Tahs Refuse To Be High And Dry Again

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday April 30, 2005

Ben Kimber

The Waratahs' season continues to be one in which bridges are built over the pitfalls of previous years, but despite last year's match against the Highlanders being the team's nadir, coach Ewen McKenzie is adamant he will not consider a win today particularly cathartic.

Last year, the Waratahs succumbed to the Highlanders with their season on the line, despite leading 28-7 with less than 30 minutes to go and enjoying an extra man after Highlanders second-rower Filipo Levi had been ejected for fighting.

Despite the odds the Otago side overcame in defeating NSW - in the process exposing a mental fragility in the Waratahs - McKenzie is certain no scars remain.

"I don't know if there's any demons to bury from last year [in facing the Highlanders]," he said yesterday. "We see that [loss] as a one-off game. You saw Auckland come back against the Stormers last week, it does happen in sport. At the time it was disappointing but it's not something that [has] regularly persisted, and our record against Otago is pretty good. We haven't focused on history at all."

After overhauling his squad and building up a team spirit, McKenzie is happy with the Waratahs' attitude this season.

ACT's injury woes have worsened with five-eighth Matt Giteau (back) in doubt for today's match with the Hurricanes.

* At Ballymore last night, Chris Latham celebrated his 100th game for the Reds by leading them to a 21-15 victory over the Cats. But the Reds' Elton Flatley played only 33 minutes before being replaced due to a head knock and ankle injury and Ben Tune (shoulder) is in doubt for next week's game against NSW. In Christchurch, the Crusaders all but assured themselves of a semi-final spot when they beat the Sharks 77-34.

© 2005 Sydney Morning Herald

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