S15s Australian Conference

[Scotty]

agree with fp, the centres for the Tahs really worry me. In saying that if Daniel Halangahu can step up at 10, then Berrick Barnes slips comfortably into 12 with Ryan Cross at 13 to cover for Rob Horne.

There are definitely question marks for the Reds as to their openside but only through a lack of experience. I am naively confident of Gill, Quirk and Schatz doing the job needed. In saying that, I reckon we may well see a bit of Ben Coridas and/or Beau Robinson there as well.

If the Reds again play most games up tempo, their young (and mostly pretty quick) loosies will suit the job.

 

[Proud Pig]

Tahs - Strong all over the field and with quality in every position when fit and firing.
Reds - Could do anything but may struggle when it gets really hot in the scrum.
Brumbies - Solid team but without any real WOW.
Rebels - Good solid if unspectacular looking squad with real size in the backs which should show a strong very physical style.
Force - Think they will really struggle.

 

[fatprop]

The Rebels are an unknown quality and their performance will completely rely on medical information currently unknown by us.

Placing them absolutely anywhere is just guess work.

and limited/untested at 10 and 9 except for Cipriani who could be flakey or a superstar

 

[en_force_er]

and limited/untested at 10 and 9 except for Cipriani who could be flakey or a superstar

Considering they have so many big ball runners I think we'll see them play like West Province did in the Currie Cup.

I don't think this style of play relies on the 9-10 to be anything more then "good enough".

 

[Boomer]

The Rebels are an unknown quality and their performance will completely rely on medical information currently unknown by us.

Placing them absolutely anywhere is just guess work.

What he said.

 

[Hawko]

On a limb

Reds
Tahs
Rebels
Brumbies
Force

I don't like tipping the tahs so highly given their record. And I do think the Rebels will actually go ok.
Depending on how the season goes the Tahs and Brumbies could easily swap.

"Given their record"??? I think you're just going fishing.

If you're not, just have a look at the table for the last few years. They are the only Aussie team to make the top four, and have been the top Aussie team over the last five years.

And I agree with enforcer. The Rebels could be anything or nothing.

 

[qwerty51]

Reds haven't finished higher than the Tahs since 2001?

Won't be changing any time soon!

 

[Scarfman]

The Tahs have got the perfect side for coming about 4th in the comp overall.

 

[#1 Tah]

May I remind everyone that the centres of Carter and Horne were played V chiefs & Hurricanes, and our back 3 still tore them a new one.

 

[en_force_er]

May I remind everyone that the centres of Carter and Horne were played V chiefs & Hurricanes, and our back 3 still tore them a new one.

and the other 11 games?

 

[farva]

May I remind everyone that the centres of Carter and Horne were played V chiefs & Hurricanes, and our back 3 still tore them a new one.

I think that is a case of in spite of as opposed to because of.

 

[fatprop]

May I remind everyone that the centres of Carter and Horne were played V chiefs & Hurricanes, and our back 3 still tore them a new one.

And if Horne is out to June? Do you see them having same the penetration with Cross?

 

[Red Rooster]

farva

Coridas is not a specialist 7. He's more of a dogsbody flanker who can play both positions, and I've even seen him play 8 at the club level. He didn't get on the park for the Tahs and was injured a lot. The fire in him, one of his best attributes, seem to go out. Fully fit he is a good player; I wish him well. Ditto that for Rat Beau Robinson; no I don't don't know why the Rebels didn't pick him up (or one of the Lams) either.

Interesting - he has been injured alot so we dont actually know if he is good . A sources close to the Aust U20's said he was ahead of Pocock at the RWC as a 7 a couple of years back. I am sure the Tahs signed him for a reason

 

[Red Rooster]

It will be interesting for the Tahs fans as to how they play next year. Logic says run it with the backline they have but with the likes of Waugh and Baxter you would think that extravagant rugby might be a stretch. I am betting on % rugby, occasional flair, Hickey gets rolled by internal factions, Foley takes over and 10 man rugby is restored as he is good at this - Anyone got other ideas??

 

[Lindommer]

SupeRugby 2011 will be a new experience, for both the spectators and the participants. There's no doubt those "fringe" members of every squad will get extensive game time, something the Super 12/14 coaches have avoided with the 14/16 week competitions of the last 15 years. The most successful teams have been those which have used the least number of players, developing combinations and rhythm has been paramount. But next year it all changes and SupeRugby teams will start to look like those in the Magners/Aviva/Top 14 competitions: there will be a LOT more resting/rotating of players.

And who among the Super coaches has experience of this style of team selection? Link at Stade Francais, and to a smaller extent, Graham at Bath and Saracens. Expect to see the Reds do very well next year. My tip has them in the top three.

 

[en_force_er]

SupeRugby 2011 will be a new experience, for both the spectators and the participants. There's no doubt those "fringe" members of every squad will get extensive game time, something the Super 12/14 coaches have avoided with the 14/16 week competitions of the last 15 years. The most successful teams have been those which have used the least number of players, developing combinations and rhythm has been paramount. But next year it all changes and SupeRugby teams will start to look like those in the Magners/Aviva/Top 14 competitions: there will be a LOT more resting/rotating of players.

And who among the Super coaches has experience of this style of team selection? Link at Stade Francais, and to a smaller extent, Graham at Bath and Saracens. Expect to see the Reds do very well next year. My tip has them in the top three.

Finally the Lions being in the league will have a purpose! Rest week.

 

[Slim 293]

Andy Friend was also head coach at Quins for a few years...

 

[Lindommer]

Andy Friend was also head coach at Quins for a few years...

Thanks Dusty, missed that. But I don't think Andy's Quins' experience will help the Brumbies next year, he's somewhat of a disappointment considering the cattle at his disposal.

My point is management and selection by coaches will be more important than it's ever been. I could honestly see the Tahs struggling about mid-season, Hickey's done nothing which suggests to me he has the imagination to do things differently or to solve a new problem. And Waugh's dead hand dictating a narrow game could be fatal for the Tahs next year. This new, longer comp is foreign to every coach (apart from Link, Graham and Friend) which brings Macqueen's ability to solve problems imaginatively to the fore. The Rebels'll do OK next year. But look out for a slump in 2012, their ageing playing roster will be a big problem.

 

[grievous]

Farva, Tahs cant win, Ive just changed to the Rebels!!!!!!!

 

[Langthorne]

Great thread.

Each of the teams has issues to deal with:

Positions they lack depth, or a not strong in. The relative strengths of the coaches. Injuries.

The Tahs are very thin at 13, especially with Horne injured. Again.
They have excellent depth, talent and experience.
I'm not confident that the coach will rotate the squad effectively.

The Reds have an excellent backline.
I don't think they have great depth, and maybe the scrum and 7 wil be a weakness.
Link will use his resources well.

The Brumbies have a pretty good squad. They hardly had Mortlock and Smith last season so that is not a new thing.
On paper, and without injuries, they only look thin at 13 (depending on where they play AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)). Their forwards should be able to hold their own against most teams.
Can Friend get them playing decent rugby? Can he keep his squad heathy? It would be a new and welcome development if he can.

The Force. Great back row. Adequate tight 5. No depth. Backs are average at best, especially when the inevitabe injuries start. JO'C is good, but I'm not sure he is good enough to solve that situation.

The Rebels. MacQueen is a legend. He can do anything, well I hope he can and we see Mortlock firing on all cylinders again.


My big guess at this early stage:


Tahs, Brumbies, Reds, Rebels, Force.....quite a bit of guesswork and hope in there I'm afraid.