NSW have refuted suggestions they need to overhaul their Super Rugby squad and are confident they already have the personnel to turn their horror run around next year.
Saturday night’s 33-12 capitulation to the Hurricanes ensured the Waratahs have brought up 10 losses for the first time ever in a season and are set to record their worst winning percentage since 2007 when they won just three matches in a thirteen-game campaign.
The embattled franchise have already made one astute purchase for 2013, with impressive Brumbies No.7 Michael Hooper on his way to Moore Park.
Coach Michael Foley is under pressure to save his own job but said only minor adjustments were needed for next year.
Foley insists the Waratahs won’t be clearing the decks.
“There’s not a lot to do with this squad, there’ll be a couple of things we’ll look at,” said Foley after the Waratahs’ record sixth-straight loss.
“That (personnel changes) naturally happens as a result of players coming out of contract and there’s a different landscape next year in terms of salary caps and so forth and we’ve already begun that process.
“I think Michael Hooper is a fair sign of the direction we’re looking to take both in terms of quality and also younger players.”
Captain Rocky Elsom is expected to head overseas next year to finish his career after only playing a handful of matches, while halfback Brendan McKibbin has been linked with a move to homeland Scotland – although he’s said he’d rather remain in Moore Park.
Halfback is certainly a worrying position for the Waratahs, with McKibbin and South African import Sarel Pretorius unable to make the No.9 jersey their own this season.
Foley said his namesake at fullback Bernard Foley and winger Tom Kingston had enjoyed breakout seasons and young forwards Pat McCutheon and Damien Fitzpatrick would come back bigger and better from injury, in a sign the Waratahs have faith in their youth.
Wallabies No.8 Wycliff Palu re-signed with NSW last month and says part of the reason he committed to a new deal was because he believes the Waratahs have the players to be a force in Super Rugby.
“In the past we’ve come away from games against some sides and probably felt we had no answer to them in the game, but this year we’ve played a lot of good sides and it’s just us letting ourselves down rather than them taking the win,” Palu told AAP.
“The fact (the losses) are through our own errors, that’s the positive.
“And strategy wise I think for each game we’ve gone in spot on and it’s a huge plus to all the coaching staff, it’s just us as players who need to execute.”
Fellow Australian representative Tatafu Polota-Nau agreed the current squad has what it takes to turn their fortunes around.
“Absolutely there’s no doubt. You put the squad on paper and it’s a formidable squad,” he said.
Palu got through his first 80-minute performance in several seasons against the Hurricanes, and he and fellow Wallabies’ squad member Polota-Nau say they’ve pulled up well to be considered for Test selection this week.
