Tahs on mission to defy critics
DON’T go telling the Waratahs they haven’t got a hope of beating the Lions tonight because they’ve heard it all before.
They know the odds are heavily stacked against them because they’ve never won a playoff match away from home.
And they also don’t need reminding that taming the Lions at Ellis Park is one of the toughest tests in Super Rugby because the thin air on the South African highveld sucks all the oxygen and energy out of visiting teams.
Save your breath telling them all that because Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson just keeps reminding his players, they’ve already overcome a bigger challenge just to get to the semis.
“We’ve been under the radar all year but we’ve been a team that’s improved all year and we’ve really earnt our way to the semi- final,” Gibson said.
“We’re determined to get another week this season and it’s a good place to be. No one’s giving us much of a chance but we believe we can win this game.” Gibson knows a thing or two about challenges. He played 19 Tests for the All Blacks and 77 matches for the Crusaders so was always having to fend off players wanting his spot.
Coaching has been no different but after the Waratahs finished 16th last year, Gibson said the pressure of playing for a spot in the grand final is child’s play compared with when the team gets walloped every week.
“The biggest challenge of my career was last season. Coming out of that season with only four wins in a season that promised a lot more,” he said.
“I don’t see this as a challenge, I see this as a reward for all the effort that has gone in.
“I don’t find it as a challenging because it’s easy to be in charge of a team that’s going well.”
Gibson has been remorseless in pushing his players to the limit to get them ready for moments like this but they are starting to see the rewards.
Hooker Tolu Latu was told in no uncertain terms that he wouldn’t start a match until he improved his work ethic but has finally been picked to join the run- on team.