Ahead of the 2017 season we take a closer look at each of the 18 teams participating in this year’s tournament. Next up, the Waratahs.
The Waratahs have lost some valuable players and aren’t coming off their best season, but the men from Sydney still have the potential to vie for higher echelons than they reached in 2016.
They still harbour some of the most dangerous men in the rugby world and if they are utilised correctly the ‘Tahs could rediscover some former glory.
Last year: The Waratahs had a season to forget in 2016. They failed to qualify for the finals stages, finished second in a weak Australian conference and ranked a dismal 10th on the overall Super Rugby points standings. And with danger-men such as Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale, Michael Hooper and Bernard Foley their poor showing was particularly disappointing.
Their failure to make it into the play-offs could have been decided as early as Round 8 as by then the men from Sydney had already lost twice to their greatest foe, the Brumbies. They suffered their first loss to the Brumbies in Round 2, going down 32-15 in Canberra before losing to them once again in Sydney 26-20. Considering how tight the race was trying to make the play-offs these games definitely impeded on the Waratahs’ chances. A home 21-17 loss to the Rebels didn’t help either.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom though, as they did pull off some impressive results. They gave the Western Force a hiding in Perth to the tune of 49-13, before a close 32-30 victory over the Stormers in Cape Town and a 45-25 win over an in-form Chiefs outfit at home. Their biggest result came, when they displayed their true attacking prowess with ball in hand, against the Sunwolves in Tokyo winning 57-12, scoring nine tries in the process.
This year: Daryl Gibson’s men don’t have a much easier run this year. They’ve lost some key players going into 2017 that might have a serious affect on their prospects. The loss of Beale will be massive for the Sydney side as he is lethal with ball in hand, has a rocket launcher for a boot and organised their backline brilliantly. Other Waratahs talismen have also departed from the East Coast side with Wycliff Palu joining Japanese team Toyota Verblitz, while prop Benn Robinson has retired and Tatafu Polota-Nau has moved to the Western Force.
Their fixture list doesn’t look kind as after a game at home against the Force they travel to Johannesburg to take on 2016 finalists the Lions who will be keen to make statement against the Waratahs. They have to play a burgeoning Sharks team in Durban before a hostile reception from the Brumbies when they return home to Sydney a week later. They do, however have a comfortable mid-season oasis with a bye, before home games against the Kings and Blues and an away game against the Reds before another bye.
Key players: Line-busting, aerial-dominating, try-scoring mastermind, Israel Folau, is the envy of every coach. His mercurial influence in the game is a spectacle to watch as he seems to have a sixth sense for predicting where a game is going to go and capitalising on his premonitions. The code-crosser ranked first in tries scored last season after crossing the whitewash 11 times. He also ranked fourth in the competition statistics for offloads and metres run proving he constantly keep his side on the front-foot on attack.
Michael Hooper is a special breed of animal. The Collaroy-born tearaway combines a junkyard-dog scavenger mentality with an unprecedented Herculean leadership and knack for inspiring his troops, making him one of the most important players in Australian rugby. Hooper’s aptitude for getting around the park adds to his impeccable persona on the field, making vital steals and tackles in his side’s times of need.
The cool head of Bernard Foley has carried the Waratahs to success before as his tally of points racked up throughout the 2014 Super Rugby season led the Sydney side to Super Rugby glory, typified when he kicked the final penalty in the dying minutes of the final. His goal-kicking acumen will be well appreciated in 2017.
Players to watch: Giant Fiji-born Taqele Naiyaravoro will be back with a bang in Super Rugby after playing two games for the ‘Tahs last season. He has a nose for the try-line and has perfected the art of using his tremendous size and quick foot work in unison to dart around his opponents. In only 150 minutes last season he scored two tries, and we can expect Naiyaravoro will fire once again.
Will Skelton is back from his short stint with the Saracens and expect a far more refined player to return. The titanic second-row’s stature was enough to get him selected when he first played for the ‘Tahs but the lock has now improved his crash ball abilities as well as added a cheeky offload to his game.
Prospects: The Waratahs’ aim this season will be to finish top of the Australian conference which is possible considering the players at their disposal. It might be more difficult than last year as the Reds and Rebels are expected to have better seasons. But a play-off and semi-final berth is definitely within their reach but they won’t be serious contenders for silverware.
Players In: Cameron Clark (Australia Sevens), Irae Simone (Sydney Rays), Mack Mason (Queensland Country), Michael Wells (Brumbies), David McDuling (Sharks), Damien Fitzpatrick (Lyon), Sekope Kepu (Bordeaux), Sam Needs (NSW Country Eagles)
Players Out: Henry Clunies-Ross (Lyon), Zac Guildford (released), Kurtley Beale (Wasps), Matthew Carraro (released), Jim Stewart (not named), Wycliff Palu (Toyota Verblitz), Dave Dennis (Exeter Chiefs), Sam Lousi (Hurricanes), James Hilterbrand (Sydney Rays), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Force), Cameron Orr (Gloucester), Benn Robinson (retired), Jeremy Tilse (released)
Fixtures
Saturday, February 25 v Force (Allianz Stadium, Sydney)
Saturday, March 4 v Lions (Emirates Airlines Park)
Friday, March 10 Sharks v Waratahs (Kings Park)
Saturday, March 18 v Brumbies (Allianz Stadium)
Friday, March 24 v Rebels (AAMI Park)
Sunday, April 2 v Crusaders (Allianz Stadium)
Friday, April 7 Hurricanes v Waratahs (TBC)
Round 8: BYE
Saturday, April 22 v Kings (Allianz Stadium)
Saturday, April 29 v Reds (Suncorp Stadium)
Saturday, May 6 v Blues (Allianz Stadium)
Round 12: BYE
Sunday, May 21 v Rebels (Allianz Stadium)
Saturday, May 27 v Highlanders (Forsyth Barr Stadium)
Saturday, June 3 v Chiefs (TBC)
Saturday, July 8 v Jaguares (Allianz Stadium)
Saturday, July 15 v Force (nib Stadium)
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