Now that the season is finally over let's look at how the season went the way it did.
The Tahs started poorly failing to beat a Beauden Barret less Hurricanes. They limped along throughout the season getting close on may occasions with their much improved defence. Their attack let them down and the pointless and aimless kicking throughout the games showed nothing.
With so many experienced heads and wallaby players in the side there wasn't really an excuse for the Tahs season. It comes down to the plan and that rests with Gibson. 3 out of 4 seasons so far have been a failure under him and yet he gets another extension. How many other organisations would be happy with the results and then reward the coach??
This is what I have seen in the good, the bad and the ugly of 2019:
The Good:
HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) is starting to look the goods
Swinton adds aggression to the pack
Tandy teaching the Tahs that defence is not a dirty word
The fact that the season is over
Beating the Crusaders
The Bad:
Recruitment and retention. A token big man does not improve the pack that needs mongrel and balance.
The game plan of pointless kicking, lack of go forward etc.
Latu and his brain explosion suspension
Nearly losing to the Sunwolves the first time.
The attack. The Tahs really lacked attack this season. I know Big T is gone but still the attack looked lost so many times
The Ugly:
Gibson getting a contract extension before a ball is kicked
The light mobile pack getting repeatedly owned
The Israel Folau saga
The Latu drink driving charge
Gibson getting a contract extension before a ball is kicked
Cron leaving
Gibson getting a contract extension before a ball is kicked
Losing to the Sunwolves
With so many players off contract and several already gone, this is the chance for the Tahs to really recruit in areas they need.
The problem is the Tahs have apparently started to negotiate to keep so many of the players that have produced the same results.
I think that next year if recruitment mentality isn't changed then it will be more of the same.
Gibson needs to go. He should never have seen past 2017. 2018 was Big T and Folau. His game plan, his recruitment, his pointless light and mobile pack, his refusal to change, his lack of results.
Over to you Tahs management.