Last Tuesday the Waratahs had a hit-out before their Christmas break.
“Hit-out” was the right description of what happened because there were several big hits as players competed for later favouritism. Although they were wearing their body suits a few ended up with dings.
Because of the NRC and the need to rest players, the Waratahs’ pre-season is shorter than is normal, and starting later, as it is for all Aussie Super Rugby teams. With only five weeks of training before Christmas, instead of ten, it is more condensed and the hit-outs are happening earlier.
All the healthy contracted players, and others listed as team members on the Waratahs’ website, were mixed up with players training with them: one being Auvasa Faleali’i who was likely to be contracted as third-string scrum half.
Other invited trainees in the hit-out included Jack Dempsey, Jim Stewart, Henry Clunies-Ross, David Porecki and Matt Philip. Several hopefuls for the Waratahs 2015 Under 20s got a chance to press their claims for that squad as well.
There was also one ringer, an old, fat centre who looked familiar: indeed it was Waratah and Wallabies’ coach Michael Cheika who was playing and coaching at the same time—with assistants Daryl Gibson and Nathan Grey patrolling the edges and giving trenchant advice.
There was a bit of good pre-season form and nobody impressed more than winger Taqele Naiyaravoro, who was hard to handle. Cheika wasn’t afraid to get into rucks but he threw a lousy pass or two and dropped a high ball. He was no chance of making the team.
Some Waratahs did not compete. Tala Gray, who had his knee cleaned out, acted as water boy; Dave Dennis was doing his running training, and Pete Betham was just a spectator.
Will Skelton showed up a couple of weeks ago, nearly a month early, and got flogged by the trainers for his trouble; but the other Wallabies are not due back until the new year. Jacques Potgieter will show up from Japan, later still.
Referee Andrew Lees was also on the park to make sure players did not take the mickey. Nobody got binned but he told me afterwards that a couple came close. Cheika, unlike in his Randwick days, behaved himself on the field. This was a surprise.
One of the purposes of the hit-out was to test them playing with fatigue. It was a hot, humid morning and some of the younger blokes were gasping for breath when they finished.
Cheika called the players together at the end and ripped into them. It was OK to be exhausted but they shouldn’t show it. If they bent over and had their hands on their knees, or even just had hands on hips or heads—they would do so in a game and opponents would realise they were tired and get an advantage. If they did that in practice, he would use other players on game day.
Needless to say: that was the sanitised version and the young fellows’ eyes were popping as they learned a few new words in the tongue-lashing. But the established players and the Waratahs’ staffers were laughing inwardly; they knew it was just Cheika’s way of revving them up.
Interview with Sam Lousi
Following the hit-out I had a few words in the shade with second-row recruit Sam Lousi, after he got his breath back. Sam had been playing for the Auckland Warriors league team before being recruited by Cheika. He had played a bit of rugby in his school days he said, but it was just mucking around with his school mates and it had no benefits now.
It’s a big step leaving league and your home life in Auckland isn’t it Sam?
It was hard moving away from the family as the youngest. At first it was tough but I stayed with Tala Gray when I got here and he helped me out. The boys made me feel I belonged when I started training and now I feel comfortable with them.
Did you think about switching to rugby union earlier or did you just decide when Michael Cheika approached you?
A bit of both: actually I like watching rugby and I always wondered what it was like to play it. When Cheika approached me I took the chance with both hands and now here I am.
You’ve got big boots to fill replacing Kane Douglas – how are you going in the lineouts?
He’s a quality player. The boys are helping me out with the lineouts and the props do a good job of lifting me. The whole pack is helping with the bits and pieces to help me get better every time I do things.
What about the rucks?
They’re pretty physical; I got bunged up this morning [laughs]. When I started training I was ready to run back ten metres but I soon realised I had to line up with the other boys.
Do you find rugby union to be more technical than league?
There’s a lot to learn in the set pieces and even the rucks. Don’t get me wrong: league is very difficult to play as well but yeah, rugby is more technical.
The Tahs’ Team Tonga has another member – have Cliffy Palu and Tatafu Polota-Nau taken you under their wings?
It’s been good for me to be with them; but it’s not just the Tonga boys: the boys from the other cultures—all the Waratahs—have been great to me.
Michael Cheika is supposed to be scary but he’s a bit of a pussycat isn’t he?
He’s pretty scary [laughs]. On the training field he’s scary, but off the field he’s a nice guy.
Photos by Lee Grant
.
