Round Six: Waratahs v Rebels Friday March 29, 7:35 pm SFS

[Dan54]

Don’t pick a 19 yr old that’s not ready. Sure develop him but not at top level. Not that hard to understand

Without being a smartass kiwi , you bang on pnut, look at someone like Harry Godfrey for Canes, looks to have all that you want, but just gets a run now and then etc. You have to bring these kids in carefully to get best out of them!

 

[Oldgoldminer]

Without being a smartass kiwi , you bang on pnut, look at someone like Harry Godfrey for Canes, looks to have all that you want, but just gets a run now and then etc. You have to bring these kids in carefully to get best out of them!

I’d say your post actually supports everything about the way that Barrett was used in his debut.
I just fail to see the negativity. He had a great 20 minute run against one of the most inform and experienced props.
The other Tahs props were demolished again last night and we have a big shortage of class front rowers outside of Bell.
Watch his performances grow from that taste last night. He will know what it takes and just how much bigger the step up in pace and quality is at that level.
As I said previously a number of former players were singing his praises. I’ll take their opinion every day.
Yes you blood them carefully, especially front rowers. But that young fella should be very proud of a stella debut in a game where his older more experienced teammates were smashed up front.

 

[Slim 293]

OK Mrs Barrett…

 

[Hawko]

I couldn't agree more about Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) (Nawaqanitawase). I wasn't sure he was even the same player.

Cannot agree about the young prop though. He well and truly had his pants pulled down. The NSW scrum only held together once in the first 29. On their own feed and only just long enough to get it to the back after feeding in under the locks feet. He was hooked early for a reason. I'm not panning him though. He gave it a real crack but it was a step up too soon for him. I'm sure he would have taken a lot of lessons from that and will come back stronger for it next time

And what of the other 4 props that were bashed and pushed around? Is that the future for the Tahs? Guys that were pushed all over the park? It was embarrassing. I didn’t see any of that in his first 20 minutes on debut.
You express your opinion without the facts from the game. Again tell me how much ball they lost while he was on, tell me another forward that had more runs in the same period?

Of the four props that were selected for the Tahs you might postulate that Barratt had the best game. He was certainly top 2. But AFL converted is right, he got thoroughly worked over in the scrum in the first 20. While he was good around the park, a props first duty is the scrum and the rest is sugar coating. It was good strategy to have him do his 20 minutes early rather than late - credit to Coleman for that. Tupou would have killed him. He's going to be a great Tah prop but he's not ready yet.

The real issue is that Johnson-Holmes has totally regressed over the last two seasons and is a shadow of his former self. Not saying he was a world beater then, but he was solid. Now he looks down on confidence and down on strength. Tom Ross looks better than him and he looked pretty bad last night too.

Botha and Holtz are still a couple of weeks away, Botha might be back next week, but might not. Holtz has been out for about 12 months, so the cavalry are a long way off. Brumbies away next week, Crusaders in Sydney the week after. Both those teams are fearsome scrummagers. Time for me to take a holiday at the South Pole I think.

 

[pnut]

Of the four props that were selected for the Tahs you might postulate that Barratt had the best game. He was certainly top 2. But AFL converted is right, he got thoroughly worked over in the scrum in the first 20. While he was good around the park, a props first duty is the scrum and the rest is sugar coating. It was good strategy to have him do his 20 minutes early rather than late - credit to Coleman for that. Tupou would have killed him. He's going to be a great Tah prop but he's not ready yet.

The real issue is that Johnson-Holmes has totally regressed over the last two seasons and is a shadow of his former self. Not saying he was a world beater then, but he was solid. Now he looks down on confidence and down on strength. Tom Ross looks better than him and he looked pretty bad last night too.

Botha and Holtz are still a couple of weeks away, Botha might be back next week, but might not. Holtz has been out for about 12 months, so the cavalry are a long way off. Brumbies away next week, Crusaders in Sydney the week after. Both those teams are fearsome scrummagers. Time for me to take a holiday at the South Pole I think.

So wrong selections is what you’re saying. Fair enough

 

[pnut]

I’d say your post actually supports everything about the way that Barrett was used in his debut.
I just fail to see the negativity. He had a great 20 minute run against one of the most inform and experienced props.
The other Tahs props were demolished again last night and we have a big shortage of class front rowers outside of Bell.
Watch his performances grow from that taste last night. He will know what it takes and just how much bigger the step up in pace and quality is at that level.
As I said previously a number of former players were singing his praises. I’ll take their opinion every day.
Yes you blood them carefully, especially front rowers. But that young fella should be very proud of a stella debut in a game where his older more experienced teammates were smashed up front.

Play grade and dominate we will agree until then bullshit

 

[Oldgoldminer]

Of the four props that were selected for the Tahs you might postulate that Barratt had the best game. He was certainly top 2. But AFL converted is right, he got thoroughly worked over in the scrum in the first 20. While he was good around the park, a props first duty is the scrum and the rest is sugar coating. It was good strategy to have him do his 20 minutes early rather than late - credit to Coleman for that. Tupou would have killed him. He's going to be a great Tah prop but he's not ready yet.

The real issue is that Johnson-Holmes has totally regressed over the last two seasons and is a shadow of his former self. Not saying he was a world beater then, but he was solid. Now he looks down on confidence and down on strength. Tom Ross looks better than him and he looked pretty bad last night too.

Botha and Holtz are still a couple of weeks away, Botha might be back next week, but might not. Holtz has been out for about 12 months, so the cavalry are a long way off. Brumbies away next week, Crusaders in Sydney the week after. Both those teams are fearsome scrummagers. Time for me to take a holiday at the South Pole I think.

Fair points.
Yes it’s a shame to see Johnson-Holmes regression. I had huge hopes for him as well. He is not on his own though, and that’s been one of my biggest complaints of DC. There are a number of players who should be coming into their best football but have gone backwards.

Yes you’re right the next fortnight is going to be a real acid test. It could get very ugly this year with almost everyone seeing it as DC’s last. They certainly didn’t give the impression that it’s a very united team. With the Rebels likely winding up this year, hopefully there will be extra depth available for the Aus teams next year.

 

[griffins]

Of the four props that were selected for the Tahs you might postulate that Barratt had the best game. He was certainly top 2. But AFL converted is right, he got thoroughly worked over in the scrum in the first 20. While he was good around the park, a props first duty is the scrum and the rest is sugar coating. It was good strategy to have him do his 20 minutes early rather than late - credit to Coleman for that. Tupou would have killed him. He's going to be a great Tah prop but he's not ready yet.

The real issue is that Johnson-Holmes has totally regressed over the last two seasons and is a shadow of his former self. Not saying he was a world beater then, but he was solid. Now he looks down on confidence and down on strength. Tom Ross looks better than him and he looked pretty bad last night too.

Botha and Holtz are still a couple of weeks away, Botha might be back next week, but might not. Holtz has been out for about 12 months, so the cavalry are a long way off. Brumbies away next week, Crusaders in Sydney the week after. Both those teams are fearsome scrummagers. Time for me to take a holiday at the South Pole I think.

Ignoring one of the more blatant trolls/player relatives I've ever seen, the HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) point is interesting. Was very effective at LHP and trending nicely and has struggled since shifting to accommodate Bell. Wonder if he regrets his decision (I hope it wasn't made for him)...

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Barrett also played in all the trials while any Club Prop is waiting for the season to start.

Probably is a Shute Shield Prop that could hold a scrum better right now but offer nothing to the organisation long term. There isn’t a Schoup sitting in Club land right now from what I know. Happy to be corrected but long term this is a good thing.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see a signing out of the MLR or similar.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) is just another guy at this level. The fact he’s a Wallaby is great for him but shouldn’t confuse his ceiling.

He’ll have a long career in the journeyman style.

 

[pnut]

Barrett also played in all the trials while any Club Prop is waiting for the season to start.

Probably is a Shute Shield Prop that could hold a scrum better right now but offer nothing to the organisation long term. There isn’t a Schoup sitting in Club land right now from what I know. Happy to be corrected but long term this is a good thing.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see a signing out of the MLR or similar.

So he is not not a a better selection right now. agree

 

[pnut]

Barrett also played in all the trials while any Club Prop is waiting for the season to start.

Probably is a Shute Shield Prop that could hold a scrum better right now but offer nothing to the organisation long term. There isn’t a Schoup sitting in Club land right now from what I know. Happy to be corrected but long term this is a good thing.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see a signing out of the MLR or similar.

In the trial what clubs did he dominate against? Kids good but not ready or developed yet

 

[Pfitzy]

How about play grade get better than be ready. Novel idea I know

Grade is no preparation for professional Rugby.

 

[pnut]

Grade is no preparation for professional Rugby.

Rubbish stupid. Comment. Play them straight from colts. Great idea

 

[Highlander35]

HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) is just Aldi brand Ben Alexander, this is his level, don't ever expect more from him than a few big carries and holding his own against the bottom 30% of looseheads.

 

[Oldgoldminer]

Rubbish stupid. Comment. Play them straight from colts. Great idea

You heard of Angus Bell or Zane Nonggorr? Just two other props that have done it recently. You are well named.

 

[pnut]

You heard of Angus Bell or Zane Nonggorr? Just two other props that have done it recently. You are well named.

Both played in grade.

 

[pnut]

Nice that c

You heard of Angus Bell or Zane Nonggorr? Just two other props that have done it recently. You are well named. too wallabies no pressure

Nice compare him to wallabies. Clearly high expectations for him from his family

 

[Oldgoldminer]

Nice that c

Nice compare him to wallabies. Clearly high expectations for him from his family

I support rugby. Because I have defended my own point, you think I’m somehow linked to a player. All I asked was to back up your opinion with some facts. I made no comparison of their skill, just a reference to the fact that two of them had made their debut at the same age in the front row.

At age 64 and with children and grand children of my own I don’t need to be anyone’s cheer leader. I have a high hopes for a number of the young rugby players as I pointed out in my first post today. I am a long time supporter of the Waratahs and know many of the players through the years. Despite the results I’ve been a member for over 25 years and rarely miss a game at home and travel at least twice a year. What about you?

 

[griffins]

HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) (Harry Johnson-Holmes) is just Aldi brand Ben Alexander, this is his level, don't ever expect more from him than a few big carries and holding his own against the bottom 30% of looseheads.

Alexander also struggled massively after being asked to switch sides. Was never the same plsyer.