Team versus Cheetahs

[Pfitzy]

Not willing to make too many changes, but there are some guys who need their shit sorted out and game time in the back half of the comp:

1 Kepu
2 TPN
3 Baxter
4 Mumm
5 Caldwell
6 Dennis
7 Waugh
8 Mowen (I'm assuming Palu needs rest, but Waugh won't)
9 Holmes
10 Hangers
11 Shmoo
12 Carter
13 Horne
14 Turner
15 Beale

16 Fitzy
17 Palmer
18 Douglas
19 McCaffrey
20 Burgess
21 Sidey
22 Anesi

I'm also assuming Barnes is crocked and needs a week up the coast to get his head right.

 

[cyclopath]

I'd be happy with that 22, NTA. Especially if Palmer gets some meaningful time on the park.

 

[spectator]

Could be a good game for Nadolo to see if he is up to it? Or even Betham? I also wonder how close McKibben might be to a run?

 

[Lee Grant]

NN didn't cover himself in glory for the Junior Waratahs.

Betham looked good in a trial game at Viking Park before the S14 and was taken on tour to the RSA by the Tahs instead of NN. But in Huxley's comeback game for the Runners Betham looked tentative for the JWs. I was very disappointed; he seemed not to know how to use the ball.

McKibben was the JW's best in that game and looked every inch a S14 player. If Burgess gets a game off I would be happy for him to be on the bench. I am expecting news that he will be picked up by the Rebels as he looks like an obvious choice.

I wouldn't mind Fitzy getting a starting game against the Cheetahs. They have a lot of injuries and have a long trip to Sydney. As NTA indicates Fat Cat and young Douglas should get a rest and Barnes should have one enforced on him.

 

[TheRiddler]

Could be a good game for Nadolo to see if he is up to it? Or even Betham? I also wonder how close McKibben might be to a run?

Why this obsession with the rugby player formerly known as Ratu (will he be known as Symbol next year)? He is dead set crap and a liability.

 

[cyclopath]

Well, he's on a contract, so I guess the idea is to see how he might go at a higher level. But if he is failing to deliver for the JWs as Lee said, maybe not up to it. I would like to see him get a go at some stage.

 

[Hawko]

Given that the Cheetahs have real problems right now I would rotate some players, rest Barnes, and stack the reserves with insurance. I am assuming Palu and Waugh are out for a week with injury. So...

1 Kepu, 2 Fitzpatrick, 3 Palmer
4 Mumm (c), 5 Caldwell
6 Dennis, 7 Mowen, 8 McCaffrey
9 Holmes, 10 Hangers
12 Carter, 13 Horne
11 Nadolo, 15 Beale, 14 Turner

Res: Benny, TPN, Baxter, Douglas, McKibbin, Schmoo, Anese.

Palmer should start so he gets some time on the park, Baxter is not 100% and we need a back-up for the big games this year. I know that means the reserves have 3 front rowers but TPN could play 20 minutes in the back row if there are a few injuries. First backrow injury Douglas comes on with Mumm to 8, second injury Mumm goes to 6 and TPN to 8. He can do 20 mins there for sure. Not a lot of weight in 6-8 is my big worry, against the Cheetahs Mowen should be OK at 7. I know the Crusaders would cream that team but its the Cheetahs, and we need to give back-up players experience. Next week if Waugh and Palu play injured and aggravates their injuries, they won't be available for the Crusaders game, which we must win to have any hope of a home semi.

Backs have got good flexibility. I know Nadolo has not got good reports this year, though I think that was mainly the Runners game. If he is going to stay we need to find out if he can make it, otherwise we have to cut him free. Only way to do that is try him and Schmoo is there to back up if it all goes to custard. I am assuming Betham is Rebels bound, if he's not then he should get first crack.

I expect Hickey to play this week's team, even with players playing injured.

 

[TOCC]

it would be a terrible idea to go tinkering with a backline a week before the crusaders match, on top of that underestimating the Cheetahs could backfire

 

[#1 Tah]

Could be a good game for Nadolo to see if he is up to it? Or even Betham? I also wonder how close McKibben might be to a run?

Nadolo (winger,125kg) is currently heavier then wycliff palu (No. 8,120kg)
Brendon McKibbon is currently coaching Easts U/14s

 

[Aussie D]

Palmer should start so he gets some time on the park, Baxter is not 100% and we need a back-up for the big games this year. I know that means the reserves have 3 front rowers but TPN could play 20 minutes in the back row if there are a few injuries. First backrow injury Douglas comes on with Mumm to 8, second injury Mumm goes to 6 and TPN to 8. He can do 20 mins there for sure. Not a lot of weight in 6-8 is my big worry, against the Cheetahs Mowen should be OK at 7. I know the Crusaders would cream that team but its the Cheetahs, and we need to give back-up players experience. Next week if Waugh and Palu play injured and aggravates their injuries, they won't be available for the Crusaders game, which we must win to have any hope of a home semi.

Why? He has already signed on for the Brumbies. The 'tahs would be better off giving Paddy Ryan game-time if it is for development purposes.

 

[waratahjesus]

it would be a terrible idea to go tinkering with a backline a week before the crusaders match, on top of that underestimating the Cheetahs could backfire

agree with you TOCC, i dont understand resting people when we havnt clicked.
if barnes is going to play the week after, is resting him going to get his form back, or is he being demoted permanately?
in which case i would play hangers l0, beale l2 and mitchell at fullback with a new winger coming in.

p.s. love the fact that for six weeks you call for Carter to be dropped and a week later he is back in.

 

[Aussie D]

p.s. love the fact that for six weeks you call for Carter to be dropped and a week later he is back in.

Back in at 12 though I think you will find WJ. Hopefully never again as a 13.

 

[fatprop]

Palmer should start so he gets some time on the park, Baxter is not 100% and we need a back-up for the big games this year. I know that means the reserves have 3 front rowers but TPN could play 20 minutes in the back row if there are a few injuries. First backrow injury Douglas comes on with Mumm to 8, second injury Mumm goes to 6 and TPN to 8. He can do 20 mins there for sure. Not a lot of weight in 6-8 is my big worry, against the Cheetahs Mowen should be OK at 7. I know the Crusaders would cream that team but its the Cheetahs, and we need to give back-up players experience. Next week if Waugh and Palu play injured and aggravates their injuries, they won't be available for the Crusaders game, which we must win to have any hope of a home semi.

Why? He has already signed on for the Brumbies. The 'tahs would be better off giving Paddy Ryan game-time if it is for development purposes.

+1

 

[Hawko]

Because if Baxter is injured this year Kepu has shown he is not a good enough replacement. I'm thinking only about what-ifs for this year with regard to Palmer.

 

[Lindommer]

7 Waugh
8 Mowen (I'm assuming Palu needs rest, but Waugh won't)

I suspect Waugh's crocked and will need a few weeks off. What do the Tahs do now for a fetcher?

 

[mark_s]

I would only be making changes necessary due to injuries. We want to win against the cheetahs and ideally with a BP. As we found out lastyear, its just as important to do well against the bottom half of the ladder as against the top half.

Hopefully we will be in a positon where the bench will be able to be used early in the game to rest those that are carrying niggles.

 

[chief]

Both half backs weren't looking too good. Burgo had slow service, and sometimes just slowed it down, Holmes was similar. I hope to see McKibbin getting a run off the bench, he's exactly what they need at the moment.

 

[Pfitzy]

if barnes is going to play the week after, is resting him going to get his form back, or is he being demoted permanately?

You've uncovered my evil plot. I don't think he deserves to be in the starting lineup until he gets his groove back. I think a more direct attack by Carter has served us well against the Saders recently, and Barnes' presence is unlikely to allow us to out-kick Carter when he's obviously not in good shape.

p.s. love the fact that for six weeks you call for Carter to be dropped and a week later he is back in.

For 6 weeks I've been saying he's a shit outside centre, and I was proven comprehensively right.

 

[Ishmael]

I would only be making changes necessary due to injuries. We want to win against the cheetahs and ideally with a BP. As we found out lastyear, its just as important to do well against the bottom half of the ladder as against the top half.

Hopefully we will be in a positon where the bench will be able to be used early in the game to rest those that are carrying niggles.

Agreed. In a competition this short momentum is far more important than resting tired players or building depth. The bench players who have come on have all added something so we know they can step up if needed. There will probably be a few changes forced through injury but beyond that I'd just be focusing on building the combinations. The bye week's coming up anyway so everyone will have some time to recuperate then.

 

[Pfitzy]

The rumour mill has Waugh struggling, so put Mowen at 7 and Palu at 8. Mumm to captain.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26910628-5002381,00.html