Tahs must fix rotation system after loss to Sunwolves highlights current approach isn’t working

The Waratahs need to find a better way to manage their commitment to rotating key players if they want to start building some momentum in Super Rugby.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA — MARCH 29: Sunwolves players celebrate the win during the round seven Super Rugby match between the Waratahs and the Sunwolves at McDonald Jones Stadium on March 29, 2019 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images for SUNWOLVES)

If there’s one positive lesson the Waratahs can take from Friday’s error-ridden loss to the Sunwolves, it’s that they now know they need to come up with a better way of managing the rotation system if they want to make the Super Rugby playoffs.

All four Australian teams have agreed to rest their Wallabies for two matches to help keep them fresh for the World Cup but there’s no mandate on which games they have to miss.

Teams have been given the flexibility to chop and change as they see fit in order to look after their own self-interests and the national cause.

For the Waratahs, the approach has been to limit the disruption on each game by omitting one or two players at a time but it hasn’t worked.

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Israel Folau attempts to break the line against the Sunwolves.

Instead of minimising any disruption, it has stalled the team’s chances of building momentum because the key players have been unable to fine-tune their combinations.

The result has been a series of frustrating, inconsistent performances that have brought the Waratahs three wins and three losses, underpinned by the shock defeat to the ­bottom-placed Sunwolves.

Michael Hooper and the Waratahs found themselves in a world on pain on Saturday night.

But there are other options if they are prepared to gamble, including resting them all at the same time to get it over and done with quickly.

Most of the leading players have missed one game, and there’s nothing stopping the ones who haven’t, including Michael Hooper and Israel Folau, from skipping two in a row.

“My understanding is that there are no rules around it so having somebody two weeks (off), I don’t see that as not being allowed,” Waratahs assistant coach Simon Cron said.

The Waratahs aren’t considering a radical change in tactics against the in-form Blues in Auckland next week, although the most obvious time to experiment with something outside of the square is in May when NSW travel to South Africa for back-to-back matches against the Bulls and the Lions.

No team ever wants to concede defeat but the Waratahs have a poor record at altitude, so if they did use those games to rest their star players they would be available and fresh for the rest of the season and, most importantly, for the Australian conference matches which will ultimately decide whether they make the playoffs.

Cam Clark on the burst against the Sunwolves. Picture: Getty Images

“We have a rough idea of when and who but at the same time you are always evaluating depending on injuries or what happens to the squad make-up,” Cron said.

“Conference games are ­really important because it’s conference points, so it’s like a double down on points. So that’s important.

“But at the same time you have to trust your squad and build enough depth to handle those rotations.”

Sunwolves players celebrate their upset win in Newcastle.

Originally published as Tahs must fix rotation system after loss to Sunwolves highlights current approach isn’t working