The question for the Waratahs this year is how much have they been able to grow in the off-season after exceeding their fans’ very low expectations in 2022? Where is Darren Coleman growing the NSW game, and which players are going to be key to delivering it?
There were a few answers in Narrabri on Saturday, when the Waratahs and Reds pitted their strongest line-ups against each other for the first 40 minutes. The Waratahs won that head-to-head, running into the sheds 21-18 ahead at half-time and extending it to 28-18 until Queensland re-entered the race in the final 20 minutes. A try to new recruit Nemani Nadolo clinched a 33-32 win for the hosts but replays showed the powerhouse winger lost the ball over the try line.
The Waratahs celebrate with teen rookie Max Jorgensen, who scored against the Reds in Narrabri.
Son of a gun
In the lead-up to the match and with Dylan Pietsch out with a quadriceps strain, Coleman was tight-lipped about his choice to partner Mark Nawaqanitawase on the left wing.
We can now read that as a protective gesture towards 18-year-old Max Jorgensen, who only finished high school last year but shone for NSW, scoring a second-half try in a performance that will all but guarantee him a Super Rugby debut in round one.
Pietsch is only an outside chance to return for the season opener against the Brumbies at Allianz Stadium, meaning Coleman has an interesting decision to make. Until the first trial against the Brumbies a week ago, Jorgensen had only played 30 minutes against grown men, in a Waratahs Academy match against a Brumbies development squad.
Max Jorgensen darts through the Queensland defence to score for NSW.Credit:Stan Sport
In the Brumbies trial he had some early wobbles but overcame them to finish strongly, then used some early touches to build his confidence against the Reds. His 43rd-minute try was a thing of jinking beauty and he held his own in the physicality stakes.
A natural fullback, who played all his schoolboy rugby there, Kurtley Beale’s suspension has presented an opportunity for the teenager. Then again, if Coleman settles on Tane Edmed at No.10, Ben Donaldson will start at the back and Jorgensen will play on the wing. Any combination of the above is a good result for Waratahs fans and when Pietsch returns the depth chart improves again.
Ten questions
Which brings us to the matter of the NSW five-eighth. Coleman used Narrabri as an equal opportunity experiment, using Donaldson at No.15 when Edmed started at five-eighth and Edmed at inside-centre when Donaldson moved up.
Both had their merits, with Donaldson looking comfortable with some room to move and Edmed’s toughness appealing at first-receiver. Then again, Donaldson takes good options at No.10 and the pair play well together up close to the ruck.
Coleman has some tricky decisions to make. He wants to give his round-one squad two full weeks to prepare together.
Ben Donaldson and Tane Edmed are battling it out for the NSW No.10 jersey in round one.Credit:Getty, Fairfax
Injury bites
Ned Hanigan was injured in a tackle and could be out 4-6 weeks with damage to the medial ligament in his left knee. It is a cruel blow for the No.6/lock, who spent last Test season sidelined with another, unrelated knee injury.
Outside centre Izaia Perese is making his way back from a hamstring niggle, which struck just before the Brumbies trial. On the flipside, Coleman will welcome back Wallabies Michael Hooper and Dave Porecki.
Powered up
The Waratahs pack looked mobile, damaging and accurate, as well as kilograms heavier than their 2022 selves. Hooker Mahe Vailanu threw straight, worked hard off the ball and scored two tries off rolling mauls, while Tolu Latu showed for a second week he wants to nail his second stint in Super Rugby.
But it was the second and back rows where they looked most dangerous, Jed Holloway, Hanigan, Will Harris, Charlie Gamble and Lachie Swinton attacking as a cohesive unit. Even Lalakai Foketi looked bigger and stronger, an exciting prospect given the centre’s well-established smarts and skills. The club’s athletic performance head Nick Lumley has had the squad hard at work.
Noddy’s boy steps up
There was plenty to like about the Reds too, as you’d expect in a match decided by one point and a dubious try. Tom Lynagh is showing the benefits of a season away from the limelight in Brisbane’s club competition, stepping up to run the show in James O’Connor’s unexpected absence (ankle) with assertiveness and creativity, ably assisted by experienced halfback Tate McDermott. No.8 Harry Wilson stood up to be counted, while newcomer Floyd Aubrey offered up an imperfect but promising performance on the wing that included a first-half try.
Tom Lynagh was strong against the Waratahs in a trial clash in Narrabri.Credit:Brendan Hertel/QRU
The Reds are stacked with coaching IQ this season, University of Queensland coach Mick Heenan joining the staff as a senior assistant alongside Phil Blake (defence), Jim McKay (attack) and head coach Brad Thorn. It is a big one for Thorn, off contract at the end of the year. The Reds will be looking to improve their record against New Zealand sides, against which their season foundered last year. Unlike last year’s Covid-affected draw, Australian teams will not be eased into the trans-Tasman rounds. The Reds host the Hurricanes in Townsville in round one.
Faster game
There are some welcome rule tweaks including a shot clock for conversions (90 seconds) and penalties (60 seconds) and 30-second time limits on scrums and lineouts once the mark has been given.
In Narrabri the defending halfbacks were also pulled into line around the scrum. The defending No.9 must stay on their own team’s side of the middle line when they’re within one metre of the scrum. Let’s call it an anti-pestering measure, as halfbacks weep around the world.
There is also a change to foul play protocol which could make a big difference. A referee will issue a yellow card for any observable act of foul play and the offending player will leave the field while play continues. Only then will the television match official review the incident, making a call on whether it should be upgraded to a red card offence. It should mark the end of endless replays while teams take water breaks and casual fans switch streaming platforms.
