Ruggo
Mark Ella (57)
Mooney making him captain was a masterstroke. He was a loose cannon up until that point. Howill was pretty friggin aggresive against the Brumbies in the trial.
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Mooney making him captain was a masterstroke. He was a loose cannon up until that point. Howill was pretty friggin aggresive against the Brumbies in the trial.
kiap
Steve Williams (59)
Nah, Dan Vickerman didn't play against Leinster (or many other games for the Saints) ... But he is aiming to join the Waratahs and might get a couple of runs with them.
Waratahs placing stock in Dan Vickerman's return in the lead up to Super Rugby finals series
* By Darren Walton
* AAP
* May 22, 2011 2:56PM
Former Wallabies lock Dan Vickerman is waiting in the wings and ready for a timely Super Rugby comeback in a major boost to the Waratahs' playoff hopes. Vickerman has spent the past three years studying economics at Cambridge University, but is due to return home to Australia in the next two weeks.
The fifth-placed Waratahs left for South Africa for pivotal games against the Sharks and Bulls, after climbing to fifth spot with a 29-12 bonus-point victory over the Lions. Coach Chris Hickey was targeting at least one win in South Africa to ensure the Waratahs retained control of their finals destiny, and hoping Vickerman's impending return would lift the side.
"We're expecting to see Dan Vickerman the week we get back from South Africa," Hickey said. "Given our injury situation, it's pretty handy to have him come back into the squad. "He's pretty fit, he's in good shape, so he'll certainly be an option for us once we return from South Africa."
A veteran of two World Cup campaigns and 52 Tests for Australia, 31-year-old Vickerman has been playing for Northampton in the Heineken Cup for the past two seasons.
"Pete McDonald, our strength and conditioning coach, has been in touch with him and all reports are that he's fit and healthy and ready to go,'' Hickey said. "It's certainly a bonus for us at this point of the season.''
...
http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/s...by-finals-series/story-e6frf4qu-1226060535924
Waratahs placing stock in Dan Vickerman's return in the lead up to Super Rugby finals series
* By Darren Walton
* AAP
* May 22, 2011 2:56PM
Former Wallabies lock Dan Vickerman is waiting in the wings and ready for a timely Super Rugby comeback in a major boost to the Waratahs' playoff hopes. Vickerman has spent the past three years studying economics at Cambridge University, but is due to return home to Australia in the next two weeks.
The fifth-placed Waratahs left for South Africa for pivotal games against the Sharks and Bulls, after climbing to fifth spot with a 29-12 bonus-point victory over the Lions. Coach Chris Hickey was targeting at least one win in South Africa to ensure the Waratahs retained control of their finals destiny, and hoping Vickerman's impending return would lift the side.
"We're expecting to see Dan Vickerman the week we get back from South Africa," Hickey said. "Given our injury situation, it's pretty handy to have him come back into the squad. "He's pretty fit, he's in good shape, so he'll certainly be an option for us once we return from South Africa."
A veteran of two World Cup campaigns and 52 Tests for Australia, 31-year-old Vickerman has been playing for Northampton in the Heineken Cup for the past two seasons.
"Pete McDonald, our strength and conditioning coach, has been in touch with him and all reports are that he's fit and healthy and ready to go,'' Hickey said. "It's certainly a bonus for us at this point of the season.''
...
http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/s...by-finals-series/story-e6frf4qu-1226060535924
tigerland12
John Thornett (49)
He only played 4 games for Northampton? How could he be anywhere near ready to play Super Rugby. Put him into club rugby for a few weeks.
Blue
Andrew Slack (58)
He was pretty anonymous and terribly slow.
How many games should a player coming back from injury play in club rugby each time?
Doesn't it come down down to the individuals fitness? The guy is a true pro who seemed to able to cope comfortably with running out with Northampton without playing club rugby
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
I heard he had a leg problem and was getting cold feet (not physically) about this year, but it looks like that info is bunk.
The article paints a rosy picture, as articles do, but he played only 3 games for Saints when Lawes was injured, two of which I saw. The commentators mentioned he had played an A game for them the week before his first 1st XV match also. Maybe he played some for Cambridge Uni too.
He did OK for a guy who was missing from pro rugby for so long and I thought he would go OK next year after a full pre-season. It would be a big ask for him to play for the Tahs this year, but if they come back from the RSA no longer contenders, as will likely be the case, he could get a run in the last two games. It is more likely that he will be playing for Sydney Uni as he will be welcome there with all their Super players still not available.
The article paints a rosy picture, as articles do, but he played only 3 games for Saints when Lawes was injured, two of which I saw. The commentators mentioned he had played an A game for them the week before his first 1st XV match also. Maybe he played some for Cambridge Uni too.
He did OK for a guy who was missing from pro rugby for so long and I thought he would go OK next year after a full pre-season. It would be a big ask for him to play for the Tahs this year, but if they come back from the RSA no longer contenders, as will likely be the case, he could get a run in the last two games. It is more likely that he will be playing for Sydney Uni as he will be welcome there with all their Super players still not available.
tigerland12
John Thornett (49)
I'm talking about game time, not injury. He has played a couple of games for Northampton and a couple for Cambridge over 2/3 years. I know he USED to be one of the best locks in World Rugby, but he needs a lot more game time before considered for Super Rugby, let alone the WC.
The fact people are mentioning him as the possible 4th lock spot for the WC is a bit naive, considering the form players like Hugh Pyle and Sam Wykes are in. That being said, if he can get into the Waratah's side and play well, I would personally love to see him for the Wallabies again
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