Lineout woes a worry for Waratahs heading into Super Rugby playoffs

CALLING errors were blamed for the Waratahs’ “terrible” lineout debacle against Queensland.

Rob Simmons of the Reds during the Super Rugby match between the Queensland Reds and the New South Wales Waratahs. Pic Darren England.

CALLING errors were blamed for the Waratahs’ “terrible” lineout debacle against Queensland.

While NSW dominated nearly all other areas of play, Queensland ruthlessly exposed the fragility of the Waratahs’ lineout without skipper Dave Dennis, an alarming development ahead of their first home semi-final in six years.

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Regular Wallaby locks Rob Simmons and James Horwill terrorised NSW, stealing the ball and pressuring hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau into crooked throws.

The Tahs gave up six of their own throws in the game

NSW coach Michael Cheika said he expected mistakes after giving Will Skelton a rare start in the second row.

“And it wasn’t just poor play from us, they did well, you have to give credit where it’s due for good play,” Cheika said.

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“If it was my guys giving grief to the opposition lineout I’d be giving them a pat on the back.

“We tried a few different things tonight in our lineout, we wanted to work a few things in the shape where Willie was, and I think we just got some of our calling wrong more than anything.”

Rob Simmons wins a lineout for the Reds against the Waratahs.

While their general attack and defence was of the highest quality, their set-piece woes need work in their week off.

NSW’s defence admirably held firm under enormous pressure and with a man down for 10 minutes to keep the Reds tryless, but the lineout weakness will be seized upon by the Brumbies and Chiefs, one of who will likely play the Tahs in Sydney on Saturday week following their elimination final in Canberra.

The defending champion Chiefs boast one of the most fearsome locks in the world in All Black Brodie Rettalick, while the Brumbies are steered by Ben Mowen, the most successful lineout operator in Super Rugby over the past two years.

The lineout was a major talking point during the week, with Simmons saying rival Will Skelton would weaken it, and the signs were worrying when Queensland began stealing NSW’s throws.

“That was our smoke-screen tonight, showing the other teams how bad we are at the lineout so we can get good later on — that’s my excuse anyway,” Cheika joked after the match.

“No, it was pretty terrible. But we haven’t had a day like that for a while.

“It’s a good reminder. What we have to improve on is everything, even the things we’re going well at, because everyone is coming now.

“It’s sudden death from now on so everyone is sharpening their pencils and getting their A-game ready and we can’t stay where we are.

Originally published as Lineout woes a worry for Waratahs heading into Super Rugby playoffs