Well, its goodnight from him and its goodnight from him. End of the road for the Tahs.
Dr Cyclot"ronnnies", I beg to differ once again. That wasn't rubbish, that was complete and utter BOLLOCKS.
As a game of rugby it was a good demonstration plate tectonics. Two resolute masses just mindlessly grinding away at each other. Were the pyramids built by aliens, did Jesus Christ live out his latter days in a backwater in France, did the Tahs have a game plan? These are the big questions of our time.
Seriously, the Waratahs of 2009 lack any form of creative leadership, both onfield and off. Whether this is a product of the "win at all costs" siege mentality caused by political infighting in the board room, or just plain dumb-assed coaching is difficult to know. Either way its equally difficult to see too many punters turning out in 2010 to fork out their hard-earned to see this sought of drivel-rugby.
The vacuum in creative onfield leadership is best exemplified by comparing the styles of the two old nemeses George Smith and Phil Waugh. Smith is the thinking man's consumate professional rugby player. If he can't go thru he'll go around. If he can't go around, he'll create an opportunity for someone else to go around, etc. etc. Phil Waugh, for all his positive attributes, is the Pythonesque Black Knight. If he can't go thru, he'll try to go thru again, and again, and again: "Go on, have another go, its only a flesh wound."
It doesn't stop here tho. The Tahs need to fill two key roles, the number 10 and attack coach. Hangers, well 'nuff said. Beale is clearly not the answer. In his cameo this evening he again showed that he is not S14 standard. Clueless in attack and and absolute rubbish in defence. Clueless attack being this year's theme, apparently, enter Scott Wisemantel. Obviously, Scott's record included something that merited his appointed. Unfortunately, that something hasn't appeared onfield. (Or maybe I just missed it.) Is it him, or is it the cattle he has to work with? Well not having a competent 10 is a disadvantage, but its more widespread than that. The backs appear to have no cohesion and are lacking in basic drills, skills and patterns. Based on all round performance, you'd have to give this guy a C-.
As far as I can see the only positive the Tahs can take out of '09 is Michael Foley. He's taken what was supposed to be a severely depleted forward pack and created a more than competent first phase unit. But, after 9 (whatever) rounds Hickey has still got a bunch of guys numbered 1-15 who can't catch, can't pass and look as tho they met for the first time on the bus going to the game. Some occasional glimpses of individual ability, but a team, NO.
Rant over.