My qualifications to make trenchant criticism of the Waratahs coaching last Friday evening against the Hurricanes?

I thought you’d never ask. I actually have a significant coaching triumph on my record. A couple of decades ago, when one of my fine sons was turning out for the Under-13Es, they were not only down 30-0 at half-time, but at that point had been lucky to get to nil.

Max Jorgensen gets one back for the Waratahs against the Hurricanes.Credit: Getty Images

“Could I just have a word with the team?” I asked the 19-year-old Phys Ed lad who was coaching them.

“I guess ...?” he said, uncertainly.

“Bring it in tight, youse blokes. There are just two of you making an impact. This bloke with red hair, and this bloke with black hair. For this half, listen to ME, and me alone. Not your fathers, not your mums, not your coach. ME! If I shout out “Red!” give it to the bloke with red hair. If I shout out “Black!” give it to the bloke with black hair. Everyone got it? Good. Go hard. No mercy!”

“Red” bloke and “black” bloke proceeded to wreak havoc, and in the end my son’s team went down 30-29.

The Waratahs lost 59-19 to the Hurricanes last weekend.Credit: Getty Images

Which brings me, friends, to that debacle of a Tahs match.

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