News

Centurion Waugh rallies his troops

May 22 2008

Waratahs captain Phil Waugh and Head Coach Ewen McKenzie have told their young back-line to back themselves despite the massive pressure on their shoulders ahead of Saturday's Super 14 semi-final in Sydney.

Waugh, who will be playing his 100th game for New South Wales has given recalled rookie centre Rob Horne a vote of confindence ahead of the challenge of facing a star studded Sharks attack.

"Back yourself," was Waugh's advice, speaking to AAP.

Waugh is set to become just the fourth player to reach the 100-match mark for the Waratahs, after former captains and team-mates Matt Burke and Chris Whitaker and longtime loose forward partner David Lyons.

However Waugh's experince is in stark contrast with Horne, his midfield partner and fellow rookie Tom Carter, 19-year-old fly-half Kurtley Beale, wing Lachie Turner and scrum-half Luke Burgess who are all playing their first Super semi-finals.

"The most important thing is for the experienced guys to play well and lead everyone else," said Waugh.

"I think it makes it a lot easier for the less experienced guys to play when the older heads are showing the way and performing themselves.

"I think it's also about having the confidence to play how we've been playing all year and take risks when they're worth taking and knowing that the team is behind you, and above all else having that confidence to back yourself and know the team is standing behind you.

"We just want guys, if they see something's on, then to back themselves to take it," Waugh said.

"It's more about confidence to play rather than being nervous and going into our shells.

"I think it's also about having the confidence to play how we've been playing all year and take risks when they're worth taking and knowing the team is behind you."

While Waugh has urged his young team-mates not to hold back, flanker Rocky Elsom has no doubts the game will be decided up front.

"That will probably be the hallmark of the game- their forwards trying to get into our forwards and vice versa," Elsom said on Thursday.

"It's no secret that's a big strength of theirs. They've got a great pack, one of the best packs in the comp.

"And we think we've got a pretty decent pack as well, so that will be where the damage is done."

Head Coach McKenzie is fully aware of the quality of the Sharks pack, touted as one of best in the tournement.

"If you write their names down on a piece of paper, they're a pretty damn good scrum. There's no question about that," McKenzie said.

"They've got Springboks props on the bench. They've recruited very well in that area.

"They'll be banking on their forwards. Knowing the way they play, they'll be relying very heavily on their scrum, on their driving maul, on their kicking game."

The Waratahs beat the Sharks 25-10 in Sydney a month ago, with four second-half tries making the difference.

"It was 3-0 at half-time. It wasn't like we were well on top. We got away with it in the second-half when we played some of our best football of the season," McKenzie said.

"That might be coincidence or whatever. It's up to us to try and reproduce that.

"They'll rue that second-half a bit. They'll be better for this game for sure.

"They're an experienced team now with semifinal experience. I don't expect this game will be an easy game at all."

Regarding his selections, McKenzie added it was all about sticking to the combinations that have worked so far this season.

"This end of season is about managing the squad we've been working with for the entire campaign," said McKenzie.

"Apart from Al Manning we're working with the same guys who have done the job for us throughout the season.

"This week's selection reflects the combinations which have the most experience playing together this year. Those combinations have performed in the big games; this is a big game so we're confident the players and combinations which have done the job already can do it again on Saturday night."

Since public ticket sales opened on Tuesday, more than 30,000 tickets have already been sold for Saturday's clash, with McKenzie encouraging fans to get to the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night.

"We've been playing in this competition for 13 seasons now and this is only the third time we've earned a home semi which shows just how hard the Super 14 is," said McKenzie.

"Ticket sales have been really strong which is great. I think the Rugby community is acknowledging how well this group of guys have performed in 2008 and hopefully we'll have the 'full house' sign up on Saturday."