Waratahs 2011

[Rugbyrugbyrugby]

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.

Fair play mate but I can tell you your information is quite skewed, Scott Patterson was always behind Grayson Hart through the age group teams for Auckland and New Zealand and was even behind him at the Grammar Carlton club in the Auckland club comp, Patterson played reserves while Grayson led the premier side. Grayson didn't go to Northland, and Patterson never played ITM cup in NZ for anybody, hence him moving to the Canberra club competition. Grayson's time with Auckland came to an end because in 2009 he nursed his dying father at home throughout the season and it took a huge toll on his ability to train and perform at the level he was capable, Auckland did not stand by him through this even though they knew full well what he was going through. Grayson chose to move to Sydney for a fresh start and a chance to revitalize his young career, watch for him to make an impact for Southern Districts and push hard for a spot in the Waratahs for 2012

 

[Lee Grant]

Wow - thanks for telling us that about Grayson, 3R. It explains why he turned his back on the setup over there and also shows him in a favourable light.

PS - Welcome aboard.

 

[fatprop]

One can always hope that this is the last of a series of injuries that the young man will suffer but we won't be holding our collective breaths.

I hope they take a lot of time before bringing him back onto the park; a few weeks here or there will not signify in the long run.

As I have said before: it is ironic that the injury to this fine young player saw AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) move to 13 for the Wallabies, giving Beale his chance to start at 15. Such is life; but we need him back in the Wallaby stable and that means Horne having a healthy Super season.

At least it wasn't his hamstring again

 

[BrumbiesPolynesian]

Fair play mate but I can tell you your information is quite skewed, Scott Patterson was always behind Grayson Hart through the age group teams for Auckland and New Zealand and was even behind him at the Grammar Carlton club in the Auckland club comp, Patterson played reserves while Grayson led the premier side. Grayson didn't go to Northland, and Patterson never played ITM cup in NZ for anybody, hence him moving to the Canberra club competition. Grayson's time with Auckland came to an end because in 2009 he nursed his dying father at home throughout the season and it took a huge toll on his ability to train and perform at the level he was capable, Auckland did not stand by him through this even though they knew full well what he was going through. Grayson chose to move to Sydney for a fresh start and a chance to revitalize his young career, watch for him to make an impact for Southern Districts and push hard for a spot in the Waratahs for 2012

Fair play mate, Im pretty sure when watching a few games whilst in Auckland, mainly Grammar Carlton vs Ponsonby and University, Hart was playing Reserve Grade and Patterson was playing Top side and was also the Goal Kicker on those days....that was in 09 whilst on holiday in NZ. And wasnt Hart loaned to Northland due to lack of game time at Club and provinicial level in 08 or 09?

 

[Rugbyrugbyrugby]

Wow - thanks for telling us that about Grayson, 3R. It explains why he turned his back on the setup over there and also shows him in a favourable light.

PS - Welcome aboard.

No problem, I've always been a close follower of Grayson as I am quite close with the Hart family - I can tell you they are incredibly excited about Grayson playing in NSW. In 2009 when he made a handful of appearances for the Blues he was nipping at the heels of Taniela Moa for a starting spot (all the while only being a Wider Squad member). He is back to his best and thanks to some sevens over the summer is in the best shape of his career, it is a huge year for the young fella and an amazing opportunity to be part of a good club and the Waratahs set up while they are seemingly on the lookout for at least one new half for 2012.

Thanks alot, very keen to keep in the loop of whats going on with NSW rugby!

 

[Rugbyrugbyrugby]

Fair play mate, Im pretty sure when watching a few games whilst in Auckland, mainly Grammar Carlton vs Ponsonby and University, Hart was playing Reserve Grade and Patterson was playing Top side and was also the Goal Kicker on those days....that was in 09 whilst on holiday in NZ. And wasnt Hart loaned to Northland due to lack of game time at Club and provinicial level in 08 or 09?

I think Scott may have started one game when Grayson was injured in 2009, but they are VERY similar looking so you may have mistaken them, Grayson is also a goal kicker. He was loaned to North Harbour in 2010 after Auckland failed to stick by him through his hardship.

 

[DPK]

Horne nearing Waratahs return
ESPNscrum Staff
January 27, 2011

Rob Horne is nearing a comeback © Getty Images

Rob Horne is on the comeback trail after being given clearance to resume contact training with the Waratahs prior to the new Super Rugby season.

The 21-year-old Wallabies centre has been out of action since suffering an elbow injury in their 49-28 loss to the All Blacks in Melbourne on July 31 last year.

A specialist has given the midfielder the all clear to get back on the field however and Tahs coach Chris Hickey believes that he could make a comeback in their trial game against the Western Force on February 10.

"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 AAP. "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."

The Waratahs begin their Super Rugby campaign against the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park on February 18.

 

[Hawko]

Waratahs have 6729 current members, according to the Waratah site. Should be plenty of good seats empty unless that changes soon.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

I think there are different types of membership. You can't buy tickets between the 22m lines, they are reserved for members. I applied for one and it's a 2 year wait.

 

[Ishmael]

I don't think the Tahs have problems with memberships. Me and my mates went to several games last season and the only tickets we could afford were basically at ground level, behind the goal line. We wanted to go to more games but could only realistically afford 2 or 3. Sure, we're poverty-stricken students, and also spent ridiculous amounts of money on beer, but even so, just to get into the game carries a hefty price tag. Every time we went the ground was pretty full and as long as the Tahs were doing well there was plenty of noise. At the Bulls game a while back it was like a cemetery though.

On Rob Horne, I have a terrible feeling he's going to be another Cam Shepherd. I dearly hope he's just had a terribly unlucky run of injuries that he'll get through eventually, but the simple fact is that some bodies can stand up to the constant physical demands of pro rugby (see G. Smith or P. Waugh) and there are some that can't (see Cam Shepherd or MMM) The guy has the potential to be a true great. Not only does he have speed and incredible footwork, and the ability to make ground after making contact, but he hits like a freight train. His lanky frame belies his size and strength. But my gut feeling is he's just isn't built quite right.

 

[inthestands]

On Rob Horne, I have a terrible feeling he's going to be another Cam Shepherd.

Interesting... Shepherd has played 67 Super games since debuting in 2004. That's out of 89 matches or 75%. Horne is 30 out of 39 since his debut which is 77%... pretty close!

I guess in Super Rugby Horne has missed his nine in probably three blocks of three games (roughly), whereas Shepherd has had some really long term ones. Makes you realise Shep's potential to be at the level he is with so many long term injuries.

 

[Lee Grant]

It is certainly sad to watch old recordings of Cam Shepherd playing S14 rugby and running at top pace. One hopes that we won't be saying the same about Rob Horne when he is the same age.

A big sigh comes out thinking about Ben Tune too, doesn't it?

 

[en_force_er]

It is certainly sad to watch old recordings of Cam Shepherd playing S14 rugby and running at top pace. One hopes that we won't be saying the same about Rob Horne when he is the same age.

A big sigh comes out thinking about Ben Tune too, doesn't it?

Ben Tune was fortunate to be able to put a good WC contribution in between all his injuries which is something Shep and Horne could potentially do, but may never get the chance. This is one of the reasons why Tune will rightfully go down as a legend, whilst Shep and Horne still have question marks.

This kind of injury plagued player really is a ticking time-bomb, you just hope that the inevitable injuries don't come at inopportune times. The jury is still out if Horne is a "time-bomb" though.

 

[Groucho]

The jury is still out if Horne is a "time-bomb" though.

Yes, he's only 21. In five years we'll know if he's a Shep-style crock or has simply been unlucky with injuries.

 

[observer]

Only 21.....he seems to have been around for years.

 

[fatprop]

Tahs PR boys are out and pushing the attack meme on the public

Star-studded Tahs primed to go on offensive against Fijians
Josh Rakic
January 30, 2011

''WE WILL still maintain a strong attacking focus.'' The words of Waratahs coach Chris Hickey should be music to the ears of NSW fans as the Tahs prepare to launch their 2011 season with the first of two trial matches on Friday.

But for centre Rob Horne's absence, Hickey will unveil a full-strength, star-studded side for the Fiji clash at Sydney Football Stadium.

And he has warned rivals that the Tahs are stronger, fitter and more cohesive than ever as they prepare for the rejuvenated Super 15 season, starting in three weeks with a road trip to take on the fledgling Melbourne Rebels in round one. ''When you review your season you find a number of areas you need to improve on and you can't be happy to stand still,'' Hickey told The Sun-Herald.
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''And even though we were happy with our attacking game last year and I think we scored more tries than has ever been scored by the Waratahs, and we finished second on the try-scoring list, there are still areas that we have identified where we can improve.

''We will be very focused on improving our attacking game. But in order to have those opportunities, there are other factors that need to be better - scrums, line-outs, kick-offs, retaining the ball at the breakdown. They are what give you attacking opportunities.''

Hickey is expected to name his best possible starting 15 for the trial, including his entire Wallabies contingent and the returning Wycliff Palu.

''I though that all our guys on the spring tour played some impressive football,'' Hickey said. ''And some of those combinations will really work for us, having been fine-tuned with the Wallabies.

''Kurtley Beale - his form was outstanding and on the back of that I think he should move into the Super rugby season with a lot of confidence. His combination with Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner at the back will be an important one from our attacking point of view.

''With two trials and preparing for the first competition game, you have to use them as practice games. So we have combinations we think will work and we might start with those combinations.

''It might change through the games, but it's very important to get things right early. From last year there are some combinations we saw that we feel worked well and, with only two trials, we'll be getting them back up to scratch.''

And with Daniel Halangahu, Berrick Barnes, Tom Carter and Ryan Cross all battling for playmaking positions, Hickey said the Tahs were in the best pre-season position they had ever been in under his tenure.

''I think we've handled the transition of the Wallabies guys back into the squad a lot better this year, and in terms of preparation we're a couple of weeks ahead compared to this time last year,'' he said.

''And a lot of that credit goes to the players, because they did some real work during that six-week break.

''Physicality and our power game are areas where we've made significant process. We identified at the end of last season that it was an area we wanted to target and the players have made some really good gains. We feel we are well prepared to deal with the physicality of the bigger teams.''

and

Run and gun: Drew warns rivals
Josh Rakic
January 30, 2011

Running game ... Waratahs skipper Phil Waugh will be hoping his backline stars can form a lethal combination in this year's Super Rugby tournament.

Running game ... Waratahs skipper Phil Waugh will be hoping his backline stars can form a lethal combination in this year's Super Rugby tournament. Photo: Anthony Johnson

WARATAHS star Drew Mitchell has sent an ominous warning to Super Rugby rivals as the NSW franchise prepares for its first trial match on Friday, declaring the Tahs' attack will be even deadlier than during their red-hot run of late 2010.

With their first full season and a successful Wallabies campaign behind them, Mitchell, Berrick Barnes, Kurtley Beale and Lachie Turner are better positioned than ever to light up the field for the Tahs. Mitchell declared their confidence was sky high.

''We all took a lot of confidence from that tour and on top of the Waratahs last year, I think as a back line we're more in tune than ever before,'' said Mitchell, who bounced back from being cut from the Wallabies to become one of their best on the spring tour after his first season in NSW's sky blue.
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''Hopefully the Waratahs' attack can build off the back of the Wallabies last year, and I think it can. Berrick got his chance against the French, and Kurtley, I mean, he was nominated in the IRB awards. Lachie Turner - when he got his start he went really well - and then Rob Horne is coming back from injury. We've got some options, too, with Ryan Cross and the like, then there's Hangers [Daniel Halangahu] and Tom Carter.''

The try-sneak said he was determined to continue on from last year, during which he was Super 14's top try-scorer.

''I'm feeling a lot more confident in my own ability and I feel there is a little more certainty as to where I fit in the team now,'' Mitchell said.

''Whenever you go to a new team there's always that uncertainty as to where you sit in terms of the dynamics of the team.

''I feel as though I'm a lot more comfortable in the environment this year than I was at this stage last year. And that then brings confidence.

''I'm feeling pretty good and the season has almost crept up on us and we're playing in a few weeks, which is a bit of a relief.''

He and his fellow Waratahs backs are enjoying a special leg-up: they are training with sprinter and Olympian Matt Shirvington in an effort to perfect their techniques and enhance their speed off the mark.

''Sprint training with Shirvo has been a good way to catch up to the boys who've had a bigger pre-season than us,'' Mitchell said. ''He's helping out with our technique and activating all the right muscles.

''For me, the one thing I get in trouble with is straining my hamstrings when I'm not activating glutes. My hammies take the whole load. We're are refining our technique [so that] under fatigue and duress our automatic body position goes to the correct one rather than getting sloppy.''

With a World Cup berth beckoning, Mitchell said there was no room for short cuts or laziness. Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has insisted that performances and not surnames win gold jerseys.

''Everyone just seems to have a bit of a bounce in their step - there's that extra motivation for everyone to better themselves and try and win a spot,'' Mitchell said.

''You can see at training that guys are going at each other and it's going to come down to whoever performs in the trials and matches.

''It's time to dig deep for the Waratahs and the Wallabies, but most importantly we can't focus too much on the World Cup yet because you can get caught in the position of putting so much pressure on yourself to perform for the Waratahs that you overplay your hand.

''And one thing I've come to learn from experience is you can't have too far of a look down the track because you start overlooking things in the short term that will in turn hurt you in the future.

''The key is to perform for the Waratahs first and foremost and the rest will take care of itself.''

The forwards are not doing things by half measures, either.

''I don't think I've ever seen a scrap in the backs, I think there's just an unwritten rule about that. But we often quite like looking up at the mauling sessions and seeing tempers flare. You see a few scraps at training.''

 

[TOCC]

^^ probably trying to get the membership sales ticking over, i thought it was strange that there membership/expectation was lower then that of the Reds and Rebels

 

[Groucho]

Daniel Halangahu, Berrick Barnes, Tom Carter and Ryan Cross all battling for playmaking positions,

:nta:

 

[fatprop]

^^ probably trying to get the membership sales ticking over, i thought it was strange that there membership/expectation was lower then that of the Reds and Rebels

They have to try to get supporters, players and media to remember the rugby they played against the Hurricanes as the goal for the team and not the dross they played against the Brumbies

 

[#1 Tah]

:nta:

I would love to see Tom Carter play a game at 10.

But I have a feeling that Josh Rakic is talking about the 10/12 combo.