Waratahs 2011

[waratahjesus]

Or maybe coming up with a really naff song sung by a band that noone had really heard of and then getting a bunch of teenagers who cant hit a not to stand outside the stadium and annoy all the spectators as they arrived for the game.

Or alternatively, get one of your sponsors to produce some crappy plastic merchandise (that has probably caused it bit of environmental damage in its production) and again annoy the crap out of spectators as they arrive who then grab one of these banner things in the faint hope they might win some cash at half time.

I am sounding more and more like a grumpy old git every day. And loving it

there are two words that will bring the people back, Saddle Rash, that is all.

 

[Hawko]

LG, I don't have a high regard for Barry Fa'amausili. Certainly talented and big enough, but doesn't do the work and has a bit of an attitude problem, or at least he did when he was at Uni Colts a few years ago. Dan Roach at Easts looks OK, and has had a bit of experience in Europe. I am not sure who else is around, all the good ones in grade rugby already have contracts of one sort or another. I suspect it would have to be a young bloke ready to take the step up.
I am also informed (although not confirmed by the man himself) that Jeremy Tilse has been given a 2 year contract by the tahs.

On another matter, I am not sure Will Caldwell will be around next year. He hasn't played for a few months now and there is no word of a comeback.
Hangers has a serioius shoulder injury and may not play again this year. Phil Waugh sustained a knee injury against Easts last week and may be out for 6-8 weeks. Dan Vickerman probably won't play for Uni this year as he also has an injury, but there is a good chance he will be back next year.

I am starting to believe that there is a serious problem with the attrition rate of our top players. Our number one Aussie pack has been decimated, now Baxtah, Hangers and Phil are crocked and Vickerman too. Your news on Caldwell is scary, he's the sort of tough nut every pack needs. Does anyone have any theories why the injuries have been so serious and frequent this year?

 

[Hawko]

there are two words that will bring the people back, Saddle Rash, that is all.

I need a translation, this one is all swahili to me.

 

[RugbyReg]

I reckon we could have done with Al Kanaar this year too.

You speak of injuries though, I was trying to come up with the best Wallaby backline and, being a biased Red, had a lot of QLDers in there, but they aint available:

15 Hynes - just back from injury
14 Davies - injured
13 Chambers - injured
12 Fainga'a - injured
11 Ioane - injured
10 Cooper - thank christ!
9 Genia - injured.

 

[TheRiddler]

I reckon we could have done with Al Kanaar this year too.

You speak of injuries though, I was trying to come up with the best Wallaby backline and, being a biased Red, had a lot of QLDers in there, but they aint available:

15 Hynes - just back from injury
14 Davies - injured
13 Chambers - injured
12 Fainga'a - injured
11 Ioane - injured
10 Cooper - thank christ!
9 Genia - injured.

Bloody hell, those banjo players hijacking a NSW thread again?! Tschsss!!

 

[#1 Tah]

Or maybe coming up with a really naff song sung by a band that noone had really heard of and then getting a bunch of teenagers who cant hit a not to stand outside the stadium and annoy all the spectators as they arrived for the game.

Or alternatively, get one of your sponsors to produce some crappy plastic merchandise (that has probably caused it bit of environmental damage in its production) and again annoy the crap out of spectators as they arrive who then grab one of these banner things in the faint hope they might win some cash at half time.

I am sounding more and more like a grumpy old git every day. And loving it

Welcome to the grumpies.......

They could cut out the stupid rock music at every stop in play.

You guys are sooo pesimistic?

srsly?

that song was gold and is most played on my ipod. and at least we dont have vuvuzelas! the rock music during the break is fine, would you rather sit with 24,999 other dead-silent sydney fans?

When i get to the ground with my gf, we give the banner girls some cash and ask them to flash us! and we rave to the music! In QLD they and display them on the screen and read the reason of the penalties (for those who cant read) during the breaks. but it works, because qlders know how to create an atmosphere.

 

[Lee Grant]

I am also informed (although not confirmed by the man himself) that Jeremy Tilse has been given a 2 year contract by the tahs.

On another matter, I am not sure Will Caldwell will be around next year. He hasn't played for a few months now and there is no word of a comeback.

Tilse makes sense, because he looked OK when he got a chance towards the end of the 2010 S14, but so much for my 3 rookies theory. They'll still have get a THP for the academy or is Tilse up to playing THP at a pinch in the S15 do you think? By the way: how has Ryan's work been for Uni to date this year?

Bad news for Caldwell - and all the more reason why Peterson should be signed. Have you heard any whispers about him?

If Caldwell is out maybe the rumour about Timani signing is true. I don't know why this big athletic guy hasn't made it in the last few years at the Force and Brumbies, but he was dynamite for the Rats team a couple of years ago.

.

 

[Langthorne]

On the injury/rotation policy issue.

I think they are related. It is not good enough for the coach to keep playing the same players until they are exhausted or injured. Players are bigger and faster than ever, yet they are playing more games than ever, and it is very difficult to strengthen joints, bones or heads in response to the bigger impacts. A sensible rotation policy is essential for the well being of the players and the chances of the team. If done judiciously, it will also ensure that the whole squad is used (they are being paid, so why not use them?), that the top players are more likely to be fit when needed most, that the younger players get s15 experience and exposure, and that all the players are at least somewhat prepared to step up should injuries occur.

 

[#1 Tah]

In relation to Sekope Kepu, somthing tells me he wouldnt go badly as an openside. simply a gut feeling.
but then again, imagine a back row of Kepu, Palu, Polota-Nau

I just scared myself.

 

[topo]

Tilse makes sense, because he looked OK when he got a chance towards the end of the 2010 S14, but so much for my 3 rookies theory. They'll still have get a THP for the academy or is Tilse up to playing THP at a pinch in the S15 do you think? By the way: how has Ryan's work been for Uni to date this year?

Bad news for Caldwell - and all the more reason why Peterson should be signed. Have you heard any whispers about him?

If Caldwell is out maybe the rumour about Timani signing is true. I don't know why this big athletic guy hasn't made it in the last few years at the Force and Brumbies, but he was dynamite for the Rats team a couple of years ago.

.

Tilse could certainly play THP if needed. That's where he has been playing for Uni the last couple of years since Jerry Yanuyanu started playing LHP. Having said that I think he prefers LHP and scrums better there.
Ryan's been going OK. He kept Tilse in 2s for a couple of weeks and then Jerry for a couple of weeks but now it's his turn to play 2s with Jerry and Tilsey starting in 1s. He has been getting some time off the bench, although injured a shoulder last week against Penrith and came off early. I'm not sure how serious it is. It's hard to tell how well he's scrummaging in 2s, but he looked pretty good when he was in 1s. It's a tough call between those 3 guys. Similarly with Roberts and Charles at hooker and Jono Jenkins at breakaway. They are good players to be playing 2s.
Haven't heard anything about signing Petersen, but logic suggests they are going to need some good 2nd rowers.

 

[Ash]

In relation to Sekope Kepu, somthing tells me he wouldnt go badly as an openside. simply a gut feeling.
but then again, imagine a back row of Kepu, Palu, Polota-Nau

I just scared myself.

Yeah agree, Kepu wouldn't be bad at openside - he'd be completely awful. Mobility and workrate too low for an openside, fitness too low, body frame too big to even get the required mobility and speed, has not shown the linking skills required, and does not possess the scavenging skills. In other words, he'd be a slower Phil Waugh but without the scavenging skills. Kepu's a prop for a reason, leave him there. Opensides are a specialist breed and are generally the smallest and fittest forwards for a very very good reason. It's a hard position to play very very well.

The backrow you stated wouldn't work as there isn't a real lineout option in those three - only Palu, a part-time jumper. And the workrate and slowness from Kepu would mean you are effectively playing a flanker down. That combination is very unbalanced.

 

[Eyes and Ears]

I couldn't agree more with you - Kepu hasn't yet proved he is a S14 quality prop.

 

[fatprop]

Yeah Kepu is a fat kiwi backrower converted to prop, but was never an openside

 

[cyclopath]

What is actually wrong with Caldwell?

 

[#1 Tah]

What is actually wrong with Caldwell?

After the Tahs trip to the republic in 09, he was diagnosed with stomach ulsers and couldnt eat and lost about 20-30 kilos.
In 2010, he successfully returned to footy, slowly regaining his lost strength, until he got a hamstring strain in the match V Brumbies.

 

[tranquility]

I think you might find that Andrew Shaw will end up at the Tahs in 2011 in an pro academy position.

How has he been going in the Sydney club comp?

 

[Lee Grant]

After the Tahs trip to the republic in 09, he was diagnosed with stomach ulsers and couldnt eat and lost about 20-30 kilos.
In 2010, he successfully returned to footy, slowly regaining his lost strength, until he got a hamstring strain in the match V Brumbies.

He actually had Crohn's disease which causes painful inflammation in the intestines. Sounds like he still has it. I've just goggled it and it doesn't sound like a lot of fun.

 

[Lindommer]

What is actually wrong with Caldwell?

Had a dose of Chron's disease in late 2009. Bloody awful condition, bloke deserves a medal for his preformances this year.

Check it out on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crohn's_disease

 

[Ash]

Sadly, I can't see Caldwell ever returning to full fitness or form is he has a chronic case of Chron's disease. I remember seeing the affect it had on Mike McCready (Pearl Jam lead guitarist), and seeing it highlighted in a documentary with them (although he also had a few other substance abuse problems at times). Being basically uncurable, he suffered every tour and I'd imagine a season of pro rugby would be way harder than touring with a band.

 

[topo]

Yep, my understanding is that it is Crohns and that he has had another flare up. As LG says it is an inflammation of the intestines and tends to come and go. Like a lot of these inflammatory diseases it can come and go and it is possible to have fairly lengthy periods without problems. However it would really knock an elite sportsman around. Especially one trying to maintain protein intake and build muscle mass. It's not necessarily the end of big time footy for him, but it's a big setback. And you wouldn't be able to rely on him lasting a long season.