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Form from 2007
"Falling off a ladder into a well" is the best analogy I can think of for the Tah's 2007 season. From finalists in 05 and a very narrow semi-finals loss in 06 to scrapping it out to stay off the bottom with the Reds in 07. What will 2008 bring? Yes, injuries were a factor this year but the Tahs will want to change their game plan a fair bit if they want to get ahead in 08. Thankfully Todd Louden joins the squad and will hone a backline with some great talent. In the recent MARC, NSW stood tall with all three teams competing for the finals right up until the last and with the Rays winning the tournament. Double points for the fact that the 3 teams were significantly watered down.
Comings and Goings
The Waratahs are losing a fair few members of the backline in Josh Holmes, Peter Hewat, Morgan Turinui and Chris Siale. They'll be missing the experience of Hewat/Turinui and the raw talent of Holmes and Siale. The loss of Holmes is a particular concern for NSW. Despite having 3 perfectly good scrum-halves, you can't afford to let someone of that kind of talent slip through your fingers. With Jared Waerea Hargreaves also joining league due to a dysfunctional apprenticeship system changes need to be made!
On the inputs side, league star Timana Tahu joins the squad as a likely inside centre. Whether this investment pays off or not is a real poser. History tells us leaguies don't make good 12s because they can't really read the game. Another con is that, as well as being a friend of Lote's, he has a bad attitude for a professional sportsman. First he knocks union a week before signing with the Tahs and then when he knows he's going to leave league he picks up a suspension- I don't doubt he'll make a bad name for himself quickly. Luke Burgess, one of the Rebels star players, comes in for Josh Holmes as a scrumhalf. This eases the damage re Holmes' departure.
Keep an eye on
Alex Kanaar missed out on almost all of the rugby this year through injury but last year proved he is Wallaby in waiting with great skill at the breakdown and a powerful ball running ability. He will work well with Vickerman (who will also be back) and bring a hard edge back to the Tah's pack. Let's just hope he can stay injury free.
In the backs Kurtley Beale will be having a 'make or break' season. Beale had a baptism of fire in Super 14 starting after just a few games and then being demoted to the bench half way through the season. He's had a great season with the Rams, however, and will be better conditioned for 2008. Louden's influence may just make it an exciting season for the youngster. Beale has a fantastic ability, like Latham, to make a try from nothing yet to become a brilliant fly-half he will need to learn the art of 'constructing' a try like Larkham does and put others in try scoring positions.
Prospectus for 2008
The Waratahs will definitely have a distinctly better season in 2008. A year of experience in the backs and a new coach will make them more dangerous- something lacking in '07. For the forwards injuries to Kanaar, Vickerman and Waugh tested their depth a bit but fit and firing they will lead a more dominant pack. Its anyone's guess who will be playing in the halves but whoever is there will do the job. Even though they did do badly in 2007 the only teams that outclassed them were the Blues, Sharks and Brumbies so if they can win those other tight ones this year they'll be laughing. Expect improvements, expect 7th.