Palmer Gooone - Douglas Stays

[Langthorne]

I am not suggesting that the Brumbies don't have a history of good props - but their current front row is not better than the Waratahs front row, nor more experienced or successful (nor is their scrum coach).

The Waratahs have had a few decent props over he years too, although I'm not so sure that is really relevant.

 

[mark_s]

Back onto the douglas brothers, in the words of Yoda - there is another. The third douglas brother has joined the sharks junior league set up. Also the oldest brother is just about to play his 100th consecutive NRL game which is very impressive for a young forward.

 

[Spook]

I am not suggesting that the Brumbies don't have a history of good props - but their current front row is not better than the Waratahs front row

Of course it is. It features 2 starting test players. The Tahs features one at the moment.

 

[Hawko]

We shall see when they meet at the Olympic stadium this year. That scrum battle will prove a thing or two - Alexander vs Baxter, Holmes vs TPN, Robinson vs Maafu. Both packs will be up for it. I'm drooling already but expecting that the Brumbies will get dusted.

It may not affect the outcome of the match, but it will be THE game within the game.

 

[fatprop]

We shall see when they meet at the Olympic stadium this year. That scrum battle will prove a thing or two - Alexander vs Baxter, Holmes vs TPN, Robinson vs Maafu. Both packs will be up for it. I'm drooling already but expecting that the Brumbies will get dusted.

It may not affect the outcome of the match, but it will be THE game within the game.

Alexander & Baxter will be steady whilst on the other side Robinson vs Maafu will be the problem for the Brumbies, depending on who is the ref; Robinson has started dropping his bind on contact again (he drops his hand to the ground, balances and as he moves to rebind he drives through the THP's sternum)

 

[Scotty]

If the Brumbies have managed to steal either Holmes from the Tahs or the one at the Reds, then they are going to struggle if they try and play him at hooker vs the Tahs.

 

[Hawko]

Sorry, Holmes should read Moore, Stephen Moore. Senior moment, I passed 60 last month.

 

[topo]

Getting back to Palmer. He is certainly a good scrummager, but doesn't offer a whole lot around the park. That may improve. With the tahs he was no 4 prop as Kepu was on the bench most weeks. The only reason he got game time last year was because Dunning, Kepu and Baxter were all injured at the same time. He wouldn't consider the Rebels because they don't have a scrum coach yet. A prop will go where the good scrum coaches are. The Rebels forward coach is a back rower. The likelihood that Laurie Weeks is going there would have also counted against them. At the Brumbies he would certainly rank ahead of Shep and will push Ma'afu. He will at least sit on the bench. And he's got Bill Young as scrum coach down there. I'm a tahs supporter but I think it is a good move for Palmer and will give him more game time. It will leave the tahs a bit short next year, though. They will still have Baxter, Robinson and Kepu. But if injury hits, Tilse is next in line. In the pro academy they have Paddy Ryan who I hear is talking to Melbourne and Ofa. Wouldn't take much for them to go from boom to bust.

 

[Langthorne]

Wouldn't take much for them to go from boom to bust.

Yeah, it is not like you can shuffle forwards around the way you can the backs - especially not in the front row.


It looks like a few people think it is a good move for Palmer. Either because the Brumbies front row and coaching is stronger than the Tahs, so he will improve OR because the Brumbies front row is not in fact stronger than the Waratahs', so he will get more game time.

Either way, he is gone now. I think it is a big loss for the Tahs and a big gain for the Brumbies. Good luck to him.

 

[Pfitzy]

topo - Tilse, is never, EVER next in line, even in his preferred LHP spot. What we need is two good THPs and right now we're down to 1.

May I ask - where has Palmer dominated to such a degree that he is being touted so highly? I am not being condescending it is just I am from Queensland and have no info on the guy.

While enforcer put it in a most excellent fashion, let me give you a prop's version: excellent THPs come along so rarely, and even more so in this country, that he is worth more to rugby in this country than all the poncey backline metrosexuals we're currently overpaying to cock up our Wallaby backline.

I don't think, as a Tahs fan, and a prop to boot, I'm understating anything when I use the term "unmitigated fucking disaster from the donkey-raping shit-eaters at the NSWRU". This is a crime against recruitment policy. Which, as alluded to by cyclo, is just par for the course in this nek of the woods.

I am thrilled for the young bloke that he gets to show his wares on a more regular basis - and let's face it even old NTA (with two dodgy ankles and no pre-season training) could probably shove Shep's head up his arse these days, so he's likely to get minutes there.

I'm really wondering what the Brumbies, and Australian rugby, get out of it though. Depth at THP sure, and a chance to further develop the second-best prospect we've had in years (behind Fat Cat), but whither thou Ben Alexander? If he's our Wallaby THP then when is he going to get time there on a regular basis?



{edit for spelling - I'm edumacational too!}

 

[RugbyReg]

Friday, 6 June 2008
NSWRU Media Unit
After making his Super 14 debut in 2008, Southern Districts prop Dan Palmer has signed on for three years with the HSBC Waratahs.

A regular in junior representative teams, Palmer, 19, joined the HSBC Junior Waratahs this year and impressed with his early season form.

An opening through injury saw Palmer make his Super 14 debut from the bench in the Waratahs victory over the Highlanders in round three.

Palmer was also flown to South Africa to join the Waratahs squad ahead of their round 13 clash with the Stormers.

He is currently in Wales with the national Under 20s squad for the Junior World Championships and has today been named at tighthead prop in Australia's opening match of the tournament against Canada.

"Finding 19-year-old props who can handle Super 14 football is a rarity and we're sure that over the next three years Dan will develop into one of the premier props in Australian Rugby," said NSWRU Chief Executive Officer, Jim L'Estrange.

From Barrack Heights on the south coast of NSW, Palmer followed the traditional pathway through to senior representative football after being selected for Australian Schools A in 2005, Australian Schools in 2006 and then the national team for the 2007 IRB U19 World Championship.

His elevation to the Waratahs Super 14 squad strengthens the NSW front row stocks which currently boast Wallaby props Matt Dunning, Benn Robinson and Al Baxter.

still can't understand it. Did the Tahs release him?

 

[topo]

I think it was actually a 1+1 deal he had at the tahs and I think he's got the same at the Brumbies. At his request.

 

[Spook]

We shall see when they meet at the Olympic stadium this year. That scrum battle will prove a thing or two - Alexander vs Baxter, Holmes vs TPN, Robinson vs Maafu. Both packs will be up for it. I'm drooling already but expecting that the Brumbies will get dusted.

It may not affect the outcome of the match, but it will be THE game within the game.

Alexander & Baxter will be steady whilst on the other side Robinson vs Maafu will be the problem for the Brumbies, depending on who is the ref; Robinson has started dropping his bind on contact again (he drops his hand to the ground, balances and as he moves to rebind he drives through the THP's sternum)

FatCat could and probably will mince Ma'afu.

 

[en_force_er]

While enforcer put it in a most excellent fashion, let me give you a prop's version

I'm actually a Hooker who is a converted THP, who apparently may be forced to convert back this year.
Trust me... I have full respect for what Dan could potentially offer.

 

[Cutter]

topo - Tilse, is never, EVER next in line, even in his preferred LHP spot. What we need is two good THPs and right now we're down to 1.

May I ask - where has Palmer dominated to such a degree that he is being touted so highly? I am not being condescending it is just I am from Queensland and have no info on the guy.

While enforcer put it in a most excellent fashion, let me give you a prop's version: excellent THPs come along so rarely, and even more so in this country, that he is worth more to rugby in this country than all the poncey backline metrosexuals we're currently overpaying to cock up our Wallaby backline.

I don't think, as a Tahs fan, and a prop to boot, I'm understating anything when I use the term "unmitigated fucking disaster from the donkey-raping shit-eaters at the NSWRU". This is a crime against recruitment policy. Which, as alluded to by cyclo, is just par for the course in this nek of the woods.

I am thrilled for the young bloke that he gets to show his wares on a more regular basis - and let's face it even old NTA (with two dodgy ankles and no pre-season training) could probably shove Shep's head up his arse these days, so he's likely to get minutes there.

I'm really wondering what the Brumbies, and Australian rugby, get out of it though. Depth at THP sure, and a chance to further develop the second-best prospect we've had in years (behind Fat Cat), but wither thou Ben Alexander? If he's our Wallaby THP then when is he going to get time there on a regular basis?

Nick how long have you been playing front row?

 

[Pfitzy]

Years. One thing I never got to grips with was THP. I'm primarily a loosehead these days, though hooker was on the resume at one point. I play THP very occasionally and its just all different and weird.

 

[Spook]

I'm really wondering what the Brumbies, and Australian rugby, get out of it though. Depth at THP sure, and a chance to further develop the second-best prospect we've had in years (behind Fat Cat), but wither thou Ben Alexander? If he's our Wallaby THP then when is he going to get time there on a regular basis?

NTA, the problem has been that the Brumbies have only one decent LHP in Alexander. Now, Jerry Y comes onto the bench. I think Friend is hoping Jerry Y will make the number 1 jersey his own and then we'll see Alexander at 3. Alexander should end up at 3 in most games anyway with Jerry Y coming off the bench.

 

[Pfitzy]

NTA, the problem has been that the Brumbies have only one decent LHP in Alexander. Now, Jerry Y comes onto the bench. I think Friend is hoping Jerry Y will make the number 1 jersey his own and then we'll see Alexander at 3. Alexander should end up at 3 in most games anyway with Jerry Y coming off the bench.

Had temporarily forgotten Jerry in my red haze of anguish... But still, Palmer to the bench and then on at THP with Alexander shifting across. Its better than not playing at all I suppose.

 

[Spook]

NTA, the problem has been that the Brumbies have only one decent LHP in Alexander. Now, Jerry Y comes onto the bench. I think Friend is hoping Jerry Y will make the number 1 jersey his own and then we'll see Alexander at 3. Alexander should end up at 3 in most games anyway with Jerry Y coming off the bench.

Had temporarily forgotten Jerry in my red haze of anguish... But still, Palmer to the bench and then on at THP with Alexander shifting across. Its better than not playing at all I suppose.

If Palmer proves to be a gun at THP, Alexander will go back to 1. Palmer can play both sides can't he?

 

[Lindommer]

Had temporarily forgotten Jerry in my red haze of anguish... But still, Palmer to the bench and then on at THP with Alexander shifting across.

So what happens to Ma'afu and Shepherdson? Dingo thinks enough of Salesi to take him on an EoYT. We can't afford to waste talented props on this country, we haven't got that many.