Plenty of challenges await Tahs

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Plenty of challenges await Tahs

Greg Growden | February 6, 2009

Can the Waratahs win it? Who are the new boys? What about the ELVs?

Greg Growden tackles the 14 vital questions ahead of this year's
tournament.

1 Will the Waratahs win the Super 14?

No. :eek:

2 Can the Waratahs make the play-offs?

Doubtful. :eek::eek:

3 Is Chris Hickey, who we hear from a good source wielded a fierce strap during his schoolteaching days, on a hiding to nothing?

He will be if he allows the Waratahs head office to have too much say in proceedings.

4 Can the Crusaders win the title without Robbie Deans and Dan Carter?

It is a possibility.

5 Will the end of neutral referees cause an enormous stink, and at last save South African teams?

The merit system has … merit, but is bound to lead to whingeing from losing coaches.

6 When will South African back-rower Luke Watson start complaining about something?

The never-ending saga over Watson and his tenuous relationship with the Springboks team conveniently overlooked one crucial point. A prime reason he has been ignored by the South African selectors is that he is not as good a player as he thinks he is...

7 When will we first hear from a South African commentator that their teams have no chance because of the tyranny of distance

Round one.

8 How many times will Western Force coach John Mitchell give the half-time speech?

Within minutes of the infamous half-time stink in Perth last year, we heard about it...

9 Is it worth the Force showing up if Matt Giteau gets injured?

Not really. Giteau is the Force. So much revolves around him. If he falls over, plunge heavily on the opposition. :angry:

10 Will Australia's marquee overseas signings be inundated by autograph hunters?

Who are they again? Daniel who? Sandcastle who?

11 With Laurie Fisher gone, will the Brumbies have any idea how to play under the ELVs?

Hopefully, so.

12 When will Stirling Mortlock knock himself out with a kamikaze midfield run?

It is usually about halfway through the season that Mortlock is back at full steam, smashing everything in his way, fleeing like a crazed Long Bay escapee. So expect the Mortlock staggers in about round six.

13 Who will catch the ball in the Waratahs lineout?

Due to NSW's dearth of second-rowers, our strong mail is that hooker Adam Freier will throw it in, sprint to the back of the line, where he will be catapulted up by his fellow forwards to catch it. Efficiency is imperative in these trying financial times.

14 Where will the next Super rugby teams hail from?

Any city that can avoid the recession. In other words, nowhere. Don't bet on a Super 15, Super 16, Super 20, Super 60 in the near future. For the time being, the Super 14 is here to stay.