Hurting Waratahs players share some home truths

The Waratahs have told each other some home truths following their 32-15 loss to the Brumbies in Canberra.

Nick Phipps says the Waratahs have been brutally honest with each other about their recent loss to the Brumbies. Picture: Mark Evans

The Waratahs are getting mean — with each other.

The NSW players have shared some home truths between themselves following last Friday night’s 32-15 loss to the Brumbies in Canberra, and halfback Nick Phipps believes the brutal honesty will help them rebound against the Highlanders in Sydney on Friday week.

“It’s pretty disappointing for the squad. We went down there (to Canberra) with a clear plan about what we wanted to do and we didn’t execute it well enough,” Phipps said.

“There were a few key moments in the game where we let ourselves down. A lack of discipline in the first 20 (minutes) where we really wanted to try and exert ourselves and we just didn’t execute it.

“This bye week is as good as any to nut out a lot of things and say a few mean things to each other about what we need to improve on, where we need to go, and we’ve got two solid weeks to nut it out.

“We have to make sure we are honest with each other. You are often a better mate if you say something that’s pretty hard to say. Everyone in the squad has little areas we have to work on. That collective bind is something we will look forward to after the bye.”

One of the areas the Waratahs will be discussing is discipline — or lack of it.

After two rounds they have conceded more penalties (15.5 a game) than any other team in the competition, including four penalties in the first four minutes in Canberra.

“I think it is enthusiasm,” Phipps said. “Some of our boys are really excited to be out there. Very tight forward pack. They love playing with each other and they all want to add to each other.

“When you are pushing that line you are giving away penalties and it really hurts the team. We know we have the skills in our armoury to be able to dominate in that area, making sure we are composed enough to make the right decisions at the right moments (and) not pushing that line, not giving away those penalties.

“There’s no need to give away silly penalties. We have to make sure we stick to our system and keep working together as opposed to trying to do a miracle play that you think is good for the team but in the end really punishes you.”

Phipps said they had at times played like a young side rather than a team of seasoned veterans.

“I thought on the weekend we had a few signs that we were a young team, which probably isn’t good enough for the people we’ve got in our squad.

“A few brain snaps out there. Some silly penalties. Some of the defence wasn’t as solid as it needed to be through the middle. That’s something Greysie (defence coach Nathan Grey) has been stomping around about. I’m sure we’ll have plenty more practice before the next game.”

That the Waratahs were physically dominated by the Brumbies had also wounded their pride.

“We just need to make sure we keep that physical edge for the full 80 minutes,” Phipps said. “That’s something we have built into our club mantra since the big guy (former coach Michael Cheika) came on board three years ago.

“It’s disappointing that it was perceived that we were physically nullified just through the fact that we weren’t smart enough. The physicality is still right up there. It’s just about being smarter.”

Phipps was optimistic his halves partner Bernard Foley would return for the Highlanders match after recovering from a shoulder injury.

“Hopefully, the little fella will be back,” he said.

“He has been easing into training this week.”