, who has won four premierships with the Canterbury franchise and has coached most of their key players. “He’s our mole,” said Waratahs halfback Nick Phipps after his man-of-the-match semi-final. “We’re able to have that inside knowledge and know that style of play that they’re going to play and how to counter that.”
The psychological edge of the Crusaders previous win-record may also be dulled somewhat by the home-field advantage enjoyed by the Waratahs. The home teams have won 15 of 18 Super Rugby grand finals. [/one_half]
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Sevens defeated by NZ in semi
Australia have missed out on a spot in the Commonwealth Games final after losing to eventual silver medallists New Zealand 19-7 in the semi. Scott Curry’s second try in the dying seconds sealed the Kiwi victory.
A dramatic come-from-behind victory over Wales set-up the semi-final between Australian and New-Zealand. Down 19-0 in the opening minutes of that match, the Australian team clawed their way back before a try to Pama Fou more than a minute after fulltime equalised the match, with a Cam Clark conversion taking the 21-19 win. Australia won bronze in their 24-0 victory over Samoa. [/one_half]
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SA schools starting quotas
The SARU will require at least half of the South Africa Schools Rugby squad to be made up of players of colour in a move to implement quotas for the first time at school level. The SARU have instructed 14 players of the 28-member squad be drawn from black, coloured or Indian players.
55 players competed over the weekend for inclusion in the squad, with South Africa scheduled to play U18 teams from England in Stellenbosch, France in Cape Town and Wales in George, during August. [/one_half]
