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Phil Waughs thoughts on our leaders 'cunning' plan...
''I think it's probably one of the most appalling attitudes to come into a game with,'' Waugh told the Herald yesterday. ''Having a reliance on the home town's crowd to boo their team, particularly when we're trying to grow the game, is pretty poor. As a provincial coach you have a responsibility to grow the game and coming to Sydney, which is the biggest market, with that attitude is really disappointing.
''He is a coach that has experience with the Wallabies and is very involved in Australian rugby. I think it's really disappointing if I'm a rugby fan in Australia.
''We talk about getting more local derbies and more entertainment, but when you have a coach that puts it out there that their tactic is to deliberately bore the crowd so they will boo, that is not conducive to making the game better here.''
But Graham scoffed at the attack, saying NSW's problems existed long before he revealed his plan.
''What is the common denominator? It's not me,'' Graham said. ''I am not the catalyst for it.
''Phil has obviously got his own comments and opinions, but I am not there every week, it was one week out of 16. One thing about NSW in terms of crowd, they are passionate and they can become hostile [as evidenced earlier this year when spectators jeered NSW off the field after a defeat to the Cheetahs].
''You have to use that, just like you use the conditions and the weather, we're there to win. It's got nothing to do with growing the game.''
WTF?! This actually happened??
When I first learnt of this Blackadderesque masterstroke of tactical cunning, I thought it was a gee up, a rumour of sorts. I mean what modern Rugby coach or coach in any code for the matter would dream this rubbish up?
I agree with Phil and think we look like idiots. Particularly after having our backsides handed to us again after employing this hair brained scheme.
What genius. Deadset a bit of Brumbies style player power is my prediction...