Round 1 - Waratahs vs Hurricanes @ Brookvale - Saturday 16 February 2019

[Braveheart81]

So the biggest question for the Tahs is whether the front row reserves will be able to hold their own.

I expect a lineup like:

Johnson-Holmes
Latu
Kepu
Simmons
Holloway
Hanigan
Hooper (c)
Dempsey
Phipps
Foley
Newsome
Beale
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
Rona
Folau

Fitzpatrick (or Sauni if he's still injured), Talakai, Walker?, Staniforth, Miller, Gordon, Mason, Hunt

 

[TheNude]

Questions for me are:

1. How match ready are the Wallabies? How do they line up in the backs.
2. Has Gibson forgiven Latu?
3. Who's the first choice 9

I'm looking forward to the game (if only to get Brookvale over and done with for the season)

 

[Froggy]

Phipps unavailable, so Gordon will start with Short on the bench. Staniforth also injured, so possibly Roets on the bench.
I think the rest will be right BH, although personally I would have Hunt starting at 12, Beale at 15 and Folau on the wing with Newsome to the bench.

 

[Derpus]

Hard to look past the Canes for this one. If Gibson is serious about improving our defence then i'd definitely be looking to start Hunt at 12.

Latu also has to be starting this year, because he's the best Hooker in Aus when hes not busy getting himself sent off.

 

[fatprop]

Hard to look past the Canes for this one. If Gibson is serious about improving our defence then i'd definitely be looking to start Hunt at 12.

Latu also has to be starting this year, because he's the best Hooker in Aus when hes not busy getting himself sent off.

Latu hopefully is doing many extras on his throwing

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

No homecoming for Sam Lousi, out for an as yet unknown time with a pec injury:

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/s...k-sam-lousi-out-longterm-with-pectoral-injury

Beaugan will be rested (& may well still be on his honeymoon) but other than that most of their AB should get at least a run.

 

[Dan54]

Geez ,I hope the Canes can win enough ball with their shortage of locks!!

 

[Up the Guts]

Hope Hunt is at 12 or Laumape will run riot. Trying to hide Beale on the wing might not work too well either if BLam sees a lot of ball.

Edit: seems I’m out of the loop and Beale is starting off the bench, nice to at least have some depth in the backline.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ damn, I was looking forward to Laumape targeting the 10/12 channel & Lam going one-on-one with your 15.....

 

[Derpus]

Hope Hunt is at 12 or Laumape will run riot. Trying to hide Beale on the wing might not work too well either if BLam sees a lot of ball.

Edit: seems I’m out of the loop and Beale is starting off the bench, nice to at least have some depth in the backline.

Where it say this?

 

[Up the Guts]

Where it say this?

http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2019/02/12/super-rugby-waratahs-hurricanes-hunt-beale

Also posted by Blackadder in the Tahs thread.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Hope Hunt is at 12 or Laumape will run riot. Trying to hide Beale on the wing might not work too well either if BLam sees a lot of ball.

Edit: seems I’m out of the loop and Beale is starting off the bench, nice to at least have some depth in the backline.

Lausi Taliauli went straight over the top of Hunt to score in the trial. I don't see Laumape being easily stopped no matter who plays 12 for the Tahs.

 

[Bandar]

Lausi Taliauli went straight over the top of Hunt to score in the trial. I don't see Laumape being easily stopped no matter who plays 12 for the Tahs.

I know - Hunt's defense has really dropped off since he started wearing sky blue.

 

[fatprop]

Lausi Taliauli went straight over the top of Hunt to score in the trial. I don't see Laumape being easily stopped no matter who plays 12 for the Tahs.

And? Hunt is still the best option and a great, angry defender

 

[RugbyReg]

I know - Hunt's defense has really dropped off since he started wearing sky blue.

it was 68% during the NRC.

 

[Dan54]

Damn!! I getting excited, Rugby is starting again!! I know ,I know it's super rugby, and there are a shit load on here are very much anti super rugby, but bugger you all ,I love it and bring it on!!

 

[Derpus]

Damn!! I getting excited, Rugby is starting again!! I know ,I know it's super rugby, and there are a shit load on here are very much anti super rugby, but bugger you all ,I love it and bring it on!!

Far more enjoyable than watching the Wallabies lose week in, week out. I can't wait either.

 

[dru]

Damn!! I getting excited, Rugby is starting again!! I know ,I know it's super rugby, and there are a shit load on here are very much anti super rugby, but bugger you all ,I love it and bring it on!!

We can be excited and still think Super is the shit-stick for Aus rugby. Very much looking forward to the rugby starting.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I know - Hunt's defense has really dropped off since he started wearing sky blue.

And? Hunt is still the best option and a great, angry defender

My issues with Hunt as a defender go back to his Reds/Wallabies days. I have seen him make some very embarrassing misses in the past.

Nevertheless, as FP says, he is probably still the best option for the Tahs. Certainly a big step up on Beale.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Is Hunt Wallabies material...don't know but is he Super Rugby material...for sure...and anybody disagreeing with latter got rocks in their head imho.

Very happy to have hunt and his utility value is unquestioned but would equally be happy if he plays well enough to be always first choice for a starting position............win win regardless

I don't think any side would be unhappy having Hunt on their roster on player ability....personal matters and past issues aside....