Lane switches from Reds to Waratahs

Updated October 11, 2012 13:49:03

NSW coach Michael Cheika has moved quickly to bolster his halves stocks at the Super Rugby franchise with Queensland five-eighth Sam Lane among four additions to the Waratahs squad for 2013.

The quartet of Lane, half-back Matt Lucas, lock Jed Holloway and hooker Luke Holmes have snapped up four of the five extended playing squad spots for next season.

Lane, 21, made his debut for the Reds in this year's Super Rugby competition before his season was cut short due to a knee injury.

He is the son of former Wallabies centre and 1999 Rugby World Cup-winning assistant coach Tim Lane and will be back-up to Berrick Barnes and Bernard Foley at number 10 following the departure to Italy of Daniel Halangahu.

Lucas, 20, is the younger brother of Queensland utility back Ben Lucas and has been a star for the Australian Sevens team.

He joins the squad as the third half-back behind Brendan McKibbin and Grayson Hart following the departure of Sarel Pretorius back to his native South Africa after just one season.

"As the youngest of our three half-backs within the squad, Matt gives us balance in the position and succession planning for the future as we look to constantly bring new talent through the ranks," said Cheika, who was appointed as coach four weeks ago.

Former Randwick hardman Cheika is particularly excited about the addition of 19-year-old Holloway, a Shute Shield rookie of the year from the Southern Districts club in Sydney.

"Jed is a very impressive young player," said Cheika.

"As a lock or back rower, to be so highly rated at such a young age is a good sign as typically these positions are late bloomers.

"He's a country player, full of enthusiasm and like Kane Douglas, Paddy Ryan and Pat McCutcheon, he brings a rawness and freshness to the team that we hope will help rough up the competition in the forward pack."

Rounding out the recruits is 28-year-old Holmes, who has 28 Super Rugby caps after being a foundation player with both the Western Force and Melbourne Rebels.

He is the older brother of former Waratahs half-back Josh Holmes and the third hooker in the squad along with Wallaby Tatafu Polota-Nau and Damien Fitzpatrick.

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted October 11, 2012 13:49:03

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Waratahs chairman steps down

Updated July 30, 2012 18:33:20

Edwin Zemancheff has stepped down as club chairman of the New South Wales Waratahs, the club confirmed on Monday evening.

The Waratahs had their second-worst ever Super Rugby campaign in 2012, one of three Australian sides in the bottom five.

Nick Farr Jones, 1991 World Cup-winning Wallabies skipper and the current New South Wales Rugby Union chairman - a post Zemancheff held from 2008 to 2010 - called for the Waratahs to re-engage with a disenfranchised public at the weekend.

Changes are a certainty now at the club who is still searching for its first Super Rugby title as it heads into the 18th campaign in 2013.

"Having completed his objective of leading the new organisation through two full seasons, Zemancheff's decision to step down allows him to pursue his other non-executive directorships," a Waratahs statement read.

"A decision on his replacement will be made in due course. No further comment will be made until this time."

Zemancheff has held the post since December 2009.

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, nsw

First posted July 30, 2012 18:30:28

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Canes add to Waratahs' woes

Updated June 02, 2012 22:17:48

New South Wales slumped to its sixth straight defeat after going down 33-12 to the Hurricanes in the wet at Sydney Football Stadium.

It was the Waratahs' 10th loss in total for the season, the hosts going tryless while the Hurricanes managed four through Julian Savea, Motu Matu'u, captain Conrad Smith and Chris Eaton.

Eaton's try gave the Hurricanes a vital bonus point and they slot into third place on the New Zealand conference standings and remain in the hunt for a wildcard berth for the play-offs.

Waratahs fly half Berrick Barnes, who provided the hosts with their only points via four penalty goals, admitted poor defence helped the Hurricanes to their victory.

"I wish I knew the answers," he told Grandstand.

"It's just been a frustrating year and tonight didn't get any better I suppose. In our attack we created some opportunities, there was just too much dropped ball but our defence hurt us tonight.

"That was poor, 33 points, we're a lot better than that."

Barnes says the Waratahs need to use the late-season break to go back to the drawing board.

"We've got a month off now to try and rectify things and finish the year on a positive with two games," he said.

Smith praised his side's performance, feeling it displayed the Hurricanes' greater maturity this season.

"That's a huge effort," he said.

"We've played some good footy when we've had front-foot ball and things were all going our way.

"But I knew tonight was going to be different, even if it didn't rain, and then the rain just added to it, so tonight was just about grinding it out and that takes a lot of character.

"Maybe at the start of the year we may not have been able to play in conditions like that but the team has really grown and that was a great win for us."

The Waratahs dominated possession and territory, particularly in the second half with their pack finally giving them momentum, and dominating the set piece, but could not crack the Hurricanes' defence and made numerous handling errors.

Matu'u's try came after another Waratahs turnover while on attack and pressure from a kick chase gave the Hurricanes some rare field position in the second half.

Smith scored with just over 10 minutes remaining to silence the modest crowd.

Eaton grabbed the bonus-point try right on full-time after the visitors got a penalty at halfway and kicked into the corner to set up an attacking line-out, from which the replacement half-back was able to burst over.

Julian Savea's try was the highlight of an error-strewn first half, in which the wet conditions denied the crowd any chance of witnessing a display of free-flowing rugby.

Barnes slotted three first-half penalties for the home side. Hurricanes fly half Beauden Barrett converted Savea's try and slotted two penalties to give the visitors a 13-9 lead at the break.

Barnes added an early second-half penalty for the Waratahs, but the home side squandered far too many opportunities, with audible sighs of exasperation from the crowd evident towards the end of the match.

Hurricanes: 33 (J Savea, M Matu'u, C Smith, C Eaton tries; B Barrett 2 cons, 3 pens)

Waratahs: 12 (B Barnes 4 pens)

ABC/Reuters

Tags: rugby-union, super-rugby, sport, sydney-2000

First posted June 02, 2012 21:22:10

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Top Waratahs back coach Foley

Updated May 28, 2012 19:15:14

Senior Waratahs players have backed coach Michael Foley, who says it will be up to others to decide if he holds his job at the helm of the Super Rugby franchise.

New South Wales is out of finals contention with three games to play, having lost five successive matches and slumping to 11th on the ladder.

Injured skipper Rocky Elsom supported Foley but was not surprised at the mounting speculation over his coach's job.

"It's to be expected. You don't get results, you look at the guys in the team and obviously Foles is a part of that," Elsom said on Monday after the team arrived back from South Africa.

"Of course he has the players' support, but you can expect those kinds of comments."

Prop and acting skipper Benn Robinson also stressed Foley enjoyed total backing from his playing group.

"We've got 100 per cent support behind Foles," Robinson said.

Asked if he was completely confident he would continue in his role Foley said: "I wouldn't necessarily say that, I think that's up to other people to decide".

Waratahs officials stressed there would be no emergency board meeting on Tuesday, as had been reported in at least one newspaper.

Questioned whether he thought he had the support of the board, Foley said: "That's something they would have to answer and I'm not going to speculate on that".

However Foley was adamant speculation over his position was neither distracting nor disconcerting.

"The rumours you can get past in the sense that you are more focused on trying to get the result," Foley said.

Foley and Robinson emphasised the Waratahs would not lack motivation in their remaining games despite no longer having the incentive of making the finals.

"I believe the appetite is undiminished for the contest, we're incredibly disappointed with the results, but desperate to go out there and turn that around," Foley said.

Former Wallabies skipper Elsom, who is unsure how long his current shoulder injury will keep him out, was omitted from the Australian train-on squad announced on Sunday.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said he hoped Elsom still saw himself as part of the group if it was something he still felt passionate about.

Asked if he still had the passion to play for Australia Elsom said: "Yes of course".

Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell, who made his comeback from an ankle injury last weekend, could play club rugby during the Super Rugby break as he looks to push for a Test recall later in the year.

"I think certainly the (Rugby) Championship wouldn't be out of the realms of possibility (for my Test comeback)," Mitchell said.

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, sydney-2000, australia, nsw

First posted May 28, 2012 19:15:14

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Waratahs denied in classic

Updated May 27, 2012 06:49:20

The Waratahs victory gave up a 13-point advantage to lose in heartbreaking fashion to the Central Cheetahs 35-34 on Sunday (AEST).

Willie Le Roux's brilliant 57th-minute try, which quickly followed a try by prop WP Nel, came after the Cheetahs attacked from the restart, replacement fly half Sias Ebersohn chipping over the defence and Le Roux gathering and kicking again before reclaiming the ball and dashing over the try-line.

The Waratahs, who led 34-21 in the 48th minute after scoring four tries in the first half, can look back on a disappointing second half and their failure to convert two late chances to claim victory.

Fly half Berrick Barnes was short with an angled 55-metre penalty in the 76th minute and, as regular time came to an end, they had a maul inside the Cheetahs 22 but they could not get the ball out to Barnes for a drop goal after great work by Cheetahs loose forwards Ashley Johnson and Heinrich Brussow.

The Waratahs took advantage of 18 missed tackles in the first half and particularly poor defence around the fringes to rush to the four-try bonus point in 33 minutes.

Flanker Dave Dennis scored the first try in the fourth minute when he pounced on a loose ball behind the try-line and he set up the second for lock Sitaleki Timani.

The Cheetahs drew level at 14-14 with two tries in four minutes, the first coming from a wonderfully-worked move off a lineout finished off by scrumhalf Piet van Zyl.

Le Roux's brilliant attacking running then started and finished a move in the 19th minute with fly half Riaan Smit's second successful conversion tying the scores.

The Waratahs edged ahead again in the 22nd minute when Brendan McKibbin kicked a penalty after the Cheetahs took him out at a ruck, but soon afterwards his pass was intercepted by hooker Adriaan Strauss and the Cheetahs captain ran in a try from halfway.

The Waratahs scored twice late in the first half, winger Drew Mitchell showing great skill to keep a kick in play and centre Rob Horne finishing the move off with a 45-metre run to the tryline and Timani scored his second try after good work by fullback Bernard Foley and number 8 Wycliff Palu.

Nel went low and hard to score for the Free Staters in the 54th minute before Le Roux floored the Waratahs with another moment of brilliance.His moment of inspiration earned the Cheetahs their fifth win of the season, the most they have achieved in a Super Rugby campaign.

Cheetahs 35 - Tries: W le Roux 2, P van Zyl, A Strauss, WP Nel. Cons: R Smit 4, S Ebersohn.

Waratahs 34 - Tries: S Timani 2, D Dennis, R Horne. Conversions: B McKibbin (4). Penalties: McKibbin 2.

Reuters

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, nsw

First posted May 27, 2012 06:36:27

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Foley returns for Waratahs

Updated May 17, 2012 13:45:41

New South Wales has named full-back Bernard Foley to make his return from injury against the Stormers at Newlands on Sunday morning (AEST).

Foley has missed three matches because of a shoulder injury and is a welcomed addition, as the Waratahs attempt to kick-start their Super Rugby campaign.

Daniel Halangahu makes way for Foley and elsewhere in the backs Brendan McKibbin returns to the starting XV at half-back in place of South African marquee signing Sarel Pretorius.

Sitaleki Timani replaces Kane Douglas in the second row and Dave Dennis will wear the number eight jersey with Wycliff Palu moving to the bench as part of the back row rotation.

Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau has been bracketed with John Ulugia with a decision to be made closer to match day on his availability because of the head knock he suffered against the Brumbies in round 11.

The Waratahs sit third on the Australian conference standings, 12 points shy of leaders the Brumbies.

The Stormers have lost only one match this season and are undefeated at home, and they hold down second position on the South African conference behind the Bulls.

Waratahs squad:

Bernard Foley, Atieli Pakalani, Rob Horne, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tom Kingston, Berrick Barnes, Brendan McKibbin, Dave Dennis, Chris Alcock, Rocky Elsom (captain), Sitaleki Timani, Dean Mumm, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau/John Ulugia, Benn Robinson

Reserves: John Ulugia/John Mann-Rea, Jeremy Tilse, Kane Douglas, Jono Jenkins, Wycliff Palu, Sarel Pretorius, Daniel Halangahu

Tags: rugby-union, super-rugby, sport, south-africa, sydney-2000

First posted May 17, 2012 13:45:41

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Palu stays with Waratahs

Updated May 07, 2012 19:29:55

Waratahs coach Michael Foley has hailed Wycliff Palu's decision to extend his contract with New South Wales as a massive vote of confidence in the Super Rugby outfit's current roster.

Palu will remain with the Tahs for at least another season after signing a new one-year deal.

"It's a great endorsement for the guys that he plays with," Foley said.

"They're a good bunch of blokes and he wants to keep playing with them.

"He's one of those rare forwards that has that x-factor, he can do things in a game that other people can't."

The 29-year-old Palu, capped 38 times by the Wallabies, feels another season in the New South Wales and Australian system will help him become the dominant force he was before being hampered by injuries in recent times.

"At the moment I've finally got back to where I am playing footy week in, week out, and if I was to leave, all that hard work would be undone," Palu said.

"After another six months playing here, and another full pre-season I think I'll definitely be back to where I want to be."

The dynamic number eight, who attracted interest from Japanese clubs, said that playing overseas is an option he is keen to explore when his next contract expires at the end of 2013 season.

After a frustrating 23-6 loss to the Brumbies last weekend, Foley said his team is looking forward to returning home to the Sydney Football Stadium.

"We can't get away from the fact that we are very disappointed about the result from the weekend," he said.

"We spoke today about significance of playing in front of our home crowd."

In-form winger Tom Kingston remains a key injury concern for the Waratahs as they prepare for Friday night's clash with the Bulls.

"He got a nasty quad cork, which at the moment is the thing stopping him from training, not his hamstring," Foley said.

Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, who suffered a heavy head-knock against the Brumbies, will also be assessed later in the week.

"He's not too bad today although we sent him home so he could take a little bit longer to recuperate," Foley said.

"We're hopeful, but we won't be making any hasty calls."

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, sport, rugby-union, sydney-2000, australia

First posted May 07, 2012 17:06:19

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Desperate Waratahs make changes

Updated May 08, 2012 15:02:59

New South Wales assistant coach Alan Gaffney has confirmed the Waratahs will take a reshuffled line-up into their must-win clash with the Bulls on Friday night.

The Waratahs trained with a centre pairing of Rob Horne and Adam Ashley-Cooper on Tuesday, with that combination headlining a number of changes for the squad.

Marquee player Sarel Pretorius may also replace Brendan McKibbin at half-back.

Horne has missed the past two matches while serving a suspension for a lifting tackle on Kurtley Beale, but is certain to be included for the Sydney match when the team is named, likely on Wednesday.

Gaffney admitted the changes needed to be made after a less than impressive showing in last weekend's 23-6 loss to the Brumbies which leaves them in serious danger of missing the finals.

"We've changed personnel a bit obviously," Gaffney said on Tuesday.

"We just thought we had to change it up a bit and give us a different look.

"With the way it's looking at the present time, Coops and Horney trained in the centres today. We're looking for a bit of go forward."

Gaffney said the team had no excuses for their meek showing against the Brumbies and admitted they couldn't afford to play the same style against the impressive Bulls, who sit on top of the South African conference.

"Extremely disappointing last week, we know that, we haven't got to dwell on it," Gaffney said.

"It was just one of those nights that didn't gel. We didn't get front foot ball basically the whole night.

"We've just got to go out there and be more accurate. We can't go through a game and play with gay abandon.

"We do want to get the ball wide and we want to be expansive, but there's a time to do that and a time not to do that."

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, sydney-2000, australia

First posted May 08, 2012 14:46:40

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Shorn Chiefs rout Waratahs

Updated March 31, 2012 20:02:54

A shaven-headed Chiefs side bided its time before smashing New South Wales in the second half to win their Super Rugby clash 30-13 in Hamilton on Saturday.

The Chiefs players, sporting sheer hair-cuts to raise money for charity, scored two tries after the break and conceded only three points to notch their fourth win of the season from five matches.

"It's good to get back in front of the home crowd and grind out a win," Chiefs captain Craig Clarke said in a pitchside interview.

"That's good to just be playing winning rugby, it's fun to be a part of (but) we're off on a road trip now and we've got a lot of hard work in front of us," he said of their three-match tour of Australia and South Africa.

The Waratahs held more than 72 per cent of the territory in the first half but still found themselves trailing 13-10 at the break.

Winger Tom Kingston put the visitors on the board in the fifth minute with a try, slicing through a pack of players to take a quick inside pass and reaching his arms behind him to plant the ball on the line.

The Chiefs made the most of their few chances, however, and levelled at 7-7 after livewire winger Tim Nanai-Williams cut the Waratahs defence to shreds with a breathtaking run through midfield.

Nanai-Williams's incursion allowed the Chiefs to spread the ball wide where full-back Robbie Robinson crossed in the left corner.

Aaron Cruden slotted a 47-metre penalty kick to cancel out one from Brendan McKibbin a few minutes earlier and the All Black fly half drilled a second after Wycliff Palu strayed offside directly in front of the posts.

The Waratahs were frustrated by several fruitless drives to the line in the final minutes of the first half, and had the wind taken out of their sails minutes after the break when Sona Taumalolo crossed for the Chiefs' second try.

Sonny Bill Williams dribbled a poor kick straight into a defender's legs but the deflection cannoned into the path of charging outside centre Richard Kahui, who scooped up the ball and fed it wide to prop Taumalolo for a soft try in the right corner.

Cruden slotted his third penalty kick in the 62nd minute to stretch the advantage to 10 points and flanker Liam Messam delivered the match-sealing try five minutes later after a demoralising turnover by the Waratahs.

Replacement Sam Cane intercepted a pass out of a ruck intended for Sarel Pretorius and fed Tawera Kerr-Barlow, who sprinted down the right wing before passing inside to Messam for an easy try.

Cruden converted to maintain a perfect six-from-six kicking game and a fatigued Waratahs side never looked like clawing their way back into the game.

Chiefs: 30 (L Messam, R Robinson, A Taumalolo tries; A Cruden 3/3 conversions, 3 penalty goals)

Waratahs: 13 (T Kingston try; B McKibbin 1/1 conversions, 2 penalty goals)

Reuters

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, new-zealand, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted March 31, 2012 20:02:54

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Force stun lacklustre Waratahs

Updated March 17, 2012 22:51:08

Western Force posted their first win of the season and consigned the New South Wales Waratahs to their worst start to a Super Rugby campaign in 15 years.

Debutant full-back Dave Harvey enjoyed a dream start to his Super Rugby career as the Force squeezed out a spirited 21-20 victory in the Australian conference derby at Sydney Football Stadium.

Harvey, the 29-year-old nephew of Australian cricket great Neil Harvey, contributed 16 points from a try, conversion and three penalty goals.

And the two-times Ken Catchpole Medallist as Sydney club rugby's best and fairest player produced his starring role in front of family and friends just days after signing a four-week contract for the injury-depleted Force.

The Gordon playmaker was not the only debutant to enjoy a memorable night out, with winger Samu Wara crossing for the match-winning try in the 64th minute.

"Very proud of the team and the way we gutsed it out," Force captain and openside flanker David Pocock said in a pitchside interview.

"It's been a tough time as a group but we know where we are going and we have hung pretty tough and we have got our first win."

While the Force will be rejoicing after finally breaking their duck, the Waratahs' frustrations continue.

After suffering similarly narrow defeats against the high-flying Highlanders and titleholders the Queensland Reds, the Tahs have won just one from four, matching the franchise's poor start in 1997.

"We let ourselves down and that is what is going to happen in Super Rugby if you don't turn up on your game," Daniel Halangahu said after the Waratahs' second loss in four matches.

The Waratahs looked to be back in business when five-eighth and captain Halangahu put his side four points in front with successive penalty goals in the 57th and 62nd minutes.

But Wara had the final say when he accepted a nice pass from hooker Nathan Charles and stepped inside Halangahu to dive over in the right corner two minutes later.

Despite proving somewhat of a fortress over the years, the Force's against-the-odds win continues the Perth side's impressive record in Sydney.

They have won two and drawn another of their four away clashes with the Waratahs.

The Waratahs had started well enough, with winger Adam Ashley-Cooper tagging on to a rolling maul and being rewarded for his initiative with the opening try after just five minutes.

Halangahu converted for a 7-0 lead.

Harvey notched his first points in Super Rugby with an easy 10th-minute penalty goal to reduce the deficit to four.

He then benefited from an inside off-load from fly half James Stannard to cross and convert to give the Force a surprise 10-7 lead.

New South Wales regained the advantage just before the break with a fortuitous try to winger Tom Kingston.

Tahs scrum-half Sarel Pretorius appeared to knock the ball out of the hands of his Force opposite Brett Sheehan, but New Zealand referee Jonathon White ruled play on.

Pretorius toed the ball ahead and Kingston, with all the time in the world, calmly regathered and dived over in the corner.

Halangahu's conversion had the Waratahs four points in front before Harvey's second penalty in the 40th minute made it a one-point ball game at half-time.

Ashley-Cooper had a try denied early in the second half when centre Rob Horne was penalised for obstruction before Harvey put the Force briefly ahead again with a penalty in the 53rd minute.

The Tahs briefly regained the lead, only for Wara to crash the party late.

Force: 21 (D Harvey, S Wara tries; Harvey conversion, 3 penalty goals)

Waratahs: 20 (A Ashley-Cooper, T Kingston tries; D Halangahu 2 conversions, 2 penalty goals)

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted March 17, 2012 21:37:17

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Injury crisis for Waratahs

Updated April 23, 2012 16:54:58

New South Wales have lost fullback Bernard Foley and flanker Chris Alcock for Sunday's massive Super Rugby clash with the Crusaders in Sydney.

The Waratahs, who sit second behind the Brumbies in the Australian conference, face a mini-personnel crisis for the match which shapes as the toughest test of their finals credentials.

Scans have revealed Foley aggravated a previous shoulder injury during a tackle gone wrong against Melbourne on Saturday and he's expected to miss up to three weeks.

Foley's loss has been compounded by a foot ligament injury to interchange forward Paddy Ryan and appendicitis surgery for in-form flanker Alcock.

On top of that, centre Rob Horne has been rubbed out for two matches by the judiciary for his dangerous tackle on Kurtley Beale, meaning the Waratahs will have to dig deep for the crucial clash against the New Zealand heavyweights.

Already on the long-term casualty list for the Waratahs are Dan Vickerman (shoulder/leg), Drew Mitchell (ankle), Lachie Turner (hamstring), Damien Fitzpatrick (knee) and Pat McCutcheon (ankle).

NSW are taking some momentum into their meeting with the Crusaders after recording back-to-back wins for the first time this year against the Rebels, however having their depth so severely tested will give an entirely different complexion to Sunday afternoon's game.

The Waratahs showed signs of improvement in their derby victories over the Western Force and Rebels, but the clinical Crusaders, runners-up last year, are on a different level to the Australian conference battlers.

Foley will be assessed on a weekly basis but isn't tipped to return until round 12 at the earliest.

Waratahs coach Michael Foley said he would consider No.10 Berrick Barnes as his new fullback, but Adam Ashley-Cooper shapes as the other logical option.

Prop Ryan sustained a Lisfranc (mid-foot ligament) injury to his right foot.

His recovery is anticipated to take at least six weeks, meaning his return is unlikely until after the international window.

Meanwhile, Alcock underwent surgery on Sunday for appendicitis and, while he will be monitored, he's extremely unlikely to be right to take on the Crusaders.

The last time the Waratahs held an afternoon match this year, they recorded their most impressive win to date against the Sharks.

Sunday promises to be another great spectacle, especially with the curtain-raiser to feature Australia and New Zealand in a one-off Sevens international.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, australia, nsw, sydney-2000

First posted April 23, 2012 16:27:49

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Waratahs want McKibbin to stay in side

Updated March 27, 2012 23:56:52

Waratahs players have backed Brendan McKibbin to retain the starting half-back role ahead of star South African recruit Sarel Pretorius for Saturday's clash against the Chiefs.

The Waratahs will travel to Hamilton on a high after their pressure-busting 34-30 win over the Sharks and are ready to leave everything on the Waikato Stadium pitch with the bye looming the following week.

Scottish-born McKibbin made the most of his surprise first start since 2009 against the Sharks with a man-of-the-match performance and looks set to keep the role against the Chiefs.

Versatile back Adam Ashley-Cooper said the new-look halves pairing of McKibbin and Berrick Barnes looked effective and hinted he thought the former had done enough to hold his spot.

"Over the past when a player performs well in a starting position, I'm sure he does enough to retain that position," Ashley-Cooper said.

"We'll find out (Wednesday) or Thursday what the starting line-up is but the halves did really well.

"McKibbin and Barnes showed a great combination there and that'd be exciting to build on again if they get the opportunity again this week."

Winger Tom Kingston, who scored the winning try against the Sharks, said the Waratahs were blessed to have options in the number nine spot.

"I think Kibbo was incredible on the weekend, to score as many points as he did and to lead the team and his passing was extraordinary," Kingston said.

"And then Sarel, you've seen him at training, he's so energetic ... he's everywhere.

"So to have that energy coming off the bench really offers something and to have those two options is incredible."

With a welcome week off to follow the clash, Kingston and Ashley-Cooper said it was essential the Waratahs registered back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

But it will not be easy against a Chiefs outfit flying on the back of three successive wins and freshened up from the bye last week.

"It's means nothing if we can't go over to Hamilton and repeat that performance," said Ashley Cooper, who turned 28 on Tuesday.

"They're a quality team, with some quality backs.

"The focus for us is not giving them as much space as they deserve.

"With the likes of (Richard) Kahui, Sonny Bill (Williams) and (Aaron) Cruden, it's a very creative and dangerous backline, so for us it's about shutting them down."

Ashley-Cooper described the match against the Sharks as one of the most bruising games he had played in.

The Wallabies star suffered a corked arm, dislocated finger and a knock to his knee but said he would be fine to face the Chiefs.

Waratahs captain Rocky Elsom trained with the squad on Tuesday but is unlikely to be available until after the bye, while Drew Mitchell, Lachie Turner and Dan Vickerman are continuing their rehabilitation from long-term injuries.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, nsw

First posted March 27, 2012 20:27:39

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Waratahs spring captaincy surprise

Updated February 23, 2012 19:27:37

Daniel Halangahu has been elevated from back-up five-eighth to Waratahs captain for Saturday night's Super Rugby opener against Queensland, and he'll most likely return to the bench for round two.

They're unusual circumstances but, for Halangahu, the last-minute reshuffling is nothing new and he says he won't be overawed against the defending premiers.

The 27-year-old is the 17th most experienced player in New South Wales rugby history yet, heading into his eighth season of Super Rugby, he's mostly lived a life of being in and out of the starting side.

Berrick Barnes was to wear the number 10 and skipper the side at the Olympic stadium but, after he failed to recover from a groin strain, Halangahu has an opportunity to show what he can do when he has total charge of the team.

Out of the blue, he's captain, chief playmaker and goalkicker and Halangahu is keen to make the most of it despite Barnes' expected return next week against the Rebels.

"I want to be playing 10 and I often joke that Berrick is the best number 12 in the country and he's a really good 15," said Halangahu.

"He's a great footballer and my role is to push him as much as I can and move him out of the 10 jersey to somewhere else.

"The last two years, I've dealt with some injury ... and it's difficult sometimes when you're not sure where your body's at and you're not sure if you are playing for your position, but that's something I'm quite used to.

"It's an honour ... as a 10, you need to run the team so having the 'c' next to your name ... it's just encouraging me to do my job better."

Halangahu said he won't be doing any ranting and raving in the sheds before the match or at halftime. He'll simply run through tactics and make sure his players are in the right mindset.

With first-choice captain Rocky Elsom sidelined with injury and Barnes out, many expected the job to fall to flanker Dean Mumm who filled in for Phil Waugh on occasion last season.

However, Waratahs coach Michael Foley said from his point of view, it was logical for Halangahu to climb the ladder all the way to captain and Wallabies prop Benn Robinson to be his deputy.

"We planned for that through pre-season. In both pre-season games, Berrick and Daniel captained the sides, so the 10s ran the teams and we had forward vice captains, and we've continued from that point on," Foley said.

"Rocky is our captain for our season and we've taken a bit of time to understand what we'll expect from our match-day captain and, with that in mind, there was obviously a chance Berrick could be replaced and, on that basis during the trials, we rehearsed both guys in that role.

"(Daniel's) job is just to call the game as he sees it and instruct the team on what he needs."

Like Barnes, Pat McCutcheon failed to recover from a niggling injury (calf) from the trials and he's been replaced by Chris Alcock.

Waratahs: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tom Kingston, Rob Horne, Tom Carter, Brackin Karauria-Henry, Daniel Halangahu (capt), Sarel Pretorius; Wycliff Palu, Chris Alcock, Dave Dennis, Dean Mumm, Kane Douglas, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Res: Damien Fitzpatrick, Paddy Ryan, Lopeti Timani, Jono Jenkins, Brendan McKibbin, Bernard Foley, Nathan Trist.

AAP

Tags: sport, super-rugby, rugby-union, sydney-2000, australia, nsw

First posted February 23, 2012 10:53:30

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Palu pulls out of Waratahs side

Updated March 09, 2012 18:43:16

Well-travelled forward Tevita Metuisela has been handed a tough Waratahs debut, replacing injured Test star Wycliff Palu in the team to tackle the powerful Highlanders' pack in Saturday's Super Rugby clash.

Number eight Metuisela, 28, who played seven games for the Western Force last year, travelled to Dunedin as the Waratahs' 23rd man.

He was elevated into the starting side after Palu withdrew with a lower leg problem on Friday.

Palu experienced some tightness earlier in the week that was exacerbated by travel disruptions on Thursday, when flight cancellations resulted in an 11-hour journey.

Metuisela, a former Force and Brumbies Academy player and Manly club-mate of Palu's, has also played rugby league for the Roosters, Storm and Tigers.

He will be thrown into what is anticipated to be an intensely physical clash.

Controlling the breakdown

Playing under a roof, the Waratahs will not have to worry about wind or rain, but they risk being blown away if they do not win the breakdown battle.

Much of the pre-match focus has centred on the unbeaten Highlanders' physicality and their renowned ability to win turnover ball.

Recalled back Berrick Barnes, who will line up at inside centre, made it clear New South Wales could not hope to win unless they controlled the breakdown.

"They (the Highlanders) have been one of the best teams in the comp, probably the form team at the breakdown, and that's what's been the cornerstone of their success," Barnes said.

"So if we don't front up there, we stand no chance."

New South Wales coach Michael Foley agreed the Highlanders' physicality was a key factor.

"If you don't match them in that area, then anything else you plan to do won't work," he said.

With three playmakers in Barnes, skipper and five-eighth Daniel Halangahu and full-back Bernard Foley, New South Wales will not lack creativity once it wins possession.

For the Highlanders, All Blacks five-eighth Colin Slade will make his first start of the season coming in at full-back for Ben Smith, while Kade Poki steps in for Buxton Popoali'i on the right wing.

While the Highlanders pack have demanded attention and respect for their robust play, Barnes said they had more threats in their backline than in previous years.

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia, new-zealand

First posted March 09, 2012 18:43:16

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Waratahs embarrass Samoa A

Updated February 10, 2012 22:48:36

South African recruit Sarel Pretorius made a strong debut for New South Wales in a convincing 83-5 Super Rugby trial victory over Samoa A in Tamworth.

The half-back did not figure on the scoreboard but looked very sharp in a match used as an experiment by new Waratahs coach Michael Foley.

Pretorius was well-supported by Berrick Barnes, as the Waratahs opened up a 38-5 lead by half-time when both teams made wholesale changes at Scully Park.

Tom Carter crossed twice on the back of strong drives, while Damien Fitzpatrick posted a second-half hat-trick.

All up the Waratahs scored 13 tries but will be concerned by a hamstring injury to winger Lachie Turner, which will be assessed back in Sydney on Sunday.

AAP

Tags: rugby-union, super-14, sport, tamworth-2340

First posted February 10, 2012 22:48:36

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Barnes tightens up in Waratahs trial

Updated February 17, 2012 23:12:46

Berrick Barnes' early departure from Friday night's trial demolition of Tonga appeared precautionary, but the Waratahs will still be holding their breath ahead of next week's Super Rugby opener against Queensland.

The New South Wales star playmaker was only down to play 40 minutes at the Sydney Football Stadium, but was replaced in the 30th minute, nursing a groin complaint - as the Waratahs cruised to a 52-0 victory.

New South Wales was confident Barnes was just experiencing tightness in his right groin, with the stand-in captain having the area strapped as soon as he was replaced by Daniel Halangahu.

Waratahs coach Michael Foley said Barnes would be properly assessed on Saturday, but at this stage there was no doubt about his availability for the Reds match.

"We haven't got the full medical there but it was really just the kicking that was irritating his groin and when that started to flair up a little bit we took the precaution of taking him off the field before it became more serious," he said.

"There's a couple of niggles that will be assessed but we actually got through a game without any (injuries) so that's a good thing."

Barnes' departure came quite suddenly, given the five-eighth had just thrown the last pass for Rob Horne's try and potted his third conversion for a 21-0 lead.

Halangahu did not even have his shirt on when Barnes came from the field, and because of the delay, the Wallaby five-eighth even motioned to play on - a good sign the problem is not overly serious.

But if Barnes was not able to back up in time for next Saturday night's blockbuster against the Reds, it would push the Waratahs' injury troubles towards a crisis.

Already missing the likes of Rocky Elsom (March return), Dan Vickerman (April return), Lachie Turner (season) and most likely Drew Mitchell for round one, New South Wales will be desperate for its number 10 to steer the ship against the defending premiers.

The news was better for giant number eight Wycliff Palu, Horne, prop Benn Robinson and Adam Ashley-Cooper on his Waratahs debut, who all got through unscathed.

Foley said he is happy with where stars like Ashley-Cooper, Palu and Robinson are at.

"You saw a bit of impact from Cliff at times, Adam made a couple of incisive runs and certainly Benn scrummaged well, so a good start for all of those guys," he said.

"I think we probably came out of that feeling like there were times when we didn't control the ball well enough ... some things for us to work on next week but generally some pleasing things."

Impressive South African number nine Sarel Pretorius showed off his brilliant running game, scoring the first try of the night and was named man of the match.

With the match broken into a first half and then three periods of 20 minutes for a total playing time of 100 minutes, confusion set in at the SFS when half the crowd of 4,063 stood up and walked out after a hooter was blown at 80 minutes.

Even the match officials left the field and had to be called back.
AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted February 17, 2012 23:06:25

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Blues stun Waratahs

Published:Saturday, April 16, 2011 8:52 AESTExpires:Friday, July 15, 2011 8:52 AEST

The Blues stormed to a confident win in the Super 15 clash against the NSW Waratahs.

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Tags: rugby-union, nsw

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Barnes, Beale doubt lingers for Waratahs

Posted April 26, 2011 12:23:00

Berrick Barnes needs to show confidence in contact training if he is to play in the NSW Waratahs' Super Rugby clash with the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday night.

Five-eighth Barnes has missed several matches while recovering from concussion and, while he has been passed medically fit, the 24-year-old must feel comfortable in his role in a contact session before being given the green light by coach Chris Hickey.

Fellow Wallaby Kurtley Beale did not train on Tuesday as he battles to recover from lateral ligament damage in his knee.

The injury is not serious, but Beale will need to be monitored and his chances of turning out at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday depend on how he responds to training later in the week.

The Waratahs mounting injury woes again claimed Phil Waugh, the captain picking up a nasty hamstring tear in the weekend loss to Queensland which will keep him out at least two weeks.

It is the third different injury for Waugh this season and the ageing warrior admits he is struggling to find a balance of how hard to push his body.

"It's extremely frustrating but it's a fine line and you've got to push yourself throughout your career all the time and sometimes you push yourself harder than the body can handle," Waugh said on Tuesday.

"Right at the end of the game, literally as I was about to come off, pretty much the last run (I did my hamstring).

"Unfortunately that's sport and I just need to recover as quickly as possible.

"It's fairly significant so it's just a matter of trying to rehab it as quick as possible and get back on the field ... it'll at least be a couple of weeks."

Australian representatives Drew Mitchell, Rob Horne and Wycliff Palu are also on the NSW injury list.

However in good news for the team, Wallabies hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau is on track to face the Rebels after a head knock forced him from the field against the Reds.

- AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, nsw, sydney-2000

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Blues knock out Waratahs

Published:Saturday, June 25, 2011 7:20 AESTExpires:Friday, September 23, 2011 7:20 AEST

The Waratahs were dismissed by the Blues in a sudden death Super Rugby semi-final in Auckland.

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Tags: rugby-union, sydney-2000

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Waratahs ready for finals anywhere

Updated June 17, 2011 18:23:00

New South Wales has booked flights to five potential finals destinations across the southern hemisphere, convinced the Brumbies will not end its Super Rugby season on Saturday night.

Depending on a series of results in a huge last round of home-and-away fixtures this weekend, the Waratahs could end up having to travel to Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban, Auckland or Nelson for their sudden-death "qualifier".

There is even a small chance the seventh-placed Waratahs could yet host a play-off in Sydney next week if they score a big bonus-point win over the Brumbies.

All coach Chris Hickey cares about, though, is actually reaching the business end of the competition.

The usually mild-mannered mentor on Friday bristled when asked if the Waratahs were ready to deliver Melbourne-bound Wallabies star Kurtley Beale and retiring stalwart Al Baxter fitting farewells in the Waratahs' apparent final home game for the season at Sydney's Olympic stadium.

"Look, we've still got three or four games to play yet, so these blokes aren't leaving," Hickey snapped.

"This will just be perhaps their last game they'll play in Sydney. I'm sure those guys will want to go out on a high note.

"But, from our point of view, we're really preparing for the next three or four games. It's not a send-off for anybody.

"In many ways, I guess our finals campaign starts on Saturday night."

Indeed, the only certainty is that the Waratahs can not possibly clash with Queensland in round one of the play-offs because the front-running Reds are guaranteed a top-two finish and, with that, next weekend off and then a home semi-final.

But New South Wales could even squeeze into the finals if it loses to the Brumbies by less than eight points and there is a one-sided result in the pivotal match in Pretoria on Sunday morning between the fifth-placed Bulls and sixth-placed Sharks.

History has proven it is virtually impossible to win the Super Rugby title after travelling to South Africa and avoiding the Republic during the finals remains the Waratahs' best-case scenario.

As unlikely as it might seem, the dream run for the Waratahs would be playing and beating the Blues in Auckland next week, then upsetting the Reds in Brisbane before taking down the Crusaders in the final in Nelson on July 9.

First and foremost, the Waratahs must conquer the fired-up and in-form Brumbies on Saturday night.

"You don't expect any favours from any of the Australian sides," Hickey said.

"The local derbies have been a real feature of this Super Rugby competition and the competitiveness between the Brumbies and the Waratahs goes back many years.

"So it's a game that we've got to be good enough to get out there and win."

After a highly disappointing campaign, the Brumbies stunned the Reds, then beat the Rebels last start and will be desperate themselves to send France-bound captain Matt Giteau and Waratahs-bound utility Adam Ashley-Cooper off in style.

"It's a huge game," Waratahs captain Phil Waugh said.

"Similar circumstances to last week. If we win, we go through. If we lose, it will be our last game for the year so (there is) a lot on the line.

"They'll have a lot of motivation too. It's their last game of the season as well and they'll be motivated to come to Sydney and upset our plans.

"We've just got to make sure we turn up from kick-off."

- AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, act, canberra-2600, nsw, sydney-2000

First posted June 17, 2011 16:05:00

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