The odds are greatly against the kids, and I'm sure that they know it. Bruce mentioned a figure of $1,500 but topo mentioned last year that the JW "professionals" got $5,000, but maybe that was the maximum. As lily reported last year some players don't accept the offer of a pro academy spot because they need a real job, and it certainly rings true.
Then there's others who don't get paid anything. Conventional wisdom would have it that if they weren't good enough to be approached by a Super team for a pro academy (now called by the Tahs "Super Rugby Training Group") spot that they are wasting their time, but you can't blame them for pursuing a dream. Besides they can learn a lot to take back for their club games.
The blow ins from overseas are the ones we have to take stock of if they are serious about living in Oz. If Graydon Hart is good enough to play Super rugby for the Blues we can't afford to turn up our noses at him. Nor as a rugby country struggling for depth, can we ignore the merits of prop Ruan Smith who has played for 2007 Oz A Schools, 2008 South African Schools, 2009 WP U/19, and 2010 WP U/21 teams. He turned 21 yesterday, is now back in Australia, and showed up at the Rebels.
Bruce
I thought you might have taken issue with TOCC's contention that anybody could get a professional for free when, in that case, they would be amateurs.
The odds are greatly against the kids, and I'm sure that they know it. Bruce mentioned a figure of $1,500 but topo mentioned last year that the JW "professionals" got $5,000, but maybe that was the maximum. As lily reported last year some players don't accept the offer of a pro academy spot because they need a real job, and it certainly rings true.
Then there's others who don't get paid anything. Conventional wisdom would have it that if they weren't good enough to be approached by a Super team for a pro academy (now called by the Tahs "Super Rugby Training Group") spot that they are wasting their time, but you can't blame them for pursuing a dream. Besides they can learn a lot to take back for their club games.
The blow ins from overseas are the ones we have to take stock of if they are serious about living in Oz. If Graydon Hart is good enough to play Super rugby for the Blues we can't afford to turn up our noses at him. Nor as a rugby country struggling for depth, can we ignore the merits of prop Ruan Smith who has played for 2007 Oz A Schools, 2008 South African Schools, 2009 WP U/19, and 2010 WP U/21 teams. He turned 21 yesterday, is now back in Australia, and showed up at the Rebels.
Bruce
I thought you might have taken issue with TOCC's contention that anybody could get a professional for free when, in that case, they would be amateurs.
I was close - I got the 3 zeros at the end right. No doubt I will forget this reminder also.Actually the figure I quoted was $10,000-$15,000 for a pro academy spot which I think is still what they are getting.
as far as i know horne is fit (being that he told me he was going to play a couple of weeks ago when i ran into him.)
Please WJ, don't give him any more injuries!
Rob Horne fit for Waratahs trial
David Beniuk
January 27, 2011 - 3:46PM
Injured Wallabies centre Rob Horne could be ready to play as soon as the NSW Waratahs' second trial match in two weeks' time.
Horne has been given the all-clear by a specialist to resume contact training after suffering an elbow injury that had threatened his pre-World Cup Super Rugby season.
Waratahs coach Chris Hickey says Horne could turn out in the second of two trials, against the Western Force in Nowra on February 10.
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"He saw the specialist on Friday and he's been given a clearance from the specialist to start contact training so he'll start contact training this week," Hickey told reporters.
"Assuming that goes well then he'd be a chance of perhaps playing in the Force trial.
"Obviously we're just going to have to see how the elbow progresses through contact."
NSW's first trial match is against Fiji at the Sydney Football Stadium on February 4.
They play new franchise the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park in round one of the Super Rugby competition on February 18.
AS good a halfback as Grayson Hart is, there is a halfback playing in Canberra for Royals who forced Hart to move to Northland a few seasons ago due to him not being picked as 1st choice Halfback @ Club Level. I think if Waratahs are serious about a halfback replacement, I think they should look at Scott Patterson. He is good enough from what I have seen to play a higher level...best pass in my opinion in the club comp, and played most of the season with a crook shoulder which was operated on in the off season...good enough to attract interest from the NZ Warriors also. I hope Brumbies pick Patterson up, he and Nic White of our Whites could be the future for the Brumbies.