Rugby: Waratahs, Chiefs at point of no return

By CHRIS RATTUE

Their history is remarkably similar. Their plight is just about the same.

History is repeating itself for the Chiefs and Waratahs. They are already having to hit the soul-searching button with the Super 12 barely halfway through.

The advice for the two sides, who meet at Rugby Park in Hamilton tomorrow, has also been remarkably similar this week.

Former Chief and now commentator Matthew Cooper urged his old side to concentrate on the basics.

Cooper believes the history of failure which is building around the franchise means players are not concentrating on one play at a time. That in turn means they are struggling to enjoy the game, although he said spirit in the Chiefs camp had been superb.

New South Wales legend Mark Ella, writing for the Sydney Morning Herald, said much the same to the Waratahs.

"When I was playing badly I always went back to the basics - catch, pass and support.

"If I did those three simple basic skills right, without any fanfare, then my game would start to take shape once again.

"Isn't it about time the Waratahs did the same and 'kept it simple, stupid,'" Ella said.

The question is, of course, does each side have the personnel to carry out not only the basics but go a step further in a competition in which some franchises appear to know exactly what they are doing on and off the field, while many others - particularly the South Africans - often appear out of their depth?

Dragging the chain in New Zealand and Australia are tomorrow's combatants in Hamilton.

Their records this year are matching - the Chiefs have one victory from five, the Waratahs two wins from six.

The Waratahs have three matches at home - against the Brumbies, Hurricanes and Highlanders - plus a visit to Christchurch for a clash with the Crusaders.

The Chiefs travel to face the tough Highlanders, host the high-flying Brumbies, then are off to South Africa to play the Sharks and Cats.

The word out of the Chiefs camp this week is that it has been difficult to lift the spirits, and it must be gnawing at coach Ross Cooper's and the players' minds that three of their defeats were very close and could easily have been victories but for the odd mistake or bad decision.

After three straight defeats, the Waratahs' spirits will hardly be soaring. They say in sport that a change in attitude is only one victory away, but both franchises will be searching for more than quick-fix solutions.

It must be more than bad luck when the bounce of the ball never seems to go your way.