The Hickey should stay thread

[Lee Grant]

so your plan is to drop the best loose head in world rugby?

NTA did give an asterisk indicating rotation - and if Robinson had a sore shoulder in the RSA he is due for a rest against the Lions. Kepu has to get some starting games else he will be poached. Then, as NTA suggests: with Robinson out of the 22, Palmer could get some time from the bench.

As for Fat Cat being the best LHP in the world, spare a thought for Gethin Jenkins of Wales and Fabien Barcella of France. They can play - and scrummage.

 

[waratahjesus]

so your plan is to drop the best loose head in world rugby?

NTA did give an asterisk indicating rotation - and if Robinson had a sore shoulder in the RSA he is due for a rest against the Lions. Kepu has to get some starting games else he will be poached. Then, as NTA suggests: with Robinson out of the 22, Palmer could get some time from the bench.

As for Fat Cat being the best LHP in the world, spare a thought for Gethin Jenkins of Wales and Fabien Barcella of France. They can play - and scrummage.

sorry missed the asterix, but even so, if your resting him, make it to the bench in case the scrum doesnt go well. dont drop him completely, and i think the tahs would probably be resigned to losing one of kepu or palmer surely, the cupboard is quite full at the moment.

i think benns last year has him up there with those two lee, you could argue for any of them, but im calling benn on last years tests.

 

[Pfitzy]

i think the tahs would probably be resigned to losing one of kepu or palmer surely, the cupboard is quite full at the moment.

???

Besides Baxter, Palmer, Robinson, and Kepu, you have Tilse. The cupbooard is only just adequate with two props required for either position. Tilse isn't up to it.

 

[Aussie D]

What a magnificently stoic win from the 'tahs. Rugby at its finest. Hopefully L'estrange will extend Hickeys contract for another 3 years with the way he has turned the team around after the Stormers debacle.

 

[Sully]

What a magnificently stoic win from the 'tahs. Rugby at its finest. Hopefully L'estrange will extend Hickeys contract for another 3 years with the way he has turned the team around after the Stormers debacle.

I'm with you D. He is doing a great job.

 

[Sandpit Fan]

What a magnificently stoic win from the 'tahs. Rugby at its finest. Hopefully L'estrange will extend Hickeys contract for another 3 years with the way he has turned the team around after the Stormers debacle.

I'm with you D. He is doing a great job.

One of their finest decisions getting rid of that Link feller.. Good to see the NSWRU taking the hard decisions to get tah rugby to its proper level.

 

[waratahjesus]

i think the tahs would probably be resigned to losing one of kepu or palmer surely, the cupboard is quite full at the moment.

???

Besides Baxter, Palmer, Robinson, and Kepu, you have Tilse. The cupbooard is only just adequate with two props required for either position. Tilse isn't up to it.

im saying that kepu and to a lesser extent palmer would both want game time meaning there likely to move as the cupboard is full. it means the tahs will have to fill it again when there gone

 

[cyclopath]

If the Tahs management let Palmer go, they are assuredly buffoons of the highest order. As if that premise needed further proof!
As Nick said, he should be getting meaningful game time, as should Fitzpatrick (especially as TPN is not 100%). If anyone gets pensioned off, let it be Baxter off to Melbourne. I agree he is scrumming well, but Palmer is the future.

 

[JJJ]

This probably isn't the right thread to ask in, but does anyone know why Link got the boot from Stade?

 

[the gambler]

They were below mid table and looked like missing out on Finals/Heineken Cup. He was also having issues with the owner over recruitment/selection. Looks Vs Playing ability.

 

[Sully]

Let me be serious for a sec.

What about your recruitment Guys getting a revving! They went out and grabbed Barnes from Qld( I know I'm shitty about it, but this is not about that) But what did he really add to your back line? What does Berrick bring that you didn't already have? So if you weren't looking to change your style of 5/8 why didn't you look for a 13? there must have been a decent one somewhere instead you bought a 12 who wants to play 10, pissed off and confused both your 10s and ended up with a slow stodgy 12 looking even slower and stodgier at 13 and 2 good wingers watching the crap going on inside and thinking WTF.

 

[Pfitzy]

Unfortunately Sully, this is the way of things in Sydney. People are recruited based on past deeds, not future promise.

If we put Carter back at 12 with Hangers, we get a Uni combination that works. Sure, everyone then knows what to expect from it, but its effective and the occasional skip pass to Horne at 13 then becomes a weapon

 

[Sully]

I guess you then have another problem. The, I am assuming he cost a bit, Very expensive bench warmer Barnes would become.

 

[Pfitzy]

He's only here on a 1-year contract Sully. He can warm the bench

 

[cyclopath]

I guess you then have another problem. The, I am assuming he cost a bit, Very expensive bench warmer Barnes would become.

He'll probably get injured anyway. It may become a moot point.

 

[waratahjesus]

I guess you then have another problem. The, I am assuming he cost a bit, Very expensive bench warmer Barnes would become.

he aint that expensive, he is on the same money he got in qld and has no third party deals, he aint here for the money.
they will find a combination, its going to take time but they will be fine,

 

[Pfitzy]

We're a third of the way through the season. I hope they hurry.

 

[Hawko]

To those who say Hickey should stay, our best young talent is going to be lost, because Hickey is TOTALLY conservative and always looks to the "don't lose" option. That is especially true in selection.

Palmer will go because he can't even get a bench spot here. That is an absolute tragedy!
Fitzpatrick will go because when Freier is fit Hickey will take the safe option.
Mowen will go because even if you're close to best on ground for three weeks you will get benched. Another tragedy.
Beale will go because he has been totally jerked around.
Betham will go because he was given no chance. Why take him to SA and not give him a bench spot for one of the two games?
Nadolo will go because he too has great potential, and can't get a chance to prove or disprove it at this level.

The Hickey gameplan says:
NEVER run it in your own half and kick 50% of the time in the opposition's half. Some team members would have been reamed for not following this plan against the Bulls.
When attacking, take your time to get everything properly organised before launching, even if this means the opposition will be organised too.
Dynamic players are only good as replacements, make sure that the run on team will not make mistakes. Carter starts at 13 despite the fact that he handbrake's the attack.

I do expect there will be changes forced on Hickey this week, but like a true conservative he won't do what's necessary.

This week the team should be:
Kepu (so Robinson can rest his shoulder and be right for the harder matches ahead).
Fitzpatrick (so TPN can get some recovery/treatment. TPN to get 5 mins off the bench).
Palmer (Baxter is reserve prop on rotation.
Douglas
Dennis (Mumm to the bench where he has to show REAL impact to get a start)
Mowen
Waugh
Palu (with McCaffrey getting at least 20 minutes from the bench. Cliffy will need some rest if he is to be on top come finals time).
Burgess (with McKibbin on the bench)
Hangers
Schmoo
Barnes (with Kurtley on the bench and to come on the first time Berrick kicks inappropriately)
Horne
Nadolo (with Betham on the bench)
Turner (he played some great games at fullback for the Tah's previously and would really add some zing to our midfield attack).

Now that team has the potential to play Rugby, especially with the right gameplan. One week later against the Force we blood D'Arcy from the bench and bring back Robinson and Baxter. Mumm for Dennis if and only if he shows something off the bench.

We might even lose one of the next two, though I doubt it, but we would have the basis for a great charge to the finals!

 

[Lindommer]

If we put Carter back at 12 with Hangers, we get a Uni combination that works. Sure, everyone then knows what to expect from it, but its effective and the occasional skip pass to Horne at 13 then becomes a weapon

When will Carter provide a decent pill to others outside him? In 2020 perhaps?

 

[rugbywhisperer]

If we put Carter back at 12 with Hangers, we get a Uni combination that works. Sure, everyone then knows what to expect from it, but its effective and the occasional skip pass to Horne at 13 then becomes a weapon

When will Carter provide a decent pill to others outside him? In 2020 perhaps?

can he play subbies he asks with a wry smile - then subbies benefit (maybe) and Tahs benefit by his loss.