I'm sounding like a broken record since I heard that Hewat was released from his Tahs contract, but the Tahs need an elite goal kicker. It's not as though they can score tries from all over the park to make up for missed goals.
The Tahs dodged a couple of goal-kicking bullets last year, but they can't expect their luck to hold in 2009. Kurtley Beale nailed a conversion from the sideline in Perth which meant the Force needed to score a try to win, and they couldn't - and he nailed another wide one in Cape Town in the rain, which in hindsight was responsible for the vital draw.
Full marks to him for those efforts but he is a reserve kicker at best at this stage.
I saw Lachie Turner at Coogee Oval this year kicking well for Eastwood. He didn't kick every one but he struck them all well except one IIRR. It's a small sample but lets hope he can show something in the trials.
I wouldn't get too excited about Halangahu fulfulling that role either. I'd like to see him play a few more games this year but goal kicking shouldn't be part of the decision, because I've seen him have some shocking days with the boot.
As for the article: I hope that the NSW medicos are looking after Palu's long term interests. Can't say I trust the medicos of any sporting team 100%. If he is truly fit then having the big boofhead at 8 will make a difference. Of a sudden the pack looks better than if he's not there because players won't have to move around to patch up the team.
It's interesting that Hickey is announcing a more expansive game. I thought last year that from the time when Burgess put his hand up the Tah's played the best rugby for the players they had, and it was based on the pack plus Burgess.
Things will be different in the pack in 2009 with Mumm having to move into lock, Elsom and 2 quality S14 props absent; so I guess the Tahs will have to do things a bit different accordingly. Hickey is too good a coach to think that playing expansively is the be all and end all of rugby, because even under the ELVs the first ingredient needed for such a game is quick ball, surely delivered.
Reactive play on opponents turnovers is important also, but the Tahs weren't great in that area last year. Perhaps some of the Wallabies can give some of Deans' tips in that regard. If they do, suggestions will include such mysterious things as getting lazy arses off the ground and running backwards smartly into attacking configurations.
But I digress. The Tahs will have to do something about the 12 position. At 10 Beale can dish the ball out with the best of them unless he is being controlled by some game plan, and Horne at 13 is such a quick learner that he will be full grown by the end of next season. The outside backs didn't get much ball in the 2008 S14 but their skills suit an attacking game.
The problem is at 12. I thought Tom Carter had a good year in 2008 and stayed healthy most of the time for a change. He was even involved in the odd attacking move which relied on a timely pass from him. But, by and large, he is not a catalyst for attacking play outside of him.
Tahu played well for Oz A at 12 but when you analyse his successful play you see the successes of a centre who has played league: the Gasnier ability to beat a man one on one but not the ability to capitalise on the golden moment with the golden ball. Nor does using his foot against the ball earn him any union brownie points.
I hope these comments are derided a few months from now when Tahu makes me look foolish. If so, he wouldn't be the first player to benefit from the curse of LG.
Where was I? 12. Who then? Perhaps as Noddy says: young Horne who had it all as a 12 for NSW Schools though he had to move to 13 for Oz Schools - and Tahu at 13. Maybe we will have the meat and potaotes Cararro at 13 and kicking goals.
Maybe not also, but let's at least see the Horner trial some at inside centre.
