‘Some really soft moments’: Waratahs coach blasts ’embarrassing’ lack of effort

0
24

When you lose a rugby game 35-15 there are always plenty of video nasties for the coaching staff to unleash in Monday morning's review.

But none will stick in Dan McKellar's craw more than Richie Asiata's first half try for the Queensland Reds.

"Some really soft moments – that maul try was borderline embarrassing for all involved," NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said.

Watch all the action from the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season on Stan Sport, the only place to watch every match ad free, live and on demand

Indeed, the reserve hooker could barely believe his luck as the Waratahs pack disintegrated and young halfback Teddy Wilson was left to try and slow down the marauding Queenslanders on his own.

Taniela Tupou wasn't the only culprit but it was noticeable that the star Wallabies recruit bizarrely just watched on as the Reds powered their way over the line.

"I think it's a pretty simple fix, we've got to put the head in the maul and stop it," Waratahs captain Hugh Sinclair.

Charlie Gamble of the Waratahs looks dejected. Getty

"Yeah, it's hard to stop a rolling maul if you stand there and watch it," McKellar – a former Queensland prop – bemoaned.

It was a strange turn of events given the NSW forwards had been excellent in a 3-0 start to the season and were bossing the Reds in the opening 20 minutes at Suncorp Stadium.

Fullback Andrew Kellaway's yellow card for a tip tackle on Wallabies captain Harry Wilson proved a turning point as NSW suffered its first loss of the season.

NEW PODCAST! The crew discuss the fallout from Nick Phipps' controversial comments on the great north vs south debate.

"At 21-8 we were pretty positive at halftime around if we just executed what we discussed and what we trained, then we felt we could get right back into the game," McKellar said.

"But again, just a couple of soft moments, and if you give the Reds soft moments, they'll take advantage of it, especially at home. I thought for the first 20 minutes, we were probably the dominant side, and for the next 60, they certainly were. So, we got what we deserved."

It's certainly not all doom and gloom for the Waratahs but they now face another tricky assignment at home to the in-form ACT Brumbies.

Stephen Larkham's squad would love nothing more than to inflict more misery on a NSW squad that attracted all the off-season headlines for its big money signing spree.

Wallabies stars Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Jake Gordon and Lalakai Foketi all missed the Reds loss with injury.

Centre Foketi is a chance to return against the Brumbies but captain Gordon will definitely be out with his knee injury and fullback Suaalii is unlikely to be back as he starts running again after a toe problem.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here