Pep talk from Paul Gallen has baby Tahs ready to rumble after Queensland warns of “bloodbath”
The Waratahs have heard the threats from Queensland before and even with 10 rookies in the current squad, the blunt message for the Reds is if they want to go the biff: “Bring. It. On.”
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Revved up by Paul Gallen, the baby Waratahs are ready to answer the bell and come out swinging after Queensland threatened to turn Friday night’s Super Rugby restart into a “bloodbath.”
Despite losing their last 11 Super Rugby matches against NSW, the Reds are once again talking themselves up by trying to intimidate the young Waratahs before they step foot on Suncorp Stadium.
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Everyone from NSW has heard that all before but with 10 rookies in their squad, the Waratahs will be heading into enemy territory with one of their youngest and most inexperienced line-ups ever but with a blunt message for the Queenslanders if they want to go the biff: “Bring it on.”
“The boys are picked because they’re good enough,” NSW coach Rob Penney said.
“The expectation is that they’ll deliver on that so we won’t be reducing the expectations.”
Predicting the Reds’ strongman approach, Penney invited Gallen to talk to the Waratahs last week about the pride he felt whenever he was playing in the blue jersey.
But when the on-field enforcer and undefeated heavyweight boxer asked the players if they had any questions, the fired-up Tahs peppered him for tips on fighting.
The Reds, with their own youngsters spoiling for a brawl, have wasted no time in upping the ante, with skipper Liam Wright declaring the gloves are off and saying Queensland coach Brad Thorn was their secret weapon.
“You’ve seen in past games it’s a bloodbath and we really want to do a number on them,” Wright said.
“Once you pull on the Queensland jersey, anyone with that blue jersey becomes an enemy.”
“(Thorn) He‘s our own Paul Gallen but he didn‘t need to pump us up too much. We’re Queenslanders and Queensland want to smash New South Wales.”
Still reeling from last year’s embarrassing early World Cup exit, Australia’s Super Rugby teams were on the nose when the original Super Rugby season started this season.
The crowds stayed away and most teams, but particularly the Waratahs and Reds who are in a new rebuilding phase, struggled against the Kiwis and Penney reckons the return to local derbies in the revamped domestic competition will see a surge in interest.
“We’ve got to make people fall in love with rugby again here and make it a game that people want to spend some time being involved in,” he said.
“We have a responsibility to the greater game but every week there’s going to be two trials for the national team.
“It’s state versus state across every game, so it’s wonderful.”
With Kurtley Beale and Damien Fitzpatrick having left and senior players Karmichael Hunt, Jake Gordon, Tom Robertson and Lalakai Foketi all injured, Penney has turned to the former Junior Wallabies in his squad for tomorrow’s season relaunch.
The squad features 10 rookies, including emerging stars Angus Bell, Will Harrison and Mark Nawaqanitawase, who made their debuts earlier this season.
He also selected five previously uncapped players, including inside centre Joey Walton and No. 8 Will Harris, who got the starting role ahead of World Cup Wallaby Jack Dempsey.
“Anyone that has seen Will Harris play will understand he is an outstanding footballer,” Penney said. “He’s ready now.
“We’re also excited about what Joey is going to bring. Of course he’s not the finished product yet and he’s outside another young star in Will Harrison but it’s a great opportunity to give these boys a chance.
“When the time is right, the time is right. Some of them had opportunities and then when we came back after COVID it’d be fair to say the energy levels were led to a large degree by the young boys.
“Everybody got in behind and rode the crest of that wave. It’s a credit to them. The time is right to give them an opportunity and let them unleash themselves.”
NSW Waratahs squad to play Queensland.
15-Jack Maddocks, 14.-James Ramm, 13-Alex Newsome, 12-Jovey Walton, 11-Mark Nawaqanitawase, 10-Will Harrison, 9-Mitch Short, 8-Will Harris, 7-Michael Hooper, 6-Lachlan Swinton, 5-Rob Simmons (captain), 4-Ned Hanigan, 3-Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2-Robbie Abel, 1-Angus Bell
Replacements: 16-Tom Horton, 17-Tetera Faulkner, 18-Tiaan Taukaipulu, 19-Tom Staniforth, 20-Jack Dempsey, 21-Michael Mcdonald, 22-Ben Donaldson, 23-Tepai Moeroa
concussion.
2020 Vodafone Super Rugby AU: Round 1
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Friday, July 3
7.05pm: Reds v Waratahs
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Saturday, July 4
7.15pm: Brumbies v Rebels
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2020 Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa: Round 4
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Saturday, July 4
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Sunday, July 5
1.35pm: Chiefs v Hurricanes
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*All times listed in AEST