Tahs v Reds Trial Sat 24 Jan Toowoomba
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Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
No world beaters here.
Tim Bennetts has been the always injured NSW schoolboy centre (other than Cam Mitchell) of 2008 and 2007. He got into the 2008 Oz A Schools team despite not being able to make it it to the Schools tournament. Was in the amateur JWs last year whilst still at school. Have only seen him on the wing when he was in Yr.11 but looked like a good footie player.
Nath Nicol was a handy hooker at Joeys a while back now and made Oz A Schools. Is usually a backup to Gluth at Gordon. Can't remember him a lot in club rugby to be honest, but enough to say that he is not a patch on Damien Fitzpatrick who is starting in the trial.
Martin Plotskys like Nicol, usually plays in the Gordon 2nd grade team but has made the odd appearance in 1st grade. Can't remember his play either. LHP who can play THP at a stretch.
Tim Archibald Tough bastard. THP but like the others, doesn't look like Super 14 rugby material. At least he is a regular in 1st grade.
Lachlan McCaffrey Excellent NSW Schools no.8 in 2007 and played better than Jake Schatz in the Schools tournament, but Schatz made the Oz Schools Ones and McCaffrey, the Twos. Have seen him come off the bench for Eastwood but started in 2nd grade because the Eastwood backrow is hard to crack. Didn't look like he had put on a lot of weight since leaving school.
Mark Preston is a smallish neat fullback who nevertheless has a good tackling technique. Regular 1st grader.
Tim Bennetts has been the always injured NSW schoolboy centre (other than Cam Mitchell) of 2008 and 2007. He got into the 2008 Oz A Schools team despite not being able to make it it to the Schools tournament. Was in the amateur JWs last year whilst still at school. Have only seen him on the wing when he was in Yr.11 but looked like a good footie player.
Nath Nicol was a handy hooker at Joeys a while back now and made Oz A Schools. Is usually a backup to Gluth at Gordon. Can't remember him a lot in club rugby to be honest, but enough to say that he is not a patch on Damien Fitzpatrick who is starting in the trial.
Martin Plotskys like Nicol, usually plays in the Gordon 2nd grade team but has made the odd appearance in 1st grade. Can't remember his play either. LHP who can play THP at a stretch.
Tim Archibald Tough bastard. THP but like the others, doesn't look like Super 14 rugby material. At least he is a regular in 1st grade.
Lachlan McCaffrey Excellent NSW Schools no.8 in 2007 and played better than Jake Schatz in the Schools tournament, but Schatz made the Oz Schools Ones and McCaffrey, the Twos. Have seen him come off the bench for Eastwood but started in 2nd grade because the Eastwood backrow is hard to crack. Didn't look like he had put on a lot of weight since leaving school.
Mark Preston is a smallish neat fullback who nevertheless has a good tackling technique. Regular 1st grader.
R
rugbywhisperer
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So Lee, what are the NSW selectors looking for with such a young and appearingly inexperienced side at Toowoomba? It certainly doesn't appear to be going to reach too many highs but I'm sure it's a great fillup for the newbies.
And yes, Elsom was magnificent as were most if not all the SH players at the weekend.
Just goes to show.
And yes, Elsom was magnificent as were most if not all the SH players at the weekend.
Just goes to show.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
It was always the intention of the Tahs to play the 1st trial with mostly Wannabies. They won't start their real team until the third trial. The second one will be in between.
I'd be surprised if the Reds don't play their Wannabies too at Toowoomba and had always planned that way.
Having said that, most of the Tahs trial 1st XV will get a run in the S14 this year but Fitzpatrick, Douglas, Coridas, Su'a and, I assume, Bennetts, are all in the professional JWs and won't play S14 unless there are injuries to contracted S14 players in their spot.
Was hoping that 12 David Tautaiolefue would get a run. He is virtually unknown except to the cognoscenti of Sydney club rugby, but he was added to the Junior Waratahs for 2009. Since he is not named in the 22 and some amateurs have been named, he is probably not a professional as I thought - or injured.
This is a big match for all the players except SNK and Beale whose qualities are already known.
Was a bit surprised that Halangahu didn't get a start; so am fairly sure that he will start in the 2nd trial.
Anyone going to the match? I would like reports on lock Douglas and hooker Fitzpatrick. Ta.
I'd be surprised if the Reds don't play their Wannabies too at Toowoomba and had always planned that way.
Having said that, most of the Tahs trial 1st XV will get a run in the S14 this year but Fitzpatrick, Douglas, Coridas, Su'a and, I assume, Bennetts, are all in the professional JWs and won't play S14 unless there are injuries to contracted S14 players in their spot.
Was hoping that 12 David Tautaiolefue would get a run. He is virtually unknown except to the cognoscenti of Sydney club rugby, but he was added to the Junior Waratahs for 2009. Since he is not named in the 22 and some amateurs have been named, he is probably not a professional as I thought - or injured.
This is a big match for all the players except SNK and Beale whose qualities are already known.
Was a bit surprised that Halangahu didn't get a start; so am fairly sure that he will start in the 2nd trial.
Anyone going to the match? I would like reports on lock Douglas and hooker Fitzpatrick. Ta.
R
rugbywhisperer
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Lee Grant said:
In kind I was surprised young Slipper wasn't included on the Qld bench after training so well and good EOYT.
Not bothering to go but I will keep an ear to the ground - Bruce Holden of 15ManRugby should have a report up by Sunday morning.
T
TOCC
Guest
i may be going to this match, i start work back in Toowoomba on Tuesday and have a Australia Day party to go to on Sunday in Toowoomba, so im considering it.
I dont have anyone to go with thats the only problem, my other mates from work arent heading back to Toowoomba until Monday, i might just rock up and hope that i run into some of the boys i played rugby with up there.
Pre-season matches are usually average matches anyway.
I dont have anyone to go with thats the only problem, my other mates from work arent heading back to Toowoomba until Monday, i might just rock up and hope that i run into some of the boys i played rugby with up there.
Pre-season matches are usually average matches anyway.
Well done Ash.
- so apart from the recent Wallaby tourists, no Lucas, Braid, Holmes, Hardman or Humphries.
- Schatz (in the article at least) listed as an openside, with no Andrew Shaw in site either.
- I like that centre combo, as a back up at least. v Cater and Carraro it will be the battle of the crash ballers.
- McKibbon again listed as being in the academy despite not being on the web site. And Mooney calls him #3 despite Swanepoel being listed in the academy. Fair enough though.
- that's a fiery lock combo
- electric speed in the back 3
- so apart from the recent Wallaby tourists, no Lucas, Braid, Holmes, Hardman or Humphries.
- Schatz (in the article at least) listed as an openside, with no Andrew Shaw in site either.
- I like that centre combo, as a back up at least. v Cater and Carraro it will be the battle of the crash ballers.
- McKibbon again listed as being in the academy despite not being on the web site. And Mooney calls him #3 despite Swanepoel being listed in the academy. Fair enough though.
- that's a fiery lock combo
- electric speed in the back 3
- don't think so? :nta: can't see him there.
T
TOCC
Guest
that is a super quick backline for the Reds, good to see Luke Morahan on the bench, he sounds like a good young player and i wouldnt be suprised if he makes his S14 debut in 2009.
R
rugbywhisperer
Guest
He is but just not yet. He is also one of the fastest forwards over the shorter distances. I also think Luke Moraghan is better suited to the 15 man game and has a future here but boy there are some really handy wingers coming thru in the next few years. Wing is one spot we are not short on in Australia.Ash said:
F
formeropenside
Guest
It will be interesting to see how Luafutu goes at 7: not that he will keep Braid out of the 7 jersey, but to see to what might be in a few years time.
T
TOCC
Guest
Luafutu might be better off playing blindside flanker, depending on where McMenimen settles down, if MMM becomes a permanent lock then Luafutu might be able to snare the 6 jersey. His not exactly a good height for been a lineout jumper, but with the amount of lineoutds declining under the ELV's it may not be absolutely necessary to have 3 two meter tall lineout jumpers. Especially if the other 2 are McMenimen and Horwill.
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