Gnostic
Mark Ella (57)
I'd like to see Inman blossom, IMO he has huge potential and a pairing of him and Horne could be deadly with somebody like Tapuai of the bench.
Waratahs 2012
- Thread starter Lee Grant
- Start date
- Status
W
What2040
Guest
Is Damian Fitzpatrick fit and ready for 2012. Guy has immense talent but got struck with some injury in 2011.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Yeah, he seemed to be healthy enough for the Sydney club champions, Eastwood, and also seemed to be playing with a harder edge too; though it's hard to tell at that level.
I thought that last year would be his year, but it wasn't to be. When TPN was first injured he started the game against the Brumbies in Canberra and did well enough though he missed one tackle that I recall and threw one ball to the lineout too low which meant it was also too short.
But then TPN came back and he was on the bench again. TPN was hurt a second time, more seriously, but by that time Kirkpatrick was injured also; so Ulugia started with Roberts or Elvis on the bench. That was a missed opportunity for Fitzpatrick but a good one for Ulugia.
So he has started in just one game for the Tahs. Let's hope that he stays healthy this year so that we can have a good look at him.
I thought that last year would be his year, but it wasn't to be. When TPN was first injured he started the game against the Brumbies in Canberra and did well enough though he missed one tackle that I recall and threw one ball to the lineout too low which meant it was also too short.
But then TPN came back and he was on the bench again. TPN was hurt a second time, more seriously, but by that time Kirkpatrick was injured also; so Ulugia started with Roberts or Elvis on the bench. That was a missed opportunity for Fitzpatrick but a good one for Ulugia.
So he has started in just one game for the Tahs. Let's hope that he stays healthy this year so that we can have a good look at him.
T
TOCC
Guest
Its a shame KB (Kurtley Beale) didn't stay in NSW.. I would have enjoyed watching a backline with this:
10. Barnes
11. Turner
12. Horne
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Mitchell
15. KB (Kurtley Beale)
Only Digby shy of been a good looking Wallaby backline..
10. Barnes
11. Turner
12. Horne
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Mitchell
15. KB (Kurtley Beale)
Only Digby shy of been a good looking Wallaby backline..
Prodigy
Ron Walden (29)
I'm not sure Robbie Deans would have been too unhappy with that backline.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
We are going to miss KB (Kurtley Beale) big time. His X factor on attack was fairly obvious but watching some of the Tahs games from last year recently, makes you realise that he had a bit of X factor in cleaning up also. He made his share of mistakes including some dumb kicks and the odd miracle off-load that didn't work, but he's a game breaker, which the Tahs are short of.
Burgess will be a big loss also, warts and all - and I wish we still had Mowen. He's another one that comes up well in replays. [And not to the point of the Tahs, but his lineout expertise for the Brumbies will counter the fact that no.8 Vaea is not a jumper.]
Burgess will be a big loss also, warts and all - and I wish we still had Mowen. He's another one that comes up well in replays. [And not to the point of the Tahs, but his lineout expertise for the Brumbies will counter the fact that no.8 Vaea is not a jumper.]
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Its January - the Tahs always look "scarily strong" in January
suckerforred
Chilla Wilson (44)
Goes for most of the Tahs doesn't it?
You must have been eavesdropping on me yesterday when I was discussing the Tahs with Cote, Lance and Cat at lunch. These 3 players were the ones I nominated as the biggest holes to fill.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
I havent seen enough of him
T
TOCC
Guest
no id personally like to see him at 13 as well, everyone just seems adamant his gonna be playing at 12
T
tranquility
Guest
I would prefer he stay at 13 as well. However he would make a good fist of either position. They way he straightened the backline in the pool match of the world cup was very encouraging. However I like what he does with ball in hand from the 13 channel when he cuts back on the inside shoulder of the opposing 13 and thus creates room for those outside either on that phase or the next (on the back of a dominant carry and quick ruck). My fingers are crossed that his badluck is all but gone.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
I still remember vividly when he came on off the bench against the Bulls in 2010, I think he was playing wing but anyway he broke the line, was strong in contact in the next tackle, got his arms free and gave a sublime offload to Mitchell outside him to put him over.. It was a textbook 13 play.
If he plays 12, the contact part of his defense would be the same but you'd lose all the excellent defensive decisions he makes at 13 to shut down attacks. He could do a crash ball but I'd rather he get given more room where he can use his explosiveness to break tackles and set-up the wingers with an offload or pass.
If he plays 12, the contact part of his defense would be the same but you'd lose all the excellent defensive decisions he makes at 13 to shut down attacks. He could do a crash ball but I'd rather he get given more room where he can use his explosiveness to break tackles and set-up the wingers with an offload or pass.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Name dropper.
He he!
Swat
Chilla Wilson (44)
Well said. Also, don't underestimate his foot speed and stepping ability. This is why I love him as a 13, he runs good lines hard but can still step to get around players, something you don't see too often from international 13's with most relying on a good fend and running angles.
T
TOCC
Guest
Not suggesting he is a replica or as good, but his style of play reminds me of Brian O'Driscoll somewhat
- Status