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Is it just me or are our eastern states coaches blind to the fact that the current frontrow for NSW, (with all thier relative Wallabies experience), is still absolutely crap??? I still love my Tahs, so don't get the idea i am tahbashing, 'cause i ain't...I am just repeatedly frustrated by calls from so-called experts saying the same bullsh*t about thier abilities...Reality check fellla, they suck...Baxter wouldn't know a bind, even if he was in an S and M club, and donut dunning ebbs and flows in his abilities, and when all else fails falls over at the engagements...Sure they may be strong as mules, but that has only made them better asses...
Anyhow, here's the article, and i hope the tahs get up anyway...
THE Waratahs forwards have found an unlikely supporter in Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher, who predicts they should easily get the better of a beefed-up Highlanders pack on Saturday.
"I think they'll be fine," Fisher said of NSW's challenge against a new-look Highlanders pack. "I don't think we had any real issues with them [on Saturday], so I don't expect the Waratahs having any scrum problem."
Fisher's words might be a boost for NSW, but the Brumbies coach could also benefit if the Highlanders feel stung by his comments and come out firing against the Waratahs at Carisbrook. A bruising encounter between the two packs at the "House of Pain" could soften up the Waratahs for their round-four clash against NSW in Sydney on Friday week.
The Waratahs have done their homework on the Highlanders pack, and have noted the size and strength of their new front row. Gone is the All Blacks trio of tight-head prop Carl Hayman, hooker Anton Oliver and loose-head Clarke Dermody. In their place is a new and relatively inexperienced but heavyweight 367-kilogram trio of Clint Newland (130kg), Jason MacDonald (108kg) and Jamie Mackintosh (129kg).
NSW's Al Baxter (116kg), Adam Freier (101kg) and Matt Dunning (119kg) will concede 31kg - but have plenty of Super 14 and Test experience. Freier, set to equal former Wallabies captain Phil Kearns's record mark of 73 state caps for a NSW hooker, believes the Waratahs scrum will show how nous can overcome brawn.
"We have looked at their scrum a hell of a lot," Freier said yesterday before a heated training session that saw Dunning and second-rower Dan Vickerman almost come to blows and Junior Waratahs second-rower Adam Burns sidelined to cool off.
"All Otago packs are very good. I would like to say that we do have a better scrum. But I would like to go into the game with the attitude that we have to do everything right, and that we have to be the most determined and technically sound scrum in the competition."
In 12 years of Super rugby the Waratahs have lost only once to the Highlanders at Carisbrook - in 2001 (39-20) - and twice in Sydney. But NSW are wary of a team that has lost two from two games this year and will be playing in their first home fixture. "They are a team that isn't getting much love," Freier said. "They are the teams you don't want to play."
Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie believes brains can beat brute strength. "You have to play with nous as well [as brawn]. You have to make sure you are smarter about how you play these games," he said.
McKenzie is unlikely to make major line-up changes for Saturday. But he could position Timana Tahu - and possibly Lote Tuqiri - at No.10 in defence to minimise the weakness in that channel. Both ran there in defence at training yesterday.
* The Brumbies will today name their side for Saturday's clash with the Reds in Canberra. Academy rookie Leo Afeaki is set to be named at outside-centre, with Tyrone Smith moving in from No.13 to No.12 to replace the sidelined Anthony Faingaa.
The Reds, hit by the six-week loss of No.6 Hugh McMeniman (fractured ankle) have been buoyed by halfback Sam Cordingley's possible availability. There had been fears a groin strain could spell him for two to four weeks.
* A one-off Test between South Africa and Argentina in Johannesburg in August was not a precursor to a Pumas tour of the SANZAR nations, the Australian Rugby Union said yesterday.
For Argentina to also play Australia and New Zealand, as has been proposed, they must field a full-strength team.
"We have not received any information that they will have a full-strength side," an ARU spokesman said. "That was one of the conditions of the invitation."
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