A visit from wheelchair-bound former Wallaby Richard Tombs will inspire the Waratahs ahead of Friday night’s game against the Queensland Reds, where they’ll have the chance to put their dismal 2021 behind them once and for all.
Prior to last weekend’s 40-10 win over Fiji Drua, one of Super Rugby’s two new teams, the Waratahs had not tasted victory since their last game of 2020 – some 538 days prior.
The 2021 season was nothing short of horrific for the Tahs, but Tombs’ visit to training on Thursday put the side’s struggles into perspective.
In 2018, life as Tombs knew it changed completely. While playing in a suburban soccer competition, a freak collision left him with a debilitating spinal injury that forced him into a wheelchair at the age of just 50.
“He’s had some challenges that we definitely haven’t faced. It was inspirational to hear him speak,” said skipper Jake Gordon.
Waratahs coach Darren Coleman said the visit had made an impression on him and likely left his players with plenty to think about.
“You’ve only got to look at him and it’s confronting and it makes football players appreciate that any day, things can change quick,” said Coleman.
“It was awesome for our group to hear from Richard, who faces a struggle every day of his life.
“He’s had his own struggles and hurdles in his life of late, with his accident.
“He’s a great man, great Wallaby, particularly great Waratah.”
The Waratahs players might not be able to relate personally to the struggles Tombs faces but there are plenty of sixjmtzywmilarities between the current crop and Tombs’ Tahs team of the early 1990s.
Like last year’s side, the 1990 Waratahs failed to win a single game.
But with Tombs playing in the centres, the side dusted itself off and became a dominant force the season afterwards.
“He was here in 1990, when the Waratahs never won a game, and then in ‘91, they won the league,” Coleman said.
“So there wasn’t just the aspect of his struggles and his adversity through his injury, he spoke a lot about how they turned that season around, what he learned as a younger player, compared to what he knew as an older player.
“We’ll touch on a couple of things Richard said in the pre-game (against the Reds).”
Like Tombs’ side did in 1991, the current Waratahs feel as if they are turning things around.
But Gordon said his troops wouldn’t be getting carried away ahead of Friday’s match against the reigning Aussie champions.
“I think the boys are pretty realistic,” Gordon said.
“I’m expecting the Fijians will get better game-to-game, but it was their first game in Super Rugby. We’re thrilled with the win after the year we had, but realistically there are going to be tougher games.
“We think we’re trending in the right direction but tomorrow will probably give us some honest feedback.”
The Tahs managed to dispatch of the Reds in a pre-season trial game and Gordon said the side was keen for the regular season rematch with its interstate rival.
“This weekend looks like it’s going to be a really tough game in challenging conditions,” he said.
“Wallabies positions are up for grabs, so we’ll definitely be feeling that.”
