The Tahs 2009

[Spook]

The Tahs need an experienced quality lock over 2m tall who plays tight, Al Campbell looks the best option.

Surely you jest? He is not S14 standard and barely makes an impact at club level. The fact that he has played for the Wallabies is a reflection of our poor forward strength not that he is good. Just because you dont see him all game doesnt mean he is playing tight. He doesnt do anything. Size isnt everything. Campbell is rubbish.

I can only but agree - you would think he'd be good in the lineout but he is crap. I'm hoping this big bloke we got from the Force takes his spot. AWH was a also a better player but Gandalf loved Campbell for some reason. Kimlin is also already better.

 

[the gambler]

Heard on the weekend that the Tahs are still after Campbell and he is likely to sign. All the more important given that Caldwell has been given a very nice offer by Stade Francais and is in the process of getting his visa sorted out.

I guess that means that Mumm will be staying a 2nd rower and not moving to cover Elsom.

 

[RugbyReg]

Ben Hand has signed with the Brums, so I assume Al C is outta there. Tah bound.

 

[Lee Grant]

I see that Ben Jacobs is off to Sarries to play for Eddie Jones.

Good luck to him. I thought he was one of the few Waratahs backs who played OK last year. He was never going to be a Wallaby though and I wish him well.

The Tahs will have to get someone to cover the outside positions vacated by Mafi and Jacobs. They should re-sign Cararro and have a look at Sidey also. From what I have seen of him in the last couple of years he's powerful in the midfield and this year he seems to be faster than I thought he was before.

He had a great game for NSW A v. the Brumby Runners in the curtain raiser to the S14 game and I think he's ready.

I hope that they give big Nasiganiyavi a rookie contract to replace Mafi. He's raw but worth a punt.

What do people think of Lachlan Mitchell and Andrew Smith? At least Smith can kick goals. Sometimes.

 

[Aussie D]

What's happened to Andrew Barrett? Has he been found out at senior / S14 level?

 

[Lee Grant]

Barrett was one of those good efficient players at the schools level who looked good for the future - and even played 1st Grade club footie whilst still at school.

I was a bit surprised how ordinary he looked in the U/19 tournament last year, though, to be fair, for one game he was playing 10. I haven't seen him play this year.

He just doesn't have enough X-factor I reckon, and in senior rugby we saw that he didn't have the speed to make up for it.

He may have started a game or 2 for the Fleet in the ARC but I only remember his being on the bench, which says something.

He is still running around for Southern Districts but was dropped from the NSW Academy.

 

[naza]

I never rated Barrett and I'm not surprised he's fringe 1st grade at this stage. Needs to move to centre where his angle running would be more dangerous.

Sidey is a good solid centre but he's another Jason Madz/Ben Jacobs type. I like Mitchell's pace and footwork but he still has a winger's passing game. Which is a shame because physically he best suits 12. If Chris Siale can't make it in S14, can Mitchell ?

Andrew Smith is a another big plodding outside back who is a much lesser version of Cam Shepherd or Mark Gerrard. I hate him and everything he reminds me of (ie: Gerrard getting run down by McCaw) !

We're looking light on for genuine size at lock next year. Was hoping Mumm could slot into 6 but it looks like he'll be the senior lock and Mowen will probably be the starting blindside.

I'm not seeing a lot of future Super rugby stars in club footy which is worry when we're losing a few a year overseas.

 

[AussieDominance]

I never rated Barrett and I'm not surprised he's fringe 1st grade at this stage. Needs to move to centre where his angle running would be more dangerous.

Sidey is a good solid centre but he's another Jason Madz/Ben Jacobs type. I like Mitchell's pace and footwork but he still has a winger's passing game. Which is a shame because physically he best suits 12. If Chris Siale can't make it in S14, can Mitchell ?

Andrew Smith is a another big plodding outside back who is a much lesser version of Cam Shepherd or Mark Gerrard. I hate him and everything he reminds me of (ie: Gerrard getting run down by McCaw) !

We're looking light on for genuine size at lock next year. Was hoping Mumm could slot into 6 but it looks like he'll be the senior lock and Mowen will probably be the starting blindside.

I'm not seeing a lot of future Super rugby stars in club footy which is worry when we're losing a few a year overseas.

Mowen was on a 1 year deal I am pretty sure has he re-signed?

 

[Spook]

What's Ben Hand like?

Glad to see Campbell go. Always went missing.

 

[Pfitzy]

Hand - promising, needs a bit more size and power.

 

[Spook]

Yeah, he's only 196 cms. Would prefer some 2 metre+ blokes.

 

[the gambler]

Was a prop at school but moved to the 2nd row when he started at Eastwood. They would probably keep him at prop these days since Sherridan and other tall props have come onto the scene.

Bit surprised the Brumbies have picked him up after the Tahs let him go but I guess it just shows the lack of other 2nd row options out there.

 

[Lee Grant]

Hand got a few gigs at the Tahs last year from the bench IIRR with Vickers and Kanaar out, but didn't set the world on fire. He's like a second class Dean Mumm.

So Campbell's coming back to the Tahs? Didn't hear that but with Vickers and Caldwell leaving we need some tall guys. I was sorry to see Campbell leave us when he went to the Brumbies because it affected our depth, but now I'm not overjoyed to get him back.

I must admit that I didn't pick how soft a player he was when he was here.

If Byrnes is leaving Sydney too as I read in some thread here, our lineout is going to be poo next year. Watch the Reds lineout in 2009 with Simmons getting older, and Horwill, plus Byrnes as backup. It will be handy.

 

[formeropenside]

Hand got a few gigs at the Tahs last year from the bench IIRR with Vickers and Kanaar out, but didn't set the world on fire. He's like a second class Dean Mumm.

So Campbell's coming back to the Tahs? Didn't hear that but with Vickers and Caldwell leaving we need some tall guys. I was sorry to see Campbell leave us when he went to the Brumbies because it affected our depth, but now I'm not overjoyed to get him back.

I must admit that I didn't pick how soft a player he was when he was here.

If Byrnes is leaving Sydney too as I read in some thread here, our lineout is going to be poo next year. Watch the Reds lineout in 2009 with Simmons getting older, and Horwill, plus Byrnes as backup. It will be handy.

and if we can keep MMM on the park, thats three top-class jumpers. Mind you, Houston is not a jumper, and neither is Luafutu, really

 

[RugbyReg]

Reds Pack: 4 Byrnes; 5 Simmons; 6 Humphreys; 7 McMeniman; 8 Horwill. Solid lineout.

 

[the gambler]

and if you pinch Sharpe back from the Force you can put him at 13. With these new laws you need options.

 

[Lindommer]

OK, time out, this is a Tahs thread. All this other stuff should be posted elsewhere.

 

[AussieDominance]

Stand up Marty Wilson?

 

[Pfitzy]

I must admit that I didn't pick how soft a player he was when he was here.

This is the problem when someone is allowed to shine at a team like Uni - can hide in amongst the other talent against amateurs.

 

[naza]

Some fantastic news - Ratu Nasiganiyavi, the rampaging 120 kgs Randwick winger earning Lomu comparisons - has signed with the Tahs. ;D Interviewed on ABC TV just a minute ago, he indicated that his cousin Lote Tuqiri was a big factor in deciding on the Tahs. That's the best thing Lote's ever done for NSW !

2009 Super 14 title secured !