Some huge calls from the Tahs in this. Obviously Robertson, Swinton and Folketi on notice. Glad to see Clark and Maddocks start but Newsome at 13 is bewildering. Assume Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) is being partially rested. Big assignment for Bell to start a t 9 yo. Fingers crossed, but not confident
Still not a big fan of the 6-2 split. Is that 7 props used in the first 3 weeks without injury or just 6?
Would it kill them to release a list of unavailables and why? Would end a lot frustration on a personal level.
Otherwise, I'm reasonably happy with the changes made to the starting side, barring the lack of Deegan, to which I will give the benefit of the doubt to the idea he is injured, given the late withdrawal from the 2nds game last week.
If you ever wondered about the perverse reward-messaging system that is NSW Rugby, just ponder on a player who has proved himself wholly unreliable as a defender, gets moved to the most complicated defensive position in rugby - and the player(s) who have proved themselves at the very least 'competent' in that position, get dropped.
I think Nawaqanitawase being on the bench is due to not being able to train early in the week and still being pretty sore (albeit fit to play). Doesn't seem like a bad decision given its his first year of pro football and there's a lot of games to go.
I also wouldn't have picked Newsome at 13. I find that selection pretty bizarre.
Penny basically said Foketi is not providing the communication needed at 13 and they are falling apart in the connection from inside to outside backs. Newsome is apparently a good communicator and as such has been put there to fix it. I hope it results in big structural gains because something needs to change.I also wouldn't have picked Newsome at 13. I find that selection pretty bizarre.
If he does not participate in all training sessions in the week he will not play - Rassie.
Penny basically said Foketi is not providing the communication needed at 13 and they are falling apart in the connection from inside to outside backs. Newsome is apparently a good communicator and as such has been put there to fix it. I hope it results in big structural gains because something needs to change.
Does he actually do this in practice? Seems pretty unlikely.
Let's hope so!
Listen onward from 13 min and 30 seconds - https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/podcast-rassie-had-an-aura-about-him/
Not my words, these are Irish rugby players that played under him for Munster.
It was also his mantra during RWC 2019 and is the reason he did not rely on Morne Steyn and that ilk because they mostly sit on the sidelines.
I guess I was more questioning whether this is a hard and fast rule he applied or whether it was what he tried to do generally but made some exceptions (much more likely in my view).
Sticking with this policy means that anyone under the concussion protocol were never selected for the following week because they are not allowed to train fully through the week.
So what's the verdict here? Rebels to find form and win?
So what's the verdict here? Rebels to find form and win?