What a superb year it’s been to be a New south Welshman. First the Pura Cup, and now a Super 14 Final. The Waratah’s have been awesome this year, and the entire team and coaching staff deserve our congratulations. It’s hard to pick standouts as the team effort has been phenomonal. But I’ll try anyway.
Usually at times like this I’d manipulate the stats until they’re in our favour, making a convincing argument for why we’re going in with an advantage. While this is generally an easy task with the Baggy Greens and do-able with the Wallabies, in terms of Super Rugby at Jade Stadium it would be an excercise in futility. Apart from blatantly making stuff up there’s no favourable spin I can put on this trip – each metric is stacked massively in favour of the Cantabrians.
With the old chesnuts of prior form, stats and bookie’s odds abandoning me, I’ve instead chosen instead to appeal to Patriotism, Team Spirit, and Awesomeness. Damn, we’ve made the final.. is it too much to believe that we could go one more game?
Our scrum has had the best year in memory, always gaining parity and some weeks being totally dominant – winning against the feed (2 x stormers, 1 x reds). It’s hard to seperate the names from some prior acts against England, however Matt Dunning and Al Baxter have been superb at tighthead, while Benn Robinson has really matured this year to be a combative loosehead. TPN’s throwing is much improved, and his impact at the breakdown can’t be underestimated.while Adam Freier’s pick and go’s are a highlight of his play in the loose.
Dean Mumm while scoring a bunch of tries himself with powerful runs and strong palm-offs has really come of age to make a potent combination with Aussie Dan, who will be sorely missed. Dan’s going to be a monumental loss to the Tahs and Wallabies respectviely, any world XV would have him and Victor locking down.
The backrow have used the ELV’s to their fullest, winning vital turnovers. Phil has been tackling anything that moves, often moving into the backline so he can put the smackdown on an unsuspecting centre. Legal agression has been a standout of our play, with massive hits being dealt out while maintaining an excellent disciplanary record. Two of the hardest men around – Jerry Collins and AJ Venter can speak first hand of the dominance of Beau and Palu in this area after they were both given a comprehensive lesson in pain.
Luke Burgess has been a revelation at scrum-half. His pace electric, decision making astute and ability to back himself provided the Tahs with some much needed spark. Perhaps the biggest difference he makes however is the basics of scrum-halfing. He gobbles all the shit ball that comes out the back of the scrum and serves up a golden platter for Kurtley. For me the highlight of his year was in attrocious conditions in Pretoria where a slipery ball was flying all over the place, yet he somehow managed to clean it up for Kurts to concentrate on distributing. Plus it’s satisfying to take one back from the Brumbies. Josh who?
Much of our success this year has come in spite of poor kicking. I don’t blame Kurtley for this however, in fact I think he’s had a wonderful season. He seems to have learnt to do less when required, happy to get the forwards to run it up rather than go for the hero try every play. He’s playing percentage rugby and growing each game into a fine distributor. I even think he’ll turn into a fine kicker, he’s just not there yet. I’ve maintained all along that letting Peter Hewat go with a year remaining on his contract was a mistake, I still don’t know how but we’ve made the final!
Tom Carter is another who’s efforts have been mostly under-rated though he’s picked up some positive press in recent weeks. His hard running, solid defence and resiliance to injuries have provided a bankable inside centre that gets the job done.
Rob Horney, well what a champunisher. As the 2nd quickest guy in the country he manages to rush opposition defences and has put on some memorable hits on opposite numbers. Just last week he gave Francois injured ribs a real test, as well as smashing the Sharks 13 for a vital turnover that led to Lote’s try.
Lote Tuqiri has had his best season ever. Always drawing in two tacklers and sometimes that’s not enough. He’s not scared to get involved in the dirty work, and has been a real leader amongst such a young backline. Richie McCaw, if you’re reading please pull Lote’s hair. Pump Up Lote.
Lachie Turner has had a mixed season. Some call it second season blues, while I’d argue he’s just had some bad weeks while being mostly awesome. He’s been much better since returning to the wing, I reckon his kicking out of hand has been a bit of a weakness at the back, however that’ll improve with experience. Full marks for his payout on Waratah Jesus, was worth the price of admission. Funny f’ucker.
Sam Norton-Knight’s return from injury – he’s proved to be a reliable kicking option and reliever of pressure, as well as astute positional play at fullback. He’s also provided spark at different times moving into flyhalf and mixing up the attacking patterns, and helped Kurtley defend that 10/12 channel when required.
A team is only ever as good as their bench, and in a competition as demanding as the Super 14. David Lyons, Timana Tahu, Beau Robinson, Will Caldwell, Brett Sheehan, Alfi Mafi, and Ben Jacobs have all played their part in getting us to the final.
Finally, Sir Les Kiss take a bow. You certainly get my vote for coach of the year. Our defensive structures have been superb all year and have most definately got us where we are today.
It may well be a fantasy world that I’m living in but I believe I can fly. I believe we can beat the Crusaders. Well, maybe I can fly. Damn it, I’m going to Christchurch to support the team! Go The Tahs!
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