Home ground key as Waratahs plan revival

This is the diabolic downward trend the Waratahs must overturn if they’re to win back fans and win a place in the 2018 Super Rugby finals.

Since winning the 2014 premiership with a 100 per cent home ground record, the Tahs have slumped in Sydney over the past three years, last season losing nearly 80 per cent of their games at Allianz Stadium.

New South Wales kicks off their season at the ground tonight against Cape Town’s Stormers, who won their opening game last week and their

last match in Sydney in 2015.

NSW vice-captain Bernard Foley conceded that his side needs to rebuild Allianz into a fortress.

“That was one of the things that hurt us most last year, playing out here in front of our home fans, friends and family, and not getting the result,” Foley said.

“There were too many times we sat in our own change room there, and it was a losing environment. So that was really disappointing.

“When we’ve had good seasons here, we’ve made this ground a real hostile ground for opposition, and that’s what we have to go back to.

“We have to make this a formidable ground for us, and a place we really love enjoying because it’s a great stadium, one of the best stadiums in the world, and it’s always good to win in front of our home fans.”

History shows just how important home results are for premiership campaigns.

Following NSW’s undefeated home streak in 2014, the last three champions have proved virtually unbeatable in their own backyard.

The Highlanders won seven from nine in Dunedin in 2015, the Hurricanes were eight from nine in 2016, and last year’s victors the Crusaders were undefeated in Christchurch.

“We just hope other teams coming here get distracted by the beaches and the good weather, but we’ve got to make this a tough ground to win at (for travelling teams),” Foley said.

“Winning our home games puts us in such good stead for this competition, especially with so many demands in terms of travel.

“We spoke all pre-season about working hard and working for each other and restoring the pride in the NSW jersey that maybe lacked a little bit in the last couple of seasons.”

WARATAHS HOME RECORD 2014: 10 wins 0 losses 2015: 6 wins 3 losses 2016: 4 wins 4 losses 2017: 2 wins 7 losses