NSW Waratahs v Fijian Drua - Fri 28 Feb 2025 7:30pm Allianz Stadium

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Tom Carter is wired up to the coaches box. Watch him point to the sticks when that is what they want.

 

[Wilson]

You think the tahs would've learnt by now to ignore it when Tom Carter points...

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I think catching that was the right play. If you let it bounce and it goes over the 10 you're turning an easy take into a lottery.

I agree thinking about it now v Fiji especially. Don't let the ball be active if we have the choice v these guys.

The tahs outside defence and connection is a worry. Too many times there were big gaps in the line and it seemed like every time they were short out wide. The Drua realised this in the second half and spun it wide making huge meters. The highlanders did the same thing.
It's also odd that it isn't really a rush defence or a slide defence, more just scrambling, the kiwis will eat them up unless they get more disciplined. Mckenzie will get a hat trick.

Defence is an issue for all the sides right now. Lowest score an Aus side has held anyone is a tie between the Tahs and Reds at 24. You aren't going to win any comps with those sorts of numbers.

 

[barbarian]

Or the kickable penalty they refused when 2 or so behind that would have helped steady the ship a little and retake the lead.

In my recollection that wasn't that easy, 40 out on the angle. I can understand why they went to the corner there - Edmed might have also been subbed by then.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I think it's a byproduct of the high scoring and becomes a cycle. I think scores will come down a bit which will make taking 3 more attractive but right now with 35+ not being rare I see how 3 points seems like giving up even though the games have been close.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Super Rugby games are taking 10 to 15 minutes less per game then the six nations at the moment apparently, with the same ball in play time.

That's a lot of extra fatigue, especially in summer/early spring conditions

 

[Derpus]

that's a huge difference

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

And it's a much better product engagement wise. Few replay or reviews have probably been missed but I hope they can iron this out.

Big part will be refs sticking with this and not slowly reverting back.

 

[Thalium]

To me it feels like McKellar is trying to make the Tahs play like the brumbies. But the team assembled in NSW don’t suit that game plan. Sure they have the huge wallaby front row but they lack the locks to get it done.

This team needs to be playing a lot more running rugby they cannot Maul their way to victory

I personally feel McKellar is the wrong coach he tried the same in the North and took a team from top of ladder to bottom in one season

 

[John S]

Yeah, I didn't see the Tahs playing "Brumbies-Lite" footy. I think so far we've equalled last year's wins, so anything else is a bonus. We've improved with actually closing out some games that we would have let go last year.

With the turnover of players, it's going to take a couple of rounds to really click - they were definitely rusty Rd 1, and the bye in Rd 2 certainly didn't help.

 

[fatprop]

The best part of their game last season was their maul, if you get 10m out and have a lineout - it is the best option

 

[Strewthcobber]

I think it's also probably the easiest way to improve a team - relentless focus on getting attacking and defensive mauls right is probably worth a try a game on average.

There wouldn't be any other element/technique in the game that would give you as much value for time spent

 

[Strewthcobber]

This team needs to be playing a lot more running rugby they cannot Maul their way to victory

Running rugby to victory with a backline along the lines of Gordon, Edmed, Lancaster, Foketi, O'Donnell, Jorgensen, Kellaway?

I think you need to find another way

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Spot on. Completely new coaching group and a big influx of new players. This is about attempting to do the simple things well and be able to build from a solid base. The Brums have really just built off this base for a decade+. The days of the Brumbies in the early 2000s aren't happening now...

 

[Braveheart81]

To me it feels like McKellar is trying to make the Tahs play like the brumbies. But the team assembled in NSW don’t suit that game plan. Sure they have the huge wallaby front row but they lack the locks to get it done.

This team needs to be playing a lot more running rugby they cannot Maul their way to victory

The maul isn't completely firing yet but by the same token, I think 4 of our 9 tries in the first two games are from mauls.

The strength of the team is the forward running. Bell, Gleeson, Leota etc. are great with ball in hand and we have been very good at scoring from close range.

Forward oriented play is definitely where McKellar should be focusing. The backline is getting plenty of ball they're not doing a huge amount with to suggest they need to be given more ball.

 

[Froggy]

Agree with much of the above. The backs really aren't looking like any sort of attacking threat, Edmed is solid but doesn't look like creating anything, and the centres run hard and tackle well but don't ever really threaten. The closest thing to an attacking threat on the weekend was O'Donell offloading in contact, which I liked. Perhaps with JAS back and possibly a change of 10 that might change, but in the meantime the real attacking power for the Tahs comes from those running forwards.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Agree with much of the above. The backs really aren't looking like any sort of attacking threat, Edmed is solid but doesn't look like creating anything, and the centres run hard and tackle well but don't ever really threaten. The closest thing to an attacking threat on the weekend was O'Donell offloading in contact, which I liked. Perhaps with JAS back and possibly a change of 10 that might change, but in the meantime the real attacking power for the Tahs comes from those running forwards.

True, but I would say this has stemmed a bit more from the clear plan for him to put it up. I'm not that dumb to think he has some hidden ability to light it up but he is fast enough and big enough to punch forward if he chose to. Saw it in the ITM Cup stint.

I do like the idea of a centre pairing of O'Donnell and JAS. Both have offloading ability and size.

 

[barbarian]

A lot of these judgements feel a bit premature. Very hot, early games, scrappy and disjointed affairs where neither team looked that comfortable with ball in hand.

There's been enough flashes to show there's something there. Jorgo looks like a star, we know what JAS can bring, Kellaway rock solid, good depth in the centres. Edmed will work into it.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

A lot of these judgements feel a bit premature. Very hot, early games, scrappy and disjointed affairs where neither team looked that comfortable with ball in hand.

There's been enough flashes to show there's something there. Jorgo looks like a star, we know what JAS can bring, Kellaway rock solid, good depth in the centres. Edmed will work into it.

Agree. It is one proper trial with a huge roster change over compared to the Reds who had six games and minimal roster movement.

 

[Hogan]

True, but I would say this has stemmed a bit more from the clear plan for him to put it up. I'm not that dumb to think he has some hidden ability to light it up but he is fast enough and big enough to punch forward if he chose to. Saw it in the ITM Cup stint.

I do like the idea of a centre pairing of O'Donnell and JAS. Both have offloading ability and size.

As well as Edmed played in the ITM Cup, the standard of the comp, particularly defensively, was a few rungs down from Super Rugby. I think his form in NZ was a bit overhyped.

It’s early days with lots of new combinations, so I’m sure the Tahs will soon start to click. There’s too much talent in their backline for it not to. If Tane can’t get them firing then maybe it’s worth having a look at Creighton?