Speed test for Tahs
Highlanders coach thinks big NSW pack will run out of puff
THE fitness of the Waratahs’ massive pack has been called into question by the Highlanders ahead of their Super Rugby semi-final in Sydney tonight.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph says NSW’s big boys could struggle to keep up with the breakneck speed at which his side plays and would then make mistakes late in the game that would allow the Kiwi side to steam over the top of the Tahs at Allianz Stadium.
That is despite the Tahs boasting a huge difference in experience over their rivals, with the starting pack having played 473 more Super Rugby games and 299 more Tests than their Highlanders counterparts.
NSW run the ball more than any other side in Super Rugby, while the Highlanders are competition leaders in poaching turnover ball.
“When you use the ball a lot, you get tired don’t you? When you’re tired you make mistakes, and when you make mistakes, we’re on them,” Joseph said.
“They’re bigger than us. It’s hard to carry big carcasses around the track, especially when you play at speed.
“I think if we’re successful in moving the ball quickly and keeping the game at a reasonable tempo, then like last week, guys are going falter at the end.
“I think that could be a key. But the game has got to be tight for that to be a key, it’s no good if it’s 20-0.”
The Tahs’ starting pack, led by 140kg Will Skelton, weighs a combined 927kg, compared to the starting eight of the Highlanders at 899kg.
The Highlanders used their speed and agility to defeat NSW earlier this year.
“In some ways we’ve got contrasting styles, the Waratahs use the ball a little bit more than we do, and on that particular day, while we didn’t have a lot of possession, we did win the territory,” Joseph said.
“Equally, our forwards met the task of tackling Will Skelton and his mates, so that won’t change tomorrow.
“In fact, the teams that have managed to take care of the pack have tended to come out on top of the Waratahs.”
TWO years on and the Brumbies are still taking lessons from their stunning fadeout in the 2013 final.
The Canberra-based franchise had a 10-point lead and one hand on the trophy when fatigue set in, allowing the Chiefs to come back in the last 15 minutes to win 27-22.
It marked the end of an arduous playoffs campaign for the Brumbies, who had to travel from Canberra to South Africa to New Zealand within a fortnight.
They are in a similar situation this year, with trips to Cape Town, Canberra and Wellington in the run-up to today’s semi-final against the Hurricanes.
While the Brumbies have won their past four encounters, the Wellington side have only lost two of 15 games at home and are clear favourites to win the clash in Wellington today.