Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Vickerman can't play in the finals...
Tahs vs Brumbies. Give us a hand mate? 2011R18
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Vickerman can't play in the finals...
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
If he can't play in the finals campaign, I'd like to see him running around in Sydney 1st grade for the next 6-8 weeks at least.
Having been at the game, I got to just watch Vickerman, rather than rely on when his head appeared on TV, and he gave it a good go. Hit plenty of rucks, made some good tackles and got pretty involved. Couple of observations - he is still a bloody big unit; positional play was good, but he needs some more fitness work. He didn't bludge, but he was sucking in the big ones at times. I think, given some solid work over the next few weeks, he will be an asset potentially, not least of all as a squad player with a very good rugby brain. I stand by my earlier assessment of cautious optimism. If all Aus lock options were fully fit, he would be at best 4 or 5 in line. But that might change.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
Yeah there is a big difference between training and match fitness. He needs a few solid 80 minute games under his belt.
That's what I meant - matches, not running around the oval! Club rugby, whatever.
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TheNextBigThing
Guest
If there aren't enough fit locks he can. If douglas and Jowitt don't return and Mumm and Dennis have to keep playing in the backrow i think he can.
That's my understanding anyway. That rule is meant to stop ring ins not punish a team that has extenuating injury concerns.
Just back from the game, a few comments:
- Re Vickerman, he can play in the finals if the Tahs make a good case to SANZAR that injuries are so severe that he has to play. It might depend on Pat O'Connors fitness. I thought he played pretty well, and I watched him closely. He looked fit, and made quite a few solid tackles. Most interestingly I thought was the fact that after the Brumbies scored their try, it was Vickerman that was giving the lecture in the huddle. I think Robbie Deans would have liked what he saw.
- In the presser Rea seemed to suggest that the Brumbies had pumped themselves up too much for this match. He was pretty cut, said they really really wanted it. A bit sad as they never fired a shot.
- Giteau was like a swan amongst ducks for the Brumbies, jeez he has turned his form around. Like Beale he was attacking the line with pace and aggression and I would pick him as the Wallaby 12 in a heartbeat.
- On the other hand, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) was like a duck amongst ducks. I am starting to get worried.
- Don't know if it was picked up by the Foxsports mics, but after TPN went down for the first time (that I saw anyway) in about the 15th minute, Moore got right in Joubert's ear to get him off the field. Taf hit the deck and then Moore said to Craig 'come on sir, this is the third time. This is cynical, he has to get off the ground'. Or words to that effect anyway. Joubert shrugged him off, and then touchie Dickinson said to Craig 'I think they are competing for spots'. Priceless.
- If Taf is out, the Tahs might be in real hooker trouble. Don't know what state of fitness Fitzpatrick is, but if he can't play then they will have to scour club ranks again. And I think Ben Roberts is injured, so it could be anyone.
- The Foxsports commentators mentioned Timani will still play for the Tahs in 2012 as the Japanese season ends in March. Anyone know anything about that? He had a belter tonight, and it will be interesting to see if he takes up his spot with Tonga as he could well be on the Wallaby radar before too long.
- Re Vickerman, he can play in the finals if the Tahs make a good case to SANZAR that injuries are so severe that he has to play. It might depend on Pat O'Connors fitness. I thought he played pretty well, and I watched him closely. He looked fit, and made quite a few solid tackles. Most interestingly I thought was the fact that after the Brumbies scored their try, it was Vickerman that was giving the lecture in the huddle. I think Robbie Deans would have liked what he saw.
- In the presser Rea seemed to suggest that the Brumbies had pumped themselves up too much for this match. He was pretty cut, said they really really wanted it. A bit sad as they never fired a shot.
- Giteau was like a swan amongst ducks for the Brumbies, jeez he has turned his form around. Like Beale he was attacking the line with pace and aggression and I would pick him as the Wallaby 12 in a heartbeat.
- On the other hand, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) was like a duck amongst ducks. I am starting to get worried.
- Don't know if it was picked up by the Foxsports mics, but after TPN went down for the first time (that I saw anyway) in about the 15th minute, Moore got right in Joubert's ear to get him off the field. Taf hit the deck and then Moore said to Craig 'come on sir, this is the third time. This is cynical, he has to get off the ground'. Or words to that effect anyway. Joubert shrugged him off, and then touchie Dickinson said to Craig 'I think they are competing for spots'. Priceless.
- If Taf is out, the Tahs might be in real hooker trouble. Don't know what state of fitness Fitzpatrick is, but if he can't play then they will have to scour club ranks again. And I think Ben Roberts is injured, so it could be anyone.
- The Foxsports commentators mentioned Timani will still play for the Tahs in 2012 as the Japanese season ends in March. Anyone know anything about that? He had a belter tonight, and it will be interesting to see if he takes up his spot with Tonga as he could well be on the Wallaby radar before too long.
Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
Before too long?!?! If Deans doesn't already have him on his list of possibles I'll be very surprised. Although there are plenty of good locks around, two in QLD, two in WA, Timani and Vickerman in NSW and Mumm as 4/5/6. Nice to have some depth!!!
Speaking of depth, add Dave Dennis to the potential backrowers. Higgers chose a bad week to have a bad one.
AngrySeahorse
Peter Sullivan (51)
That is gold, so true too.
Don't think so. He was named in the wider Tongan squad, but I think that was more a wish list from the Tongan coach. Not sure he has said yes yet.
inthestands
Sydney Middleton (9)
Did no one else notice Elvis Taione warming up with the Tahs tonight?
S
Squeak
Guest
I love Squeak bitching to Joubert about Taff. It's true, hookers will do anything for enough money. Effing brilliant. I'm the biggest Taff fan alive and I still don't know who I'd pick first for the Wobbs.
Slash
Bill Watson (15)
IMO, Mumm is a dud. I'd be shattered if he made the Wobblies RWC squad. The tahs are kidding if they think he's the captaincy successor to Waugh. It has to be TPN IMO.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Higgers seems to be getting found out with Robinsons absence...
Richo
John Thornett (49)
Even with all the injuries, the local derby aspect makes Tahs v Reds closer. Auckland hasn't been setting the world on fire lately so I think the results have panned out as well as possible for scoring a Reds-Tahs semi. Awesome.
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