He didn't miss too many games, but he is prone to be needing attention twice a game
The guessing game: return of Vickerman
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He didn't miss too many games, but he is prone to be needing attention twice a game
DPK
Peter Sullivan (51)
With an untested Vickerman and poor old Caldwell with that dreadful ongoing sickness, Timani may well still get a contract.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
If Vickerman can't play until June 2011 it will be a big ask to expect him to be right for the RWC. When I saw him play in the Varsity game I thought he would need a full S15 season and he'd be right about halfway through it.
If he can make it it will be good for Oz to have another tight head lock available for the big one, though let's not forget that he wasn't exactly a shining light in the 2007 RWC.
We found out this year the consequences of not having a good tight head lock. Horwill was injured and Sharpie, new to the TH lock caper this year for the Force, did his best but he's not a natural.
Having a strong TH lock would not have fixed our tight head scrum problems by itself but it would have helped Ma'afu a bit. It's embarrassing to have to watch the flankers creep forward to support him surreptitiously.
It's pleasing to note that NSW youngsters Douglas and Peterson scrummage on the right hand side of the 2nd row. Looking at their ability at their present age they should be decent S15 players in a few years time and Oz rugby will be glad to have a couple more TH locks in the stable.
If he can make it it will be good for Oz to have another tight head lock available for the big one, though let's not forget that he wasn't exactly a shining light in the 2007 RWC.
We found out this year the consequences of not having a good tight head lock. Horwill was injured and Sharpie, new to the TH lock caper this year for the Force, did his best but he's not a natural.
Having a strong TH lock would not have fixed our tight head scrum problems by itself but it would have helped Ma'afu a bit. It's embarrassing to have to watch the flankers creep forward to support him surreptitiously.
It's pleasing to note that NSW youngsters Douglas and Peterson scrummage on the right hand side of the 2nd row. Looking at their ability at their present age they should be decent S15 players in a few years time and Oz rugby will be glad to have a couple more TH locks in the stable.
Bruce Ross
Ken Catchpole (46)
The journos were obviously scrambling to get their stories in ahead of the announcement. Rupert Guinness took the easy route by turning to the Quote Factory, Eddie Jones, who sagely opined that "with Vickerman's experience in England, he will return far more mature."
"His exposure overseas in the last couple of years will have done him well in rounding off his character," Jones said.
The prospect of a "far more mature" Vickerman whose character has been "rounded off" is a frightening prospect. More than a few team mates have been known to soil their jockstraps after receiving the Vickerman glare.
And then Brett Harris and Wayne Smith combined to produce this absolute pearler:
"Vickerman had intended to combine his studies with playing professionally for English club Northampton, but Cambridge would not allow him to do so."
Cambridge RUFC is a totally amateur club which has no players on contract. As for the University itself, the great majority of Cambridge academics would not even know that he played rugby. The truth is that he played just one game with Northampton but then decided he needed to focus on his studies.
"His exposure overseas in the last couple of years will have done him well in rounding off his character," Jones said.
The prospect of a "far more mature" Vickerman whose character has been "rounded off" is a frightening prospect. More than a few team mates have been known to soil their jockstraps after receiving the Vickerman glare.
And then Brett Harris and Wayne Smith combined to produce this absolute pearler:
"Vickerman had intended to combine his studies with playing professionally for English club Northampton, but Cambridge would not allow him to do so."
Cambridge RUFC is a totally amateur club which has no players on contract. As for the University itself, the great majority of Cambridge academics would not even know that he played rugby. The truth is that he played just one game with Northampton but then decided he needed to focus on his studies.
Novocastrian
Herbert Moran (7)
Fixed for you.
I reckon Vickerman will take over Barnes' sookface mantle at the tahs, given that's my abiding memory of him the last couple of years he was here - sitting on the ground, holding his shoulder, face screwed up in pain. Sure he'd (eventually) get up and get back into it but I reckon he's not far off a career ending injury.
It's going to take a long time to get back up to speed in a professional environment after a few years playing park football and if he's not going to be back from teh start of the S15 there's no hope of him playing any meaningful part in our impending RWC disaster.
Hope I'm wrong of course!:thumb
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
The thing is though, even if he doesn't recapture his previous form and fitness, the mere presence of a proven international quality player tends to give the other contenders a bit of hurry up. Playing lock for Australia has as much been a case of who's still standing as anything this season. Having more options than Sharpie and Horwill is a good thing.
I love the bit at the 49 second mark where we are setting for a lineout. The ball is about to be thrown and Fava is not in the lifting position so Dan Man-Handles him to be where he should be. Steely glare indeed.
[video=youtube;LBUxiCA0ZTM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBUxiCA0ZTM[/video]
Blue
Andrew Slack (58)
Yada yada Eddie.
He went to Uni. A good uni I admit. He played a bit of footy, studied a lot, and probably drank some beer.
Vickerman has one thing that can help him stup up quickly - strenght of character. He is the sort of guy that if he wants it, he will work hard on his fitness and arrive in camp in S15 at least fit anough to run around for 20 minutes off the bench and take some knock to get his body tuned up. He's not the sort of guy who will rock up chomping on a pie. I'd say if he wants it enough, he will be ready come WC.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
Maybe not, but it's handy having him in the mix. Like I said earlier, it will make some of the other locks lift their game a little bit knowing that they have competition. I hope he stays healthy and has a big domestic season and then we'll see where we're at.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
As mentioned on another thread:
http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/forum/threads/4766-Waratahs-2011/page22
http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/forum/threads/4766-Waratahs-2011/page22
Scarfman
Knitter of the Scarf
Instead of watching the South African tour, I might just watch that game a couple of times.
I said at the time, that Latham should have had a truck of money backed up to his house, because he was the World's best XV at the end of his career, and we had exactly no-one to replace him.
I said at the time, that Latham should have had a truck of money backed up to his house, because he was the World's best XV at the end of his career, and we had exactly no-one to replace him.
Bruce Ross
Ken Catchpole (46)
Well spotted, Moses.
2008 he only played two matches (one off the bench) due to injury. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...er-could-be-over/story-e6frey4i-1111117344509
2007 missed most of S14 season with the tahs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Vickerman.
2006 injury ended his Spring tour. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Wallabies_Spring_Tour
Scotty
David Codey (61)
And instead the ARU offered Latho a greatly reduced contract. Deans had contacted him prior to him being injured the year he left and told him he would be picked in the team. No doubt he recognised the need for a few experienced players in the backline to slowly hand the reigns over the younger breed. Having him involved with the Wallabies for another year would have been extremely beneficial for the wallabies and reds IMO.
Scotty
David Codey (61)
Fair enough, but it still appears he played close to 50% of wallaby games over that period. More than can be said for the likes of MMM!
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