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Tahs, ACT must succeed - for Australia's sake
JOSH RAKIC
February 7, 2010
The ARU's David Nucifora says these sides must make the Super 14 semi-finals, writes Josh Rakic.
'It's really important that we get an Australian team in the Super 14 finals - it's hugely important.''
These are the words of Wallabies high-performance director David Nucifora, who says that failure by the star-studded Waratahs and Brumbies sides to at least qualify for the semi-finals could prove catastrophic for the rebuilding of Australian rugby.
''Last year was disappointing for Australian rugby and it's really important that one of our teams at least makes the semi-finals,'' he said. ''We've got teams that have the capabilities to win the competition, I have no doubt about that, so from an Australian Rugby perspective we need them to make good on that potential.
''Everyone from John O'Neill down has acknowledged the concern in reduced crowd and television figures over the past year or two, and we feel 2010 is very important in winning back fans.
''With the firepower that certainly the Brumbies and the Waratahs have, they should be aiming at nothing less than the semi-finals and I'm sure they're aiming at winning the tournament. They should be.
''Both sides have recruited very well and there are a lot of expectations on them to perform well. Australian rugby needs it.''
Nucifora placed the onus firmly on the shoulders of incumbent Wallabies players, especially those who were give their first taste of international football last season. He said they needed to prove why they were worthy of retaining their positions in the Wallabies squad.
''I'd like to see the younger guys, who've had an opportunity at Wallabies level to make a real impact on their Super rugby teams - players like Will Genia, Quade Cooper, all those boys,'' he said. ''That's really important.
''They need to show belief in their ability and take on added responsibility now they've played at the highest level with and against the world's best players.
''I want all our teams to do well and build winning habits so they get used to winning. That's a key thing for all of them. And those young guys are the future.''
However, Nucifora warned fans injuries would play a major role in the success of the Australian teams.
''It's a really tough competition - it's incredibly tough. And a lot of things can happen between rounds one and 12, trying to keep your team together,'' Nucifora said.
''The smallest things make big differences in this competition. When you go back over teams that have won Super rugby titles, you look at their injury rate and it's almost non existent. Obliviously the coach and players are important, but the smarts of the medical and conditioning staff to keep the players up there, fit and healthy for the duration of the tournament, is critical to winning.
''At the Brumbies when we won the comp in 2004, we used a very small number of players that year - it's the same with any team that's won the competition.''
Nucifora on the Brumbies
''Obviously the Brumbies have recruited well and snared some pretty key players, but like I've said before it's about managing them and keeping them on the field and mentally fresh and keen.
''The Brumbies will be tough, they've got a good side. And they've got a lot of guys now who have had a lot of international experience and they should be coming back into Super rugby and be brimming with confidence. Even when you go down to young blokes like Matt Toomua, who obviously has confidence from his trip, they should really be adding something. They've got some good depth there this year but there's also a lot of expectation.''
Nucifora on the Waratahs
''They will be strong again this year. They've got a pretty good balance in their team. Their back line this year, they've got a bit better flow to it than what it's had the last couple of years, so I'd expect them to be there.
''Tom Carter has played well in the trials and there's a bit of pressure on him to hold his place now that Daniel Halangahu, Kurtley Beale and Berrick Barnes are all vying for the 10 and 12 jumpers as well.
''Hopefully Rob Horne comes back well from injury and then there's more competition again.
''Berrick Barnes is a great acquisition. He's a great player and a hard worker. He'll show a lot of those blokes up as to how to train. He'll be good for Kurtley Beale and a few of the younger guys.''
Nucifora on the Force
''They'll be interesting. They've recruited well, I reckon. They've made some really good decisions and brought some experienced guys into their forward pack to strengthen it. They've obviously got some real strength in their tight five.
''In their back row, I thought Matt Hodgson had a fantastic Wallaby tour and you put him, David Pocock and Brown together and it's an exceptionally strong forward pack.
''It'll obviously come down to how they play, but I reckon they're capable of doing well. Again, it's keeping those players on the field.''
Nucifora on the Reds
''It's a bit of a wait-and-see as to how they go, but they've certainly got the back line. The Reds will be more about how their tight five pulls together and what [coach] Ewen [McKenzie] can do with them.
''They don't have the expectations on them and with Ewen McKenzie there it's a fresh approach. And a lot of times that's what clubs need, just to be freshened up. The ideas aren't radical that have come in but they'll be new and it'll be the way that Ewen puts it to them. They'll be excited about what they've got and, again, you're going to have young guys who should come back from that Wallabies tour with added confidence.
''Belief in your ability is enormous. If you get the belief that you can win, that's probably one of the most powerful things a team can have. And that's what Ewen's trying to do, that's why he wants to win trial games, because winning becomes a habit and then you get that belief in your ability and then that snowballs.''
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/un...0206-njrp.html
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), it may come down to how well our defensive structures hold. There's little doubt we'll need to play in the oppo's half. If we can contain the attack/counter attack of the sides with the great back lines our pack should be able to win enough good ball to release Rabbit, Sheps & Co when the time is right. Simple game on paper, isn't it. 
Originally Posted by tragic
