This season, NSW probably had their weakest Super12 squad, and no-one, not even the most ardent Waratah supporter, believed two months ago they were any hope. That they became competition leaders was due to an early dream run. With their first three matches at the Sydney Football Stadium, NSW benefited from the impact of enthusiasm and youth and at times played well above themselves. Eventually reality had to hit, and the original concerns about the serious lack of depth and talent in the NSW squad began to resurface. The Waratahs suffered a mid-season slump, winning just one of their past five matches.
Depth is so crucial.
Compare that to the radical switcheroos NSW have to do any time their skipper Matthew Burke is unavailable. Names are changed all over the place. Some of the moves work. The lack of depth does not give coach Bob Dwyer any rope to play with. He cannot seriously threaten players with the sack, because the back-up is not there.