Let’s get physical: Waratahs fire back at Rebels over ‘tough’ claims

He avoided the contents of Eddie Jones’ draft Wallabies list but Waratahs captain Jake Gordon – and seemingly the whole NSW dressing room – have definitely caught up on other AAMI Park news this week, in the form of some spicy pre-match predictions from Rebels veteran Richard Hardwick.

In a rare display of old-fashioned banter ahead of the Rebels’ hosting NSW in Melbourne on Friday night, Hardwick revealed how Melbourne’s style of frustrating rivals would be “tough” for the Waratahs and knock them off their game.

“Just little things like that, slow their momentum down, just irritate teams,” Hardwick said.

“Especially the Waratahs, they love playing on top of you and ... keeping momentum up. We try our best and I think our style of rugby is tough for them.”

The comments raised eyebrows at Waratahs headquarters.

“I have seen the few points in the media but it’s interesting their whole game plan is around putting us off our game, whereas ours is just focussing on doing what we do and playing good footy, and having full belief that will get the result,” Waratahs lock Jed Holloway said.

“Dicky Hardwick is playing some unbelievable footy at the breakdown, and those two tries he scored at the back of the scrum [against the Hurricanes last week], he’s a weapon there. So we have to be aware of him, but we are solely focussed on improving our game because we are far from where we need to be.”

Referencing the Waratahs’ first two games, where the Brumbies and the Drua also sought to stifle NSW with physicality at the tackle, Gordon said: “They [the Rebels] are much like the Brumbies and the Drua at the breakdown.

“They have Richie Hardwick, who has been really strong on ball of late, and he’s obviously made a few comments about how hard he is going to go at the breakdown and get in our face. We are expecting that, but we need to nullify it and get good ball from our forwards and unleash our backs.”

After trailing 24-7, the Rebels were impressive in the second half against the Hurricanes, with physicality on both sides of the ball. They didn’t get the win but it was a timely reminder the Rebels are a tough foe at home.

Though Hardwick’s style guide leaves out the Rebels’ attacking threats, steered by the impressive Carter Gordon, his roadmap to beating the Waratahs isn’t far off. That was seen by the Brumbies’ gameplan in round one, when NSW were denied go-forward and quick ball. Likewise, patience and the impact of Langi Gleeson were needed by the Waratahs to emerge as winners over the combative Drua last week.

“We have had some great learnings in the first two rounds. We have make sure we don’t let those teams with high breakdown presence, or teams who are a bit looser and physical, upset our game,” Holloway said.

Gordon said: “We are definitely prepping for a really big game at the breakdown. It has been a real big focus point for us over the last two weeks. Like you saw in the second half against the Drua, when we get quick ball we are a dangerous outfit.”

In the wake of Holloway announcing on Thursday he had re-signed to stay at NSW until the end of 2025, a bruising local derby in Melbourne will suit him down to the ground. Holloway said Jones had made it clear his No.1 selection criteria for Wallabies forwards was unadulterated “physicality”.

Holloway laughed about Jones’ draft team lists, which were snapped covertly as he sat in the AAMI Park stands watching Super Round on Sunday, and have caused ripples in the Australian player ranks.

“I was in the B team ... I have to work harder,” Holloway said.

Gordon said he had avoided reading the list. His name wasn’t visible but the NSW No.9 has been one of three halfbacks used, along with Nic White and Tate McDermott, in recent years.

“I heard about the list, I was too scared to look at it,” Gordon said.

“I am not sure what he is up to there. Obviously it has been spoken about a bit around the group. He’s a pretty cluey guy. I don’t want to comment too much on it, but I don’t want to see the team either. I just have to perform well.”

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