Waratahs 2012
- Thread starter Lee Grant
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Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
- You'd have to think that the team for the first half will be the team for round one. Its not a bad looking pack!
- Looks like McCutcheon has nailed the 7 jersey barring a poor performance this week.
- If Foley goes for a 5:2 split then I think the bench for the Reds will be Fitzpatrick, Ryan, Petersen, Timani, Alcock, McKibben and Foley. If 4:3 then Hangers will replace Timani.
mjw
Larry Dwyer (12)
Reports from last weeks trial had him doing the talking in the forwards
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
I'm hoping one of Pakalani and Mitchell will be fit, I don't like the idea going into the Reds game with 2 rookie wingers defending against the Reds backline. Pakalani started to put in some good hits and defended well at the backend of last season. Kingston/Cross were the culprits that led Quade in the for the decisive try in the last game.
Got no problems with McCutcheon vice-captain, I really have high hopes for him this season, he played a blinder in the Shute Shield final (basically two Super rugby packs anyway) and for the Australian Barbarians.
Ash
Michael Lynagh (62)
Also, after Quade broke the line Beale fell off a weak attempted tackle as well. It wasn't entirely Cross.
But yeah, have to agree about the Shute Shield final - Cutch was easily my pick of the forwards on the park that day. I am unsure about the VC though; I think that should go to someone who has a more firm grip on their position. Cutch can still do the talking without the VC beside his name - it should not matter. I like Cutch more than Alcock because I think Cutch is a better scavenger, and that should balance out their pack a little better.
But yeah, have to agree about the Shute Shield final - Cutch was easily my pick of the forwards on the park that day. I am unsure about the VC though; I think that should go to someone who has a more firm grip on their position. Cutch can still do the talking without the VC beside his name - it should not matter. I like Cutch more than Alcock because I think Cutch is a better scavenger, and that should balance out their pack a little better.
Swat
Chilla Wilson (44)
Bruce Ross
Ken Catchpole (46)
I can't recall him filling the captain's role at Uni, given that Tim Davidson had the lock on it for so many seasons. I agree with you, fp, that his captaincy of the Aussie Sevens side would have given him relevant experience, particularly as I seem to recall the team having some success under his leadership.
Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
Yes, he played well by all reports in the first trial.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
As Hawkeye mentioned: it looks like McCutcheon has a lead in the 7s race against Alcock. He is not an explosive runner like Alcock but he reads the play defensively better. He played well against Samoa, albeit at 8 and against a weak team. It does not surprise me that he is vice-captain: as I have said a few times: he is a natural skipper.
Benn Robinson comes into start at LHP, as one mentioned before, and Kepu moves over to THP. This is a bit of a shame as I would have liked to have seen Ryan start in the main team again. He was bloody impressive in Tamworth. Mumm and Douglas continue their undeclared war for precedence when either Vickerman or Timani, or both, come back.
Palu starts and we will have our fingers crossed for him. Alcock drops to the Twos to accommodate him, and McCutcheon moves to 7.
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) replaces Turner and BKH moves to the wing so AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) can play fullback, as expected.
In the Twos Foley moves to 15 as part of a disaster plan, and swaps with Browne, who goes to 12. THP Ryan moves into the XV and Ulugia becomes the only contracted player in the reserves.
8. Lopeti T will be trying to have another storming game in a bid to become part of a disaster plan if Cliffy gets crocked again.
Benn Robinson comes into start at LHP, as one mentioned before, and Kepu moves over to THP. This is a bit of a shame as I would have liked to have seen Ryan start in the main team again. He was bloody impressive in Tamworth. Mumm and Douglas continue their undeclared war for precedence when either Vickerman or Timani, or both, come back.
Palu starts and we will have our fingers crossed for him. Alcock drops to the Twos to accommodate him, and McCutcheon moves to 7.
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) replaces Turner and BKH moves to the wing so AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) can play fullback, as expected.
In the Twos Foley moves to 15 as part of a disaster plan, and swaps with Browne, who goes to 12. THP Ryan moves into the XV and Ulugia becomes the only contracted player in the reserves.
8. Lopeti T will be trying to have another storming game in a bid to become part of a disaster plan if Cliffy gets crocked again.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
That is good to hear, however he needs to be tested at scrum time against a decent scrum.
This hasn't been discussed much but why did the Tahs opt to trial against Samoa and Tonga when every other side has chosen other Super rugby sides? Have we missed the ball here? The Samoans/Tongas are physical and we've already been dealt with injuries, so an injury perspective is ruled out. How would the coaches accurately assess the players by 83-5 victories? I feel as though we're already behind because of this, the Reds game in round 1 will be a massive step up and the Reds will have played the Force and Brumbies.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Good point qwerty but the good thing about the Tahs in Tamworth was that they didn't play down to the level of their opponents as they sometimes do. And most impressively - the Twos team didn't either. Both XVs performed good team stuff in a way that made one think they could do the same against better opponents, albeit not with the same effect on the scoreboard.
It's hard to put into words the teamwork both Tahs teams showed, especially the Ones in the downpour. Hopefully more folks will be able to see a similar exhibition in Sydney and describe it better.
It's hard to put into words the teamwork both Tahs teams showed, especially the Ones in the downpour. Hopefully more folks will be able to see a similar exhibition in Sydney and describe it better.
Swat
Chilla Wilson (44)
Don't talk yourself down LG. Your coverage here was better than any other live feeds
Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
LG's coverage was better than ANY other coverage I saw in the media and I think I saw everything, I certainly went looking.
T
TOCC
Guest
Heard the tahs are In talk with another winger to come in and replace LT...
rugbyvet
Chris McKivat (8)
Maybe Anesi is free again......
mark_s
Chilla Wilson (44)
Dan Parks? Just kidding LG, although it could be a better choice than tits for hands and rocks for feet Anesi.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Mitchell won't make it back for round 1 
http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/s.../story-e6frf4qu-1226272056512?from=public_rss
Article also says Hoiles could play for us if injuries persist, he's been training with the squad. Not bad, I'm a bit worried about our backrow depth if Palu and Elsom go down. Still need some wingers!
Ok now I'm really depressed if Vickerman is gone.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/s.../story-e6frf4qu-1226272056512?from=public_rss
Article also says Hoiles could play for us if injuries persist, he's been training with the squad. Not bad, I'm a bit worried about our backrow depth if Palu and Elsom go down. Still need some wingers!
Ok now I'm really depressed if Vickerman is gone.
p.Tah
John Thornett (49)
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