Moving on from 'how much will the Bulls win by'...
What would the Waratahs have to do differently in order to win this one?
Quite a lot, is the short answer, but I don't like the idea of throwing my hands in the air and accepting that the Bulls are unstoppable and the Waratahs irredeemable.
There are plenty of things the Waratahs need to attend to, no matter who they are playing, the main ones being (again):
-selection: any chance we'll see a specialist 13 this season? I really have nothing against Carter, but he is not playing in his best position (insert bench joke here)
-intensity: get some soon
-forwards: solid set plays, varied tactics ie maul, pick and drive, pop balls as the defence becomes more fractured (essentially the best stuff from last season), FAST BALL AT ALL TIMES. There are some very strong ball runners in the pack (Palu, TPN, Mowen, and Mumm when he is back) so it would be nice if they did the bulk of the 'hit ups' with the others supporting and securing possession-which is not to say the others should never run the ball as with quick ball everyone needs to be prepared, just that I'd prefer to see Waugh in the middle of rucks and mauls and Palu charging onto the ball with support close behind. What I really don't want to see Baxter taking a casual run one off the ruck and getting smashed because he is all alone, the defence have been set and ready for a long time, and he really doesn't fancy a run anyway.
-Burgess: Pass fast to Barnes or Beale. If you want to run or kick, do that fast too. If there is no one to pass to - pick it up and run (hopefully the forwards will be ashamed of themselves enough to back you up)
-backs: Don't kick away possession. If you must kick, please do it for a good reason ("I couldn't think of anything better to do" is not a good reason) such as the opposition defence being up too fast, opposition fullback or wingers being out of position. Be inventive - Beale was a creative and exciting player once upon a time and I believe he still can be if given the OK. Someone has to cut inside or straighten up the attack if there is going to be any lateral movement. Get Turner and Mitchell involved as much as possible (if you get ignored, come looking for the ball boys - I don't care if you have to clear Burgess out of our own ruck). Small steps though - how about a clever move off a scrum?
-coach: take the crap players off, leave the good players on. If you have more crap players than reserves, take them off in order of crapness. If you have it in you, get them fired up and let them play.
The next issue is finding areas in the Bulls' play that might be vulnerable.
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-their defence can't be all that great as they have let in a few tries
-when the Brumbies pressured them they did melt away a bit, and they did give away plenty of penalties
-Waugh could do a rabid dog impersonation on Steyn (pressure him, not bite him)
-the Bulls scrum is solid, but the Tahs have it in them to put pressure on there
, but I reckon they are likely to get plenty put on them this weekend. Bloody hard to turn it around on a SA roadtrip, like Ash said. Shades of 2002 on the road - anyone?? :fishing
