Phil Waugh backs Brumies’ decision to rest stars despite risking a repeat of infamous 2002 defeat

FORMER Waratahs captain Phil Waugh has backed Stephen Larkham’s decision to rest stars and focus on next week’s Super Rugby quarter-finals despite the example set by NSW in 2002.

FORMER Waratahs captain Phil Waugh has backed Stephen Larkham’s decision to rest stars and focus on next week’s Super Rugby quarter-finals despite the infamous example set by NSW in 2002.

Larkham made 12 changes to the Brumbies’ side who lost to Queensland for the side to take on the Chiefs in Hamilton, with Wallabies Sam Carter, Joe Powell, Allan Alaalatoa among those kept in cotton wool.

In a team of reserves and rookies, only winger Henry Speight, five- eighth Wharenui Hawera and flanker Scott Fardy retained from last week’s run on team.

Larkham admitted he was unashamedly focusing on next Friday’s quarter-final in Canberra, with the Brumbies already locked in as hosts.

“We are heavily focused on putting on a good performance at home next Friday night,” Larkham said.

“We are lucky this year we have been able to prep for the finals without having to win these last two games. But in saying that we are taking a team over there to putting our best performance on the paddock.”

The Brumbies could play either the Chiefs or the Hurricanes in the quarters and while fresh troops would be handy, a heavy defeat would be far from ideal leading into the playoffs.

It’s a scenario the Waratahs remember well. They will never be able to forget it, in fact.

ACT Brumbies Coach Stephen Larkham.

The 2002 Tahs under Bob Dwyer rested several players against the Crusaders in the last round and got pumped by a record 96-19 scoreline. The Waratahs then had to front up and play the Brumbies — with Larkham on board — in the semi-final and lost 51-10.

Waugh, who was rested on an injured ankle, said it did some damage but he understood Dwyer’s decision — and Larkham’s.

“A defeat of that magnitude can leave some psychological damage but leading into the game there was some thought in process and the decision, but the way they came out and played and the damage off the back of it — the press attention and all that — it was obviously damaging in hindsight,” Waugh said.

What it does is it allows guys to freshen up and get ready to hit the team that arrives in Canberra a week later. Particularly if it is going to be the Chiefs I can certainly see the merit in Bernie’s thinking.

“There are pros and cons right? There’s nothing like having match fitness and match readiness, but if they’re going to be fresh and you are not necessarily showing all your cards against them and be ready to hit them in Canberra, you can see some merit in that.”

The Chiefs have also rested Test stars but still have a strong outfit.

Larkham said the plan to rest stars came before a handful of several players were injured against the Reds, including Rory Arnold and Kyle Godwin.

“We made this decision and we thought about it long and hard. We are resting some players who have played pretty much the whole year for us and most of the Test series, we’re giving those guys a bit of a break this weekend,” Larkham said.

“With six-day turnaround into a Friday night game in Canberra, we want to put everything into that game.

“We want to make sure those guys who have been putting in for us all year are nice and fresh coming into that game as well.”

Originally published as Phil Waugh backs Brumies’ decision to rest stars despite risking a repeat of infamous 2002 defeat