Big Vote Of Confidence In Back Line

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday May 21, 2005

Ben Kimber

Assistant coach Brian Melrose has defended the Waratahs' back line as they head into their do-or-die semi-final clash with the Bulls tonight, saying he believes minor adjustments will enable them to improve significantly and fire out wide.

Centre Morgan Turinui said earlier this week that he and his fellow backs had not been making the most of their possession and "have got a bit to pay back to the forward pack", a claim Melrose sought to qualify.

"I don't know if it's so much letting them down," Melrose said. "If you look statistically, probably more than any other team in the competition, our outside-centre and back three score a massive percentage of our tries.

"So I wouldn't say they've let [the forwards] down, but maybe our passing at times has let us down, and that's something I'd like to improve."

Melrose's claim is borne out by the fact that wingers Peter Hewat and Lote Tuqiri, along with Turinui, are among this year's most prolific tryscorers in the Super 12.

Yet Turinui's comments back up both recent suggestions by Tuqiri that he is frustrated by the lack of ball, and a recurring perception that NSW's back line should be achieving more, and utilising its back three to greater effect.

According to Melrose, the NSW back line creates opportunities but has been too "flippant" at times and not ruthless enough in its execution.

If NSW can manage to convert more of the opportunities that they do create, then it will stand them in good stead not just to take on the Bulls, but also against the Crusaders or Hurricanes if they win through to the final.

The one certainty for NSW this year is their defence - they have conceded only 19 tries. This compares favourably with the other teams that won through to the finals: the Bulls (26 tries conceded), Hurricanes (28) and Crusaders (35).

"Whatever comes in this game, we'll have to back our defence to hold tight, and when we've got the ball then we'll have to back our skill to hold on to it a little better than we have occasionally when we've been a bit flippant," Melrose said.

Melrose's philosophy has long been to allow his backs the freedom to express themselves in open play, a move which, theoretically, goes on to create an unpredictable attack.

The former Manly Marlins coach has placed his faith in his players to use their skills, so rather than paying back the forwards it might be time for the NSW backs to repay their coach's belief in their exceptional abilities. AAP reports that former Wallabies flyer Ben Tune has ended a two-month tug of war by re-signing with the Queensland Reds for another two seasons. Tune was courted heavily by new Super 14 franchise Western Force and admitted that at one stage he was set to head to Perth next year.

But a return to Queensland's starting team at outside-centre, the birth of his second child and a desire to help lift the battling Reds out of the doldrums have convinced him to stay.

The 28-year-old said he was keen to play beyond his new contract - which will take him through to the 2007 World Cup - and was determined to break back into Test rugby at No.13. "I have every intention of playing beyond two years, as physically I feel better than any time in the last five years," he said.

© 2005 Sydney Morning Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home