Waratahs assistant coach Nathan Grey says team not panicking despite ‘ordinary’ showing in Global Tens
NSW assistant coach Nathan Grey says the winless start to the Global Tens tournament is “very disappointing’’ but the Waratahs are not panicking ahead of their 2017 Super Rugby campaign.
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NSW assistant coach Nathan Grey says the winless start to the Brisbane Global Tens tournament is “very disappointing’’ but the Waratahs are certainly not panicking ahead of their 2017 Super Rugby campaign.
In searing temperatures at Suncorp Stadium yesterday when the mercury nudged 40 degrees at ground level, the Waratahs suffered a shock 15-5 loss to Japanese club side Panasonic Wild Knights led by former NSW playmaker Berrick Barnes.
The day did not improve when the Waratahs were on the receiving end of a 26-14 thumping from the Chiefs in front of 20,000-plus spectators with Wallabies star Israel Folau rested.
NSW need to smash the Melbourne Rebels in the opening match on Sunday then hope Barnes and the Wild Knights continue their giant-killing run with a win over the Chiefs to be any hope of qualifying for the quarter-finals.
The Waratahs play the Highlanders at Brookvale Oval this Thursday in their final pre-season hit-out before the Round 1 Super Rugby clash with the Western Force on February 25.
Grey said the Waratah camp would be keeping things in perspective.
“You look at the format for what it is. A majority of the teams are prepping for Super Rugby. This tournament had been a great opportunity for guys to test themselves out at a high level,’’ he said.
“You don’t read (anything) into it (for Super Rugby form) but our Tens form is pretty ordinary.
“Our intent was good but (we) just let ourselves down with some execution.
“(It’s) very disappointing from a Waratahs perspective. We came down with preparation and wanted to try and execute a few things in the game.
“We’ll lick our wounds and look forward to tomorrow.’’
Grey said Folau would be available for selection.
“He’s all good. He had a run in that first game and blew a few cobwebs out and what not. We are looking forward to him recovering and then getting stuck in tomorrow,’’ he said.
Folau was a standout against the Wild Knights as he looked dangerous with every touch as he made considerable metres and stretched the Japanese club’s defence with clever offloads.
He also produced a superb try-saving tackle but his efforts were not enough to stop Barnes and his men saluting.
Barnes played 43 games for the Waratahs between 2010 and 2013 after starting his rugby career with the Queensland Reds in 2006.
A clever swerve, dummy then draw and pass set up a try for Kentaro Kodama to establish a 12-5 lead in the second half after Ben Gunter crossed early for the pre-tournament $67 longshot Wild Knights to put the Waratahs under the pump.
Barnes then opted to take a penalty goal attempt and slotted the drop goal to put the Wild Knights out of reach and NSW’s tournament hopes on a knife’s edge.
“It’s huge for us,’’ Barnes said.
“We took a really young squad over here. A lot of guys were playing their first games so (we are) really proud. To get a win tops it off.
“We’ve received great support (in Brisbane) so hopefully we’ll be their second team this weekend. Maybe we cause one more but were giving it our best shot.’’
It was a disappointing day for the Australian teams with the Rebels enjoying one win over the Chiefs (19-5) before falling to the Wild Knights (17-12) while the Western Force lost to both the Bulls (14-10) and Hurricanes (19-12).
The Reds drew with the Blues (17-all) and then suffered a 28-0 thrashing at the hands of the Crusaders.
The Brumbies lost to the Highlanders (14-7) before beating a flat Toulon 10-0.
Originally published as Waratahs assistant coach Nathan Grey says team not panicking despite ‘ordinary’ showing in Global Tens
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