NSW Waratahs

2006 Preview

They are a team decidedly on the up - talented, settled and with a credible coach. They have often been seen as underachievers, a team that blows it when it really counts.

They got themselves into a good position in 2000 until the Crusaders came close to putting a ton on them. Then last year they made the final and did so playing great rugby. Again the mighty Crusaders were their nemesis.

Strengths: They have Mat Rogers. Any team that has the creative skills and vision of Rogers has the ability to play exciting and effective rugby - and he has many great players around him. They have great loose forwards. They have Lote Tuqiri and they have the energy of Chris Whitaker. Great loose forwards and great backs can make a winning side.

Weakness: The scrum could be a weakness if the New Zealand and South African teams decide to take advantage of a proven Australian problem, though not one without a solution. But it may not be as big a problem as the psychological one that hangs a 'not quite' tag around their necks, a choker if you like.

Noteworthy signings: Tom Carter (New), Josh Holmes (New), Leroy Houston (New), Dean Mumm (New), Sam Norton-Knight (Brumbies), Tatafu Polota-Nau (New), Benn Robinson (New), Wendell Sailor (Reds), Brett Sheehan (Reds), Marty Wilson (New)
 
Noteworthy losses: Brendan Cannon (Force), Nathan Grey (Japan), Dwayne Haare (Narbonne, France), Gareth Hardy (Force), Lachlan MacKay (Force), Chris O'Young (Force), Cameron Shepherd (Force), Lei Tomiki (Narbonne, France), Elia Tuqiri.

Coach: It seemed that the whole of Australia wanted Ewen McKenzie to coach the Wallabies in the wake of the 2005 disappointments but he decided to stick with the Waratahs, which must have earned the big, thoughtful ex-prop lots of warm feelings from his players. Clearly he is a great coach in progress.

Captain: Chris Whitaker is in his last year of Waratah rugby having announced that he will join an undisclosed club abroad after the Super 14. Weight for weight he is the toughest, strongest, most committed of rugby players. He will lead by example and his leadership will be aimed at victory. He has spent a sad time in the ample shade of George Gregan but deserves so much in his own right. Given his way, the Waratahs will be energetic and adventurous. The veteran of 31 Tests and 104 matches for the Waratahs will become the Waratahs' most capped player if he plays all Super 14 matches this year.

Player(s) to watch: Mat Rogers, of course, as he skates about the rugby field making tacklers look silly. Sam Norton-Knight, a Stephen Larkham lookalike, could become a trump card in his own lanky right. And will Peter Hewat be as much fun as he has been in recent seasons?

2005 Position: 2nd in Super 12
Best finish: 2nd - losing finalists
Worst finish: 9th in Super 12 in 1997 and 2000.
Home Venue: Aussie Stadium (previously Sydney Football Stadium)

2006 Prediction: They have enough class to be in the play-offs again and could be a good bet for overall honours.

Waratahs squad:  Alastair Baxter, Shaun Berne, Aaron Broughton-Rouse, Will Caldwell, Tom Carter, Tim Donnelly, Matt Dunning, Rocky Elsom, Adam Freier, Peter Hewat, Stephen Hoiles, Josh Holmes, Leroy Houston, Ben Jacobs, Alex Kanaar, David Lyons, Winston Mafi, Dean Mumm, Sam Norton-Knight, Wycliff Palu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson, Mat Rogers, Wendell Sailor, Brett Sheehan, Chris Siale, Lote Tuqiri, Morgan Turinui, Daniel Vickerman, Phil Waugh, Chris Whitaker (captain), Marty Wilson

Schedule:

11 February: Reds vs Waratahs
18 February: Stormers vs Waratahs
25 February: Bulls vs Waratahs
4 March: Waratahs vs Sharks
10 March:  Waratahs vs Cats
17 March:  Force vs Waratahs
24 March: Waratahs vs Blues
31 March:  Waratahs vs Cheetahs
7 April: Crusaders vs Waratahs
16 April: Waratahs vs Brumbies
Bye:  Waratahs
28 April: Highlanders vs Waratahs
6 May:  Chiefs vs Waratahs
13 May: Waratahs vs Hurricanes