Waratahs 2012

[darkhorse]

On reflection you are probably right fatprop. He was very good playing 12 on Friday night, and whilst that is not to the point of playing fullback, it answers well a question about whether he can take his ability to different positions. Yes he can.

I think he will be a happy discovery for Tahs fans following his progress throughout the season. He should get a lot of time too. A fellow who can play so many positions to the manor born is very handy to have on the bench if a coach wants a 5/2 split. Maybe he won't play on the wing if there an injury there but usually others can move to that spot so that Foley can play in theirs.
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Didn't Foley play fullback for Uni whilst Barnes was playing 10? Or was it the other way around? Genuine question.

 

[fatprop]

Didn't Foley play fullback for Uni whilst Barnes was playing 10? Or was it the other way around? Genuine question.

yep, both, when Barnes came back from his head knocks, Barnes played 15 & Foley 10.

As Barnes gained confidence, they swapped

 

[Ash]

What about Kingston for a wing spot? Assuming Horne plays oc and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) plays fb,TK would move to wing. Trist is as good at fb as wing and could reliably cover both.

I always thought of Trist (in my limited viewings of him) as more of a fullback than a winger, myself. Hence, I would have thought that Trist would be fullback cover from the EPS.

Thought Hangers would've gotten more of a mention for a fullback as well. He might not be the most dynamic fullback, but he has quite a bit of experience there (much more than BKH, say) and could be a settler if needed, and allow AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to go to the wing where I think AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is more effective.

 

[spectator]

Funny that Betham is not really considered a fullback option at all as that's where I remember him featuring a lot as a schools player.

 

[mjw]

Funny that Betham is not really considered a fullback option at all as that's where I remember him featuring a lot as a schools player.

I think it was mentioned that Betham is not part of the squad and was only there by invitation.

 

[lincoln]

I think it was mentioned that Betham is not part of the squad and was only there by invitation.

Unfortunately it would seem there is an unintended open position, and he could be a good candidate.

 

[AngrySeahorse]

I only just saw the Fox news alert which says at least 6 months on Lachie , extensive tendon damage, will undergo surgery Wed. Terrible news for Lachie & the Tahs.

 

[ShtinaTina]

Turner gone for the season, needs surgery.

Nooooooo. Not fair. Drew last year, Lachie this year. Give us a break.

 

[Lee Grant]

Didn't Foley play fullback for Uni whilst Barnes was playing 10? Or was it the other way around? Genuine question.

Yeah I said in an earlier post:
He [Foley], like Halangahu could play there, and has for Uni, but is not really a specialist.

I think it was mentioned that Betham is not part of the squad and was only there by invitation.

That's right: he is in what is called by some, to give it a name, the Wider Training Group (or WTG). This is a bunch of unpaid hopefuls which used to be called the "amateur academy" by some, because many were not long out of school, and it sounded right.

Not every good player is willing to offer themselves to do this: after a while one has to get serious about full time study or getting a real job.

It's not clear what the protocol is for players to move between the EPS, the group of 5 players funded by the ARU, and the main group of 30. Nor is it obvious how a player can come into the EPS from the WTG. Do they have to get a note of approval from the ARU first?

Even more obscure is how a player from outside the 35 can get into a matchday 22 in one move, but you could see a scenario wherein such a move would be needed. With the injuries they have, and let's say AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) gets crocked too, the Tahs would like to use, say, Fred Bloggs in Rd.1.

Bloggs is in his late 20s and has a real job. He is not interested in the amateur WTG nor in the EPS, which "pays bad" - he's been there and done that - but he is interested in being cherry picked from outside the group of 35 plus the WTG guys - in the hope of getting on the park.

I'm thinking not so much of Bloggs, who is over-rated IMO, but Ben Batger, an experienced club fullback who played on tour for the Tahs last year - if he is available. Or do the Tahs, first, have to look at players who are in the 35 who "can" play there and have done so for their clubs from time to time?
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[suckerforred]

Even more obscure is how a player from outside the 35 can get into a matchday 22 in one move, but you could see a scenario wherein such a move would be needed. With the injuries they have, and let's say AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) gets crocked too, the Tahs would like to use, say, Fred Bloggs in Rd.1.

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Lee, I respect you opinion and knowledge of the game enormously, but I hope that you were hanging on to a bloody big chunk of wood when you typed this. As much as I would love to see the Reds win in round 1, I would also like to see the run of injuries to the Tahs (and it appears the first string Wallabies) stop. This is getting a little ridiculous. Also some more information on Fred Bloggs would be appreciated for those who have not seen him play.

 

[qwerty51]

With the new squad size limits does the rule that if a player starts in 6 or more games they must be given a full contract salary apply?

 

[Lee Grant]

Also some more information on Fred Bloggs would be appreciated for those who have not seen him play.

Bloggs was a fine fullback in the Narrabeen Tigers Under 8s in 1992. His career went downhill after that when he dedicated himself to surfing and computer games, but now that he has given up his dream of becoming a Playstation and X-Box tester, he could be available.

I always thought he would come good. This year could be his big chance though one hopes he doesn't cry anymore when he gets tackled..

 

[Lee Grant]

With the new squad size limits does the rule that if a player starts in 6 or more games they must be given a full contract salary apply?

I was going to ask this question myself, but until a new RUPA agreement gets published we punters are not going to find out. Will try to ask someone at Tahs training tomorrow.

I thought it used to be 3 games but your memory is probably better than mine.

 

[Jethro Tah]

Bloggs was a fine fullback in the Narrabeen Tigers Under 8s in 1992. His career went downhill after that when he dedicated himself to surfing and computer games, but now that he has given up his dream of becoming a Playstation and X-Box tester, he could be available.

I always thought he would come good. This year could be his big chance though one hopes he doesn't cry anymore when he gets tackled..

Knowing our luck, he will probably return to the couch with a season ending injury.

 

[Bruce Ross]

Bloggs was a fine fullback in the Narrabeen Tigers Under 8s in 1992. His career went downhill after that when he dedicated himself to surfing and computer games, but now that he has given up his dream of becoming a Playstation and X-Box tester, he could be available.

I always thought he would come good. This year could be his big chance though one hopes he doesn't cry anymore when he gets tackled..

Definitely one for the anthology although I would wager that LG still has file notes on each of the players in the 1992 Narrabeen Tigers Under 8s.

 

[p.Tah]

Nooooooo. Not fair. Drew last year, Lachie this year. Give us a break.

There aren't enough expletives in the English language to allow me to vent my frustration...

 

[p.Tah]

Even more obscure is how a player from outside the 35 can get into a matchday 22 in one move, but you could see a scenario wherein such a move would be needed.

Anyone else thinking of packing their boots when they attend a game this year

 

[suckerforred]

I was going to ask this question myself, but until a new RUPA agreement gets published we punters are not going to find out. Will try to ask someone at Tahs training tomorrow.

I thought it used to be 3 games but your memory is probably better than mine.

I thought it was 5?

 

[qwerty51]

I'm not sure, 6 does seem too high, could be lower.

Team to play Tonga this friday, very excited about that pack despite still missing 3 players. I really hope they all are injury free come the Reds game.

Benn Robinson (Eastwood)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (Parramatta)
3. Sekope Kepu (Randwick)
4. Dean Mumm (Sydney University)
5. Kane Douglas (Southern Districts)
6. Dave Dennis (Sydney University)
7. Pat McCutcheon (Sydney University), vice captain
8. Wycliff Palu (Manly)
9. Sarel Pretorius (N/A)
10. Berrick Barnes (Sydney University), captain
11. Brackin Karauria-Henry (Southern Districts)
12. Tom Carter (Sydney University)
13. Rob Horne (Southern Districts)
14. Tom Kingston (Sydney University)
15. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Northern Suburbs)
Waratahs XV to contest last two quarters
1. Jeremy Tilse (Sydney University)
2. Damien Fitzpatrick (Eastwood)
3. Paddy Ryan (Sydney University)
4. Richard Stanford (Eastern Suburbs)*
5. Greg Peterson (Manly)
6. Tevita Metuisela (Manly)
7. Chris Alcock (Eastwood)
8. Lopeti Timani (Southern Districts)
9. Brendan McKibbin (Eastern Suburbs), vice captain
10. Daniel Halangahu (Sydney University), captain
11. Peter Betham (Sydney University)*
12. Toby Browne (Randwick)*
13. Michael Hodge (Sydney University)*
14. Nathan Trist (Sydney University)
15. Bernard Foley (Sydney University)

Replacements
16. John Ulugia (Southern Districts)
17. Lotu Taukeiaho (Randwick)
18. Liam Winton (Sydney University)*
19. Seilala Lam (Randwick)*
20. Grayson Hart (Southern Districts)
21. Jesse Leota (Parramatta)*
22. Tom Hill (Gordon)*
* Invited player

 

[suckerforred]

Not bad looking line ups. Despite the MIA's.