The NSW Waratahs’ Super Rugby season is on life support and players say team bonding is the only medicine.
The Waratahs departed on their two-match South African tour on Saturday and even though they won’t yet concede, their finals hopes were probably dashed by Friday night’s devastating 27-24 collapse against the Bulls in Sydney.
Twelve points off the Australian Conference lead and with one hell of a road trip coming up against the Stormers and Cheetahs, the Waratahs are paddling against an overwhelming current.
Sore bodies and bruised egos will make the long flight to Cape Town seem even longer after they threw match away with a horrible error in the final minutes.
However, experienced playmaker Daniel Halangahu says after the crushing circumstances of the Bulls loss, the squad will relish the chance to escape Sydney and keep team spirit alive.
Halangahu says the team won’t let their dire position on the ladder affect their focus, and they’ll prepare for next week’s game at Newlands with a siege mentality.
“Yeah definitely, it’ll be a good thing. When you spend that much time with each other it’s always a time for a team to bond together,” Halangahu told AAP.
“Being here in Sydney and being quite spread out, it’s an opportunity for the guys to live in each other’s pockets.
“By the end of the two weeks we’ll probably be sick of each other but I think it’s a good opportunity for the team to get away and re-focus a little bit.
“The Stormers and Bulls (second and first respectively in South African conference) are playing pretty similar footy at the moment so the game last night (can be) good for us going into the hostile environment at Newlands.”
The versatile Halangahu said he enjoyed playing an unfamiliar role at fullback against the Bulls, and his combination with No.10 Berrick Barnes and his wingers worked well.
With Bernard Foley included in the 22-man squad for the South African tour, Halangahu is no certainty to hold onto the No.15 shirt against the Stormers – but is hoping for another chance.
“It’s a different role for me with how I interact with the others. It was good to get back and get some good minutes,” he said.
“There’s a lot of teams that put a lot of pressure on the back three, and the Bulls and Stormers are two of those … so I’ll be better for that first run and looking forward to getting out there next week.”
Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau is also set to return from concussion against the Stormers, while Drew Mitchell is on track to complete his remarkable comeback from an ankle injury against the Cheetahs.
Squad: Forwards – Chris Alcock, Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas. Rocky Elsom (capt), Jono Jenkins, Sekope Kepu, Josh Mann-Rea, Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson, Jeremy Tilse, Lopeti Timani, Sitaleki Timani, John Ulugia. Backs – Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Tom Carter, Bernard Foley, Rob Horne, Daniel Halangahu, Tom Kingston, Brendan McKibbin, Drew Mitchell, Atieli Pakalani, Sarel Pretorius.
