Intense competition for positions keeps Waratahs hungry
Jamie Pandaram
February 21, 2011
RESOLUTE Waratahs back-rower Dave Dennis says Wycliff Palu has a fight on his hands for a starting spot following a powerful display against the Melbourne Rebels last Friday night.
Dennis was a late replacement for Palu, who has a hamstring injury, but will not be content to simply go back to the bench once Palu returns.
''There is definitely always motivation to try to crack a starting spot regardless of who is in the team. I came into it knowing that there was plenty of competition in the back row with Phil Waugh, Patrick McCutcheon, Ben Mowen and 'Cliffy','' Dennis said.
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''It will be pretty hotly contested, but that doesn't mean I'm just waiting for him to come back, I'm going to try to hold on to the jersey.
''And a bloke like Cliff wants an environment where he has to work hard to regain his spot. He is not the type of bloke who wants things handed to him. He is still working really hard.
''Everyone in the squad is quite aware that, with our depth, every position is going to be hotly contested.''
Dennis will hang on to the blindside flanker's position for Saturday's clash against Queensland, with Palu being treated with caution. The intimidating No.8 is likely to return in round three against the Crusaders, but coach Chris Hickey said Palu would not be a guaranteed starter.
''Ben Mowen and Dave Dennis had strong games. We're fortunate, that is the value of having depth in your squad,'' Hickey said. ''Cliffy will keep working hard, and when he is ready, he may come back from the bench depending on how the team is travelling.''
After the 43-0 demolition at AAMI Park, another strong display by the Tahs back row will make it difficult to instantly change the line-up.
Mowen moved from blindside to No.8 against the Rebels, and with Dennis coming in successfully, the pair are likely to duel for the No.6 jersey once Palu - a proven gamebreaker - is fully fit.
Dennis, who has also played in the second row, hopes his versatility will work in his favour for a starting position, rather than being pigeonholed as a super-sub.
''Having that versatility helps regardless of whether they have me coming off the bench,'' he said. ''I can still start, and if they're replacing a lock [second-rower], I can move into that position. My No.1 spot is six.
''The reality is with this competition, 16 rounds, there's going to be changes, injuries, and it's just a matter of making the most of your opportunity when you do get a start. I've worked hard to be a part of it, I'm comfortable playing at No.6, I would be covering any area. I think there are people who know what offer to a football team, and there's people who watch rugby who haven't seen much of me - last year was my first full year of Super 14, and I'm looking to improve on that.''
Most pleasing for the squad on Friday was that it was first time the Waratahs have held an opponent scoreless in Super rugby.
Dennis said his teammates attitude towards one another had added a new steel to their defence. ''A lot of us have played together for a long time, we've got a lot of respect for each other and when you know that the guy inside and outside you is doing their best for you, you don't want to let each other down and give away that stupid penalty and really be ruthless in that area,'' he said.
Hickey said this weekend's game would give a truer indication of their defence.
''Queensland will challenge us in many more ways,'' he said. ''We conceded too much possession in the first 30 minutes and if we do that against the Reds we will pay the price.
''The Will Genia-Quade Cooper combination is the heartbeat of the Reds. That clash against Luke Burgess and Berrick Barnes will go a long way in shaping the result of the game, and Digby Ioane is a big threat all around the field.''
NSW did not sustain any injuries in the game, but the news is not so positive for the Rebels, who host the Brumbies on Friday.
