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Todd Louden: Waratahs backline can reign for years
By Jon Geddes Todd Louden: Waratahs backline can reign for years | The Daily Telegraph
May 15, 2008 12:00am
WARATAHS attack coach Todd Louden has expressed his passionate belief in his rookie backline ahead of Saturday's showdown with Queensland - declaring NSW are at the start of a dynasty.
But Louden is praying for a dry track in Brisbane on Saturday night to allow Kurtley Beale, Luke Burgess and Lote Tuquri to unleash their full weaponry.
"It's really important the Waratahs keep this backline together for a long time, just as they have done with the forwards," Louden said.
"Looking at where they started from to where they are now, they are going to have one hell of a backline.
"I believe if they keep it together and they reach their potential it could be a real dynasty."
Louden, who is heading to Japan at the end of the season, has a clear message for the man who steps into the hot seat as the next Waratahs coach. "Whoever takes them on next year has really got his hands full in the sense that the foundations have been laid now and they have a lot more left in the tank," he said.
After playing a key role in the Bulls' Super 14 title win in 2007, the quiet achiever Louden has been a very influential figure in the emergence of the Waratahs' backs as a real force this season.
"We have to understand this is probably one of the youngest backlines in Super 14 history in terms of experience and age," Louden said.
"I don't think there are many backlines out there who have achieved what they have in what I think is the hardest rugby competition in the world.
"I'm quite proud of them."
Louden hopes that given their performances, every back would be in consideration for the first Wallabies squad to be named early next month.
He is confident that the rookie NSW backs will only keep improving.
"You haven't seen the best of them yet, that's for sure," he said.
"I still think we are building.
"I don't think we have seen our potential as a backline and as a team, which is an exciting thing."
He is looking for that improvement to continue against arch-rivals Queensland in the game which will determine NSW's finals fate.
"We have got to win the game - that is the first priority. But it is such a youthful and exuberant backline that anything could happen," he said.
"Our best performances have been on a dry track as a backline unit and as a team.
"But nine out of our 12 games have been in the rain and it is quite hard for the backs to find their rhythm."
A key match-up will be between potential Wallaby five-eighths Beale and Quade Cooper. "Kurtley has played some pretty big games this year - he is a pretty cool hand. I don't see him worrying about Quade too much," Louden said.
Beale is one of the NSW players to kick on this year with the help of Louden's guidance.
Louden said Beale has a great football instinct and has developed an understanding of how to control the game this season.
"He has worked hard and come an incredible way with that," Louden said. "He trusts those guys outside him and is confident of making the calls now."
The Reds have named Wallabies Sam Cordingley and Rodney Blake on their bench for Saturday's game.
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Originally Posted by chook
with burgess. turner, beale and horne in place the tahs backs might one day be as good as your forwards. ..... one day 
