ONE ARM, TWO HEARTS – WAUGH TO PLAY

The warhorse backrower produced one of the gutsiest performances, by even his own lofty standards, as he got through 60 minutes of Friday night’s loss to the Crusaders in Nelson despite the injury.

That was an amazing effort from the NSW stalwart after it was originally feared the injury would need surgery and leave him sidelined for the next three months.

Even the New Zealand commentators described Waugh’s game as a great effort as he left the field after making his presence felt for an hour.

“Everyone knows him as a pretty tough guy and he has played injured a lot over the last couple of years,” said Waratahs assistant coach Scott Bowen.

Waugh’s declaration that he will keep playing is a big boost for the Waratahs after hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and centre Rob Horne suffered potentially serious injuries during Friday’s loss.

Polota-Nau injured his knee and Horne hurt the same elbow which he damaged last season and which kept him sidelined for an extended period.

The Waratahs are awaiting the result of scans on the pair today.

The side would be badly knocked about if the three stars were all sidelined at the same time.

“It felt really good until just after half-time and it started to bleed a little bit and get a bit sore but that was probably playing six days after I injured myself,” Waugh said last night. “But I’ve pulled up OK and today it feels good.

“The plan is to keep playing and I’ll just get ready to go again.

“It’s all a matter of keeping it compressed and getting the swelling down. It should be right. The sooner that happens the better l’ll be.”

The Waratahs have a good chance to regroup with the side enjoying the bye this weekend.

“It’s come at a really good time, a lot has gone into those first three weeks,” he said.

Waugh said while last Friday’s loss was disappointing, the Waratahs had their chances early on.

“To come out of that first three weeks with 10 points isn’t all doom and gloom but obviously we could have done better,” he said.

The departure of Polota-Nau proved a turning point in the game.

And Waugh said the loss of the inspirational forward so early against the Crusaders had a big impact on the NSW team – especially the scrum which suffered after he went off.

“I’ve said it before how much Tatafu actually leads the team without actually saying anything,” Waugh said.

“He is a world class player and we want him out there sooner rather than later.

Waugh is confident that if Polota-Nau was sidelined then the Waratahs scrum can regroup.

The Waratahs next game is against the Cheetahs from South Africa at the SFS on Saturday week.