Beale to Tahs, where?

[Hawko]

The Tahs just need a backup hooker, loosehead and lock to have an excellent 23. Incredible backrow depth.

Until the injuries start coming you are absolutely right. There is depth right across the line except for hooker. I think Latu will get a spot but who gets the other is more problematic as Latu is a rookie but I don't want Holmes despite his experience. Maybe we will have to go with two rookies in Latu and Roach (if the Force haven't already bagged Roach).

Chapman is a capable back-up at lock but not a starter. Cheika said when they announced the signing of Potgeiter that they were looking for a hard grafting lock who could knock people over and move bodies. This implied Potgeiter would play alongside Douglas or Skelton. I was pretty surprised at that but Potgeiter at lock would suit the very fast mobile game Cheika wants.

That leaves Grey and McCutcheon as backrow back-up and that's still very strong. McCutcheon next year injury free would be a pretty exciting prospect. I think I recall him getting MOM a couple of years ago in the Shute grand final, before his injury run started.

I think McKibbin is still in front of Lucas, certainly to my eyes he is. And if Turner makes it back there is plenty of injury back-up for the outside backs.

One more big signing at hooker and I will be satisfied.

 

[fatprop]

I expect to see Dennis used as back up lock, with he and Potiger sharing 6.

I understand Chapman is not around next season

 

[Vanuatu Chiefs]

Now that Folau has re-signed with the Tahs, does anyone think that Cheika will mess around with Folau at 15 and Foley at 10 where in IMO both are likely to improve further in 2014?

Having said that I accept that Folau & Foley can both play other positions but is that really in the best interests of the team?

Assuming that Folau stays at 15 and Foley at 10, Beale can obviously come off the pine to cove both positions. However, you'd think that with Folau and Foley both in the starting team (absent injury) Cheika will also want to see Beale in the run on side, most weeks.

If Beale starts together with Folau & Foley, will we see Beale playing 12?

EDIT: I now see that when Froggy started this thread he floated the same notion.

 

[Groucho]

I'm one of Kurtley's biggest fans, but I have no issues with him being used as a super sub for impact in the final third of games.

I don't see this as a demotion at all, but as an intelligent use of his capabilities, especially within a side dedicated to playing a fast-paced running game, in which both teams are likely to have tired legs after fifty minutes of frenetic play. Beale could step into any position at that time and cause problems for any defence.

He could perform in the same 'specialist' role for the Wallabies.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

I'm one of Kurtley's biggest fans, but I have no issues with him being used as a super sub for impact in the final third of games.

I don't see this as a demotion at all, but as an intelligent use of his capabilities, especially within a side dedicated to playing a fast-paced running game, in which both teams are likely to have tired legs after fifty minutes of frenetic play. Beale could step into any position at that time and cause problems for any defence.

He could perform in the same 'specialist' role for the Wallabies.

I know this could sound a bit presumptuous but it would be terrifying prospect for opposition teams next year. The Tahs will be starting the season playing a high paced, highly skilled game plan, one that many struggled to maintain this season even when they beat them. The only positive was the comfort knowing that there would be a time when the pace the Tahs play at would catch up to them and they back of a bit. Now all of a sudden they have the ability to bring on subs that can instantly elevate the pace of the game again. Tough to defend against.

 

[fatprop]

I doubt that it will be an issue, someone will get injured

 

[Hawko]

Now that Folau has re-signed with the Tahs, does anyone think that Cheika will mess around with Folau at 15 and Foley at 10 where in IMO both are likely to improve further in 2014?

Having said that I accept that Folau & Foley can both play other positions but is that really in the best interests of the team?

Assuming that Folau stays at 15 and Foley at 10, Beale can obviously come off the pine to cove both positions. However, you'd think that with Folau and Foley both in the starting team (absent injury) Cheika will also want to see Beale in the run on side, most weeks.

If Beale starts together with Folau & Foley, will we see Beale playing 12?

EDIT: I now see that when Froggy started this thread he floated the same notion.

Right now its seven Wallaby squad players for six positions. I'm betting that at least one player will be injured each week. If not then Betham in my opinion is the one to ride the pine. There's a million ways to cut the cake but maybe the position Beale started his international career in would be the ideal, ie wing. It might sound daft but he is fast, a good tackler (especially from the side) and can operate as a second fullback on kick return. When we are attacking down the open side Folau, Beale and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) would be lethal. When the attack is coming down the other side Beale runs lines inside the flyhalf or he and Foley can play looping games with Horne as the straight man.

However Cheika cuts the cake, I'm still salivating. We have not had that good a trio since Gary, Glen and Mark Ella cut defences to shreds in the 70's

 

[Lindommer]

I understand Chapman is not around next season.

Where's he gone? A shame, he's the sort of quality player every Super Rugby squad needs to build depth.

 

[Lindommer]

Kurtley should start at five-eight. I don't understand why Foley renegued on his Rebels commitment, or why some five-star general at the ARU didn't engineer a move to Melbourne for Foley as they desperately need 10s and 12s.

Next year's depth at the Tahs could be the making of them. Apart from hooker, that is.

 

[Pfitzy]

If this forward pack is so lightweight how come there is no place to fit Potgieter?

Off the bench the first couple of rounds to smash the fuck out of it late in the game. Then reassess the balance. He might go to 8 once cliffy breaks down...

 

[ACT Crusader]

I wouldn't put Beale on the wing now. He has developed into a decent playmaking type player that wants the ball in his hands more often than not. Ideally it's 10 or 15 where his skills can be exploited, but with Foley staying I wouldn't mind seeing Beale at 12 where he could be used as a 2nd play maker where Folau could play a more counter attack game.

I think this year the Tahs ran into a bit of trouble when Foley took on the line there wasn't that 2nd genuine playmaker and Tahs (ie Horne) resorted to bash ball. Need to keep their shape

 

[fatprop]

Kurtley should start at five-eight. I don't understand why Foley renegued on his Rebels commitment, or why some five-star general at the ARU didn't engineer a move to Melbourne for Foley as they desperately need 10s and 12s.

Next year's depth at the Tahs could be the making of them. Apart from hooker, that is.

I actually think Foley is now a better 10 than Beale, more direct and accurate in the style of Cruden.

Beale is better floating in from 15 as a second playmaker and broken field runner.

I also really like the kick receipt threat of Folau, Beale & Crawford. Each can run, kick and catch. If they can create a decent combination, they could be as deadly as any back three in the comp.

 

[Garryowen]

Bit of quandary, since I think Foley is a better 10 and Izzy a better 15.

KB (Kurtley Beale) is great at second receiver. Why not move him back to 12?

 

[Fowi]

Has he ever really played 12? Would be an interesting option to have there. I'm sure either Foley or Beale will be trialed there in pre-season. It will be fascinating to see how Cheika tries to integrate them all into the same team.

 

[Zander]

2009 he played there, did ok.

 

[Athilnaur]

I see Kurtley as a fullback, and when in form absolute world class. He can play 10 but has more impact when he can roam and loop. He and O'Connor tied the Chiefs up in knots on attack this year.

I also feel he needs lots of game time, preferably in one spot, to blow out the weeds and refind that form.

I'd leave Foley at ten, Folau on wing, Kurtley at FB, with an open mind to Kurtley covering at ten if Foley injured.

The problem is not just the Tah's, McKenzie will face it too. Let's just hope for Aussie rugby's sake that Cheika's decisions align with McKenzie's.

 

[mjw]

I reckon the position Beale plays will depend on how well he adapts to Cheika's game plan. Simple really. It's all about how he disciplines himself to satisfy the coach.

 

[Lee Grant]

I know this could sound a bit presumptuous but it would be terrifying prospect for opposition teams next year.

The Tahs will still be vulnerable to naïve play and I wouldn't want Kurtley or anybody else to play in the bonehead way they did in Christchurch near the end of the season.

I wouldn't be too worried about the Tahs having the right players to play attacking rugby and am not that interested in talking about which players are better for that.

Whoever they are, they have enough of them.

I'd be more interested in who is going to help the Tahs exit their 22 with a booming boot. If they keep trying to run the ball out of their own 22 like headless chooks they will do no better next year than they did, this.

Hardly anybody criticises Cheika for getting his players to play like they did in the second half in Christchurch, and too often in other games, but I have my hand up.

I am glad that in 2013 the pendulum swung from the boring kicking game the Tahs had been using in recent years—and you'd think that it would have been better since they practised it so much—but there has to be a balance.

Get the balance right please Michael Cheika.
.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

The Tahs will still be vulnerable to naïve play and I wouldn't want Kurtley or anybody else to play in the bonehead way they did in Christchurch near the end of the season.

I wouldn't be too worried about the Tahs having the right players to play attacking rugby and am not that interested in talking about which players are better for that.

Whoever they are, they have enough of them.

I'd be more interested in who is going to help the Tahs exit their 22 with a booming boot. If they keep trying to run the ball out of their own 22 like headless chooks they will do no better next year than they did, this.

Hardly anybody criticises Cheika for getting his players to play like they did in the second half in Christchurch, and too often in other games, but I have my hand up.

I am glad that in 2013 the pendulum swung from the boring kicking game the Tahs had been using in recent years—and you'd think that it would have been better since they practised it so much—but there has to be a balance.

Get the balance right please Michael Cheika.
.

I think 2013 was all about installing an attacking mindset. Effectively reprogramming the squad after a few years of rather poor performances. Next year should be about installing some more tactical kicking into the game plan.

 

[Athilnaur]

Tactical kicking reminds me of the military term tactical withdrawal. It is so often used when you are being routed!