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'The boys need a bit of love': Rob Penney calls for support following Waratahs' humiliating loss

Rob Penney. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

NSW Waratahs coach Rob Penney says his side needs “a bit of love” after record losses in consecutive weeks have left them shattered and him answering questions about his future.

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The Brumbies scored nine tries in a 61-10 flogging in Canberra on Saturday, while the Queensland Reds also notched their biggest Super Rugby win against the Waratahs in a 41-7 triumph last week to open the domestic season.

The 2014 Super Rugby champions are without more than 1500 caps thanks to mass departures over the last two seasons and will be missing injured captain Jake Gordon for at least the next month.

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Ardie Savea and Jason Holland of the Hurricanes and Leon Macdonald of the Blues speak to media after their round one match of Super Rugby Aotearoa.

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    Ardie Savea and Jason Holland of the Hurricanes and Leon Macdonald of the Blues speak to media after their round one match of Super Rugby Aotearoa.

    Former Munster coach Penney managed just four wins last season and two of those came against the Western Force, who failed to notch a single victory in their hastily arranged return to top-level Australian rugby.

    They will meet the Force, who have recruited impressively since they last went head to head, in Parramatta next weekend and Penney admits morale is low.

    “It’s hard to (sum it up); there’s not enough words to express the disappointment and I’ve got a shattered group,” he told Channel Nine.

    “(Is it a) challenge? Sure, but it’s not about me, it’s about the young men we’re trying to push through and we got a really good shellacking.

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    “They’re proud young men and they’re really hurting, they’re broken.”

    Penney said outside observers could demand tough punishment but he did not think that was the solution to the Waratahs’ problems.

    “You could say we need to be harder on them but the boys need a bit of love and we need to get back on the horse and prepare for next week,” he said.

    “This is a new experience for me to have a side performing like it is, but I’m more concerned about the welfare of the young boys and the staff.

    “If other people determine I’m not the right person for (the job) that’ll take care of itself … I’m more than happy to go gracefully (if that’s what is determined).”

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    – Murray Wenzel

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    S
    Soliloquin 21 minutes ago
    Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

    For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or Jégou behind.

    His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

    But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

    And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


    I don’t agree with ‘only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and Galthié likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

    For Depoortère, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

    But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


    As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

    Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


    And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

    So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

    France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

    233 Go to comments
    S
    Soliloquin 38 minutes ago
    Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

    Hastoy was a good prospect before the 2023 RWC, he was the fly-half who led La Rochelle to the victory in the Champions Cup final in Dublin against Leinster.

    But he made it to the squad only because Ntamack got his ACL.

    He played against Uruguay, which a terribly poor game by the French side, and since then he declined a bit, alongside his club.

    Under the pressure of Reus and West at 10, he regained some credit at the end of the season (among all a drop at the 81st minute of a game).

    He’s quite good everywhere, but not outstanding.

    He doesn’t have the nerves, the defense and the tactical brain of Ntamack, the leadership and the creativity of Ramos or the exceptional attacking skills of Jalibert.


    I really hope that:

    -Ntamack will get his knee back. The surgery went well. He wasn’t the most elusive player in the world, but he was capable of amazing rushes like the one against NZ in 2021 or the Brennus-winning try in 2023.

    -Jalibert will continue to improve his defense. He started working hard since March (after his defensive disaster against England) with a XIII specialist, and I’ve seen great moments, especially against Ntamack in the SF of the Champions Cup. It’s never too late. And it would be a great signal for Galthié.

    -Hastoy will build up his partnership with Le Garrec, that La Rochelle will start a new phase with them and Niniashvili, Alldritt, Atonio, Boudehent, Jegou, Bosmorin, Bourgarit, Nowell, Wardi, Daunivucu, Kaddouri, Pacôme…

    233 Go to comments
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