2008 Match Day Programs - Phil Waugh
Time we delivered
Match: HSBC Waratahs v Crusaders
Date: February 7, 2008
Interview: MARK CASHMAN
Images: GETTY IMAGES
START well and keep it going! That’s the game plan that HSBC Waratahs skipper Phil Waugh has set down for his men in 2008.
Waugh believes that a good performance against the Crusaders tonight in the Rotomahana Challenge match and then another good effort against the Hurricanes on February 16 in week one of Super 14 are an essential part of the Tahs redemption.
At 28 there’s still plenty of time left on the old Rugby clock, but the leader of the 2008 group of Waratahs knows that if that elusive Super 14 isn’t delivered in the next couple of season then a major chance has been let slip through to keeper.
In this exclusive chat with Waugh says that it’s time that he and his team-mates delivered on the promise and experience that has been cobbled together over the past couple of years.
“If you look at this forward pack it’s probably the last time we play together. At this stage of the year we are always promising a lot, but it comes down to performance,” Waugh explains. “I truly believe that we’ve got a good and experienced side but now it’s time that we delivered.”
WARATAHS: What are your thoughts on the draw for the Tahs this season? It’s a bit different compared to previous seasons where you’ve headed to South Africa early in the season. It’s probably going to give you a chance to connect with the fans a bit earlier on?
PHIL WAUGH: Yeah, I think it’s really good, I mean a draw’s a draw and you’ve got to take positives from it. Obviously there are some obstacles facing us as well, we’ve never done well against the South African teams over there. However, we’ve got a game a home on the 16th of February so hopefully we get a bunch of people there supporting us and we can entertain the crowds, win games and draw people to the stadium. It’s a matter of winning games at the start of the season and consolidating it at the end.
W: Last season wasn’t pretty if you were a Waratahs supporter. What did you and the team learn from that experience?
PW: Firstly, I think the squad is a lot stronger and a lot bigger than it was last year. Having blokes like Timana Tahu come in and Kurtley Beale being a year older has certainly strengthened us from last year. But most of all we’ve got to keep blokes on the park. We had a couple of close calls last year, but we just didn’t play well enough and you’ve got to learn to win those close ones even when you’re not playing well. It’s hard at this stage of the season but hopefully when the season starts we will start well and win some of those close ones.
W: Are you looking forward to getting on the field, staying on the field and making a difference leadership wise?
PW: Last year was very frustrating – hopefully this year I will stay fit, play well and hopefully lead well as a result. My goal is to do everything I can to stay on the field this year. I’m really confident with the guys we have around us and so if we can keep everyone healthy, fit and available for selection we should be able to tackle the year head on and reverse where we were on the table last year.
W: Do you agree with the idea that this group of Waratahs need to actually win a competition in the next year or two, because the team group will change after that period?
PW: Mate, it’s been a long time coming, but obviously the team is going to change over the next period of time. If you look at this forward pack it’s probably going to be last time they play together. At this stage of the year we are always promising a lot but it comes down to performance. I truly believe that we’ve got an experienced side now and now its time to deliver, especially because we didn’t produce last year.
W: Talking of the pack, it is obviously good to have yourself and Dan Vickerman back isn’t it? It definitely makes your lineout stronger which is a important?
PW: Definitely, especially with the new laws which keep the ball in play longer. We need to have the ball so it good to have him (Vickerman) back because he also brings that size back to the forward pack.
W: Has there been a tweaking of the goals this year?
PW: We have had Ray Mclean and his team in here working on leadership for the last three years and were no longer using him. There’s definitely been a change in the dynamics of the group, its far more performance orientated, everything is performance orientated. There’s a lot of focus on winning games, it’s all about turning up on the weekend an winning games-its sounds simple and logical, but sometimes its not that easy.
W: There are some new people in the squad headed by Timana Tahu as well as others like Ben Mowen. How have they fitted in so far?
PW: Everyone has fit in very well, obviously Timana’s a very classy player but also we’ve got players like Matty Carraro and Ben Mowen who are coming into the squad really well. I guess now it’s all about getting in and taking it out onto the field. Those new guys will get their go in the trials and then we go from there.
W: Are we going to see more tries, excitement and fun from the Tahs in 2008?
PW: I think that’s the way the game is going, it’s certainly getting quicker. I think that’s the way the game is going but in the end it’s about winning games and score four tries without playing suicide Rugby. It is about getting the balance right and certainly being at the right end of the field. There’s definitely got to be a balance from attacking from our own end of the field and scoring points.
W: Out of the new faces who has stuck up their hands early in through their performances in some of the early contact drills? Do you get the feeling that some of them are ready to burst and have a big season?
PW: There’s a few guys yeah. I think the battle for inside centre is going to be hotly contested. Sam Harris, Ben Jacobs and Tom Carter, so that’s pretty critical and there’s also the battle of the halves, with Luke Burgess coming into the squad. Brett Sheeha and Josh Valentine are there as well, so it’s another important spot. I guess the 9, 10 and 12 are the biggest grey areas in terms of selection and I suppose that’s where we have been a little inconsistent over the past few years, so if we can shore up 9, 10 and 12 than that will lay the platform for the rest of the team..
W: A few milestones happening this year, David Lyons will hopefully get on soon for his 100th, there’s a lot coming up for the Tahs this year isn’t there?
PW: Absolutely, particularly when you look at the forward pack, there are a lot of guys who have been here a long time now who have been very loyal to New South Wales so it is good to see. There has certainly been some great friendships made over the last 5 or 6 years here, so its happy to see those guys coming along, and it will be great to see David get out there and play his hundredth. Also, there’s Matt Dunning, Al Baxter and Adam Frier along with Vicks as well, who have all played a lot of games for the Waratahs now.
W: The Tahs have been blessed with goal kickers in recent times with Matt Burke and Peter Hewat. Goal kicking is going to be very important this year?
PW: I think the way the games going these days you have to pick a goalkicker and pick the team around you goalkicker, and so it’s a matter of someone stepping up and taking charge in that area. There’s a number of guys working on it and doing well, Brett Sheehan is kicking well, Kurtley is kicking well and Lachie Turner is kicking well, so it’s just a matter of all the guys working hard. We obviously want someone who’s going top kick the majority of goals they are presented so it is a very important area, and to replace Matt Burke and Peter Hewat is going to be tough, but we need to find someone to kick as well as they do.