Crusaders make most of chances as Waratahs lack necessary class

Greg Growden What a sensational Mr T hairstyle, and what a devastating performance from the Crusaders centre Robbie Fruean.

Landmark triumph over Crusaders puts rising Rebels on front foot to face fast-fading Force

Greg Growden THE Melbourne Rebels are describing their victory over the Crusaders as their greatest triumph, while the Western Force are pondering whether they have experienced a more humiliating moment after...

Smiling assassin: Deans ready to show no mercy

Greg Growden Does it help or hinder you that the Australian provinces finished the Super Rugby season relatively early?

Blades of steel: bid to get forwards to raise the standard of set pieces

Greg Growden TIRED of being penalised for having a suspect scrum, the Wallabies pack this year will try to prove they are faultless up front to ensure a better deal from referees.

MONDAY MAUL

Kiwis and Boks give Wallabies a wake-up call

Greg Growden There are advantages and disadvantages in Australia having no representation in the final weeks of the Super Rugby tournament.

Waratahs' follies in another one-point defeat puts greater pressure on Foley's grip on the top job

Greg Growden THE Waratahs are in crisis following the most exasperating and brain-dead of losses in South Africa where, for the third time this season, they fell just one point short of their opponents.

Rugby

O'Connor plays fast and loose - and creates perfect TV

Greg Growden Don't you just love those half-time interviews when TV types confront delirious players, whose eyes are still rolling in the back of their heads, and ask their thoughts on what had just happened?

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The fine print that puts the Reds well and truly in the frame

Greg Growden THE doomsayers are predicting the Reds have no chance of making the finals. That's because they haven't read the fine print. The Reds, on the other hand, remain buoyant for several good reasons.

Rugby

Deans prepares to go on the attack

Greg Growden INTERNATIONAL rugby works in cycles, with leading coaches often arguing over what is supposedly the dominant force - attack or defence - and how to counter it.

Rugby

Waratahs to turn up excitement without kicking out game plan

Greg Growden THE call to be more extravagant has come from above, but don't expect the Waratahs to suddenly become the great entertainers of this year's Super Rugby tournament.

Mitchell tipped to miss half season

Greg Growden Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell is in danger of missing half the Super Rugby season, which will force the Waratahs to play two youngsters for their opening match against the Queensland Reds in Sydney...

Tahs are aiming for afternoon delights

Greg Growden THE Waratahs are relying on old-fashioned afternoon football to address the alarming slide in their home-crowd figures.

Monday Maul

That's how we roll: Foley's early taste of Tah madness

Greg Growden What a terrible initiation to the demands of the head coaching job. In a few seconds, Michael Foley, in his first game as the Waratahs coach, saw his dream of beating the Super Rugby titleholders...

Comments 30

Greg Growden

One slip-up and home side goes hungry

Greg Growden It doesn't get any more exasperating than this. The Waratahs dominate the match up front, were for most of the night the better team, should have won, but one indiscretion in the final seconds, one...

Rugby

Cooper no shoo-in to take spot from Reds superboot

Greg Growden NO WONDER Quade Cooper was looking a bit edgy during a television interview after the Reds' win over the Force in Brisbane on Saturday night.

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Rugby

Highlanders gathering, but Tahs will be equipped

Greg Growden THE Waratahs believe they have the necessary variety in their attack - in particular knowing when to go direct - to avoid any Highlanders trap.

Worried Waratahs get boost in Barnes

Greg Growden BERRICK BARNES will at last appear in the Waratahs No.10 jersey, Tom Carter is in contention for a midfield spot and a new captain is in the offing as the Waratahs try to salvage their season by...

Rugby

Tahs get ready to shut out SBW as bye week looms

Greg Growden THE Waratahs are being called on for one more herculean effort before having a week off to recuperate, with their prime task being to nullify Sonny Bill Williams when they meet the Chiefs in Hamilton...

Rugby

Waratahs to launch crusade for more afternoon matches

Greg Growden The Waratahs will lobby SANZAR and the Australian Rugby Union for more afternoon matches, but how many and when will be determined by the interest in one of the team's most important games of the...