@Mr-Fish said in Moana Pasifika v Waratahs:
@KiwiMurph said in Moana Pasifika v Waratahs:
@frugby said in Moana Pasifika v Waratahs:
@KiwiMurph said in Moana Pasifika v Waratahs:
@frugby said in Moana Pasifika v Waratahs:
@KiwiMurph said in Moana Pasifika v Waratahs:
@frugby said in Moana Pasifika v Waratahs:
There is no Waratahs thread on here, but at what point do people start to question if maybe Dan McKellar isn't actually as good a coach as is always claimed?
The Tahs went 2 wins 12 losses last season and got the wooden spoon
The Tahs are 4 wins 3 losses at the moment
What were people expecting? I think Mckellar is doing just fine in year 1
Results have been decent, but the performances have been atrocious accounting for the talent in the squad.
Atrocious is harsh - they looked good in the home wins vs Force and Brumbies.
I think they really struggle at 9 and 10 if Gordon isn't at 9.
He is a pragmatic coach is Mckellar - The Brumbies were hardly the Harlem Globetrotters under his stewardship but they had good results.
Even before Gordon got injured they were disappointing…
Disagree. Year 1 of a new coach I wouldn't call them disappointing
Scott Robertson, Dave Rennie, Vern Cotter all won in their first years in charge. Scott Laidlaw and Clayton McMillan have both come close in recent times. Don't think there's any reason why a team with a fairly stacked line-up (and not just a thrown together Highlanders-style one) and a good coach should be making excuses just because it's 'year one'.
I would disagree with the idea that the Waratahs are 'fairly stacked'. They have some big names but across the board stacked is not the word I would use. The Brumbies and Reds have better squads in Australia alone.
Of the Tahs big names - Tongan Thor is arguably the most overhyped rugby player on the planet, Jake Gordon is currently injured, Suaalii has missed most games due to a toe issue and Jorgensen is now out for months injured. Angus Bell has stayed fit this year which helps but there's not much left when you look at the rest of the players.
The Blues had the best squad in the comp last year and Dave Rennie had Aaron Cruden at 10 whilst Razor had Mo'unga at 10. They get credit for helping those young 10s flourish but it's night and day compared to Edmed and Creighton at 10.