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Waratahs 2012

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Lee Grant

Lee Grant

John Eales (66)
Very droll Cutter. I can't see a use for Hoiles. When Rocky starts playing, Dennis will cover Cliffy at 8 and if you want a 3rd one you would use Lopeti Timani from the EPS, based on form in the two trials, not Hoiles, with his dodgy achilles tendon.

I would hold fire on replacing Vickerman to get back to 17 forwards depending on the form of the locks in the early rounds. The EPS players are locked in IIRR and the outsiders aren't going anywhere at this time of the year, though they could become targets of other Oz Super outfits who suffer long injuries.

A more immediate need is to replace Turner in the back 3 because Mitchell was wearing a moon boot last night (but wasn't last week) - and BKH has hardly played the house down in 2 trials on the wing.

A specialist fullback who can play wing would be my recommendation and I've mentioned Ben Batger a few times. Sean Foley of Randwick would be another but Bernard Foley has showed so much panache in the 3 different positions he has played in two trial games, that he is probably considered to be the backup for AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) now.

B. Foley is not a winger though. Trist will likely be promoted from the EPS to replace Turner on the wing. Others have mentioned Betham from outside the 35, but I wish he wouldn't stop all the time when he tries to beat his man.


PS - I would like to get Dion Berryman of Gordon back from Italy - he would provide a bit of missing X-factor.
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Lindommer

Lindommer

Simon Poidevin (60)
Staff member
The Tahs should be mindful of the prospect of future injuries to their stock of second-rowers, or, more likey, terrified. Let's hope Douglas has had his second year blues and starts to achieve the promise we all know he's got. And the promising and up-and-coming lock, Peterson, gets some time on the paddock and doesn't embarrass himself. There's also a priceless opportunity for Stanford to show his successor at Scots he's no slouch and not out of the picture. If Stanford doesn't grab this chance with both hands and step up one would have to agree with the Brumbies and Force who both let him go. I'm cheering for you, Richard.

LG's observation for backup in the outside backs is spot on. Blokes like Batger and Betham have had as many opportunites as Stanford without grabbing them. You two Bs, here's a chance to make your mark. The train's at the station, jump on!
 
Inside Shoulder

Inside Shoulder

Nathan Sharpe (72)
Surely the Tahs can sign some players older than Vickerman and Elsom just to make sure they are really down on playing strength before the first round of the comp?
 
Hawko

Hawko

Tony Shaw (54)
One concern I have with the Tahs squad is the lack of back-up goalkickers. Barnes supposedly injured his groin kicking for goal. Groins are not a place to get an injury, they take a long time to heal. So if Barnes goes down the only recognised goalkickers we have are McKibben and Hangers, who are not starters. Unless someone else steps up then if Barnes is OK to play but not to kick then he's going to have to step down. The only other possibility I can think of is that if Foley kicks then he goes to 15 and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to 11. Anyone got a better solution??
 
Ash

Ash

Michael Lynagh (62)
Sadly, Turner would've been the back up goal kicker normally I'd guess.

Any other of the Tah players ever kick for their club side?
 
Lee Grant

Lee Grant

John Eales (66)
Haven't seen any goal kicking training but Barnes, Halangahu and McKibbin have been the main kickers in the two trials, with Foley and Trist having a few.

If Barnes is crocked down the track I believe that Foley will come into the starting side ahead of Hangers since by then he would have had some good Super time - and also take the kicks. Short term, and no Barnes, Hangers will probably start and take the kicks but he doesn't kick them far and is hot and cold anyway.

Having said that I wouldn't be surprised if Foley is elevated early: I can't emphasise how much he looks like a big match player. His appearances in Sevens on the world stage has probably helped, but it could be an innate attribute.

I believe Trist will be promoted into the 30 to take Turner's spot to provide further goal kicking cover.

Barnes and McKibbin have been in good goal kicking form in the two trials; so it would be ironic if Barnes is crocked since McKibbin is not 1st string.
 
Cutter

Cutter

Nicholas Shehadie (39)
Lee Grant said:
I think Cutter was having a little dig about Hoiles playing too loose. He certainly is not a hard head.
Click to expand...

That is right Lee and also to the fact that, in my opinion, depth in the outside backs (and lock) is more of a concern than in the backrow.

I'm glad you picked it up though because having to explain my own post would suggest it missed the mark completely.
 
suckerforred

suckerforred

Chilla Wilson (44)
OK. In the opinion of all the estemed Tah's supporters here - how likely is Barnes to play this weekend? And if he is going to play, how likely is he going to do the kicking?

I would have thought that a groin niggle in your kicker this early in the season will need sensitive management, and possibly resting.
 
cyclopath

cyclopath

George Smith (75)
Staff member
suckerforred said:
OK. In the opinion of all the estemed Tah's supporters here - how likely is Barnes to play this weekend? And if he is going to play, how likely is he going to do the kicking?

I would have thought that a groin niggle in your kicker this early in the season will need sensitive management, and possibly resting.
Click to expand...
Not sure how opinions from Tahs supporters are of any more use than that of anyone else here. The only opinions that matter are those of the coaching and medical staff, and I'm reasonably sure none of them are posting in this thread.
So my useless opinion is "Who knows?". :)
 
rugbysmartarse

rugbysmartarse

Alan Cameron (40)
suckerforred said:
OK. In the opinion of all the estemed Tah's supporters here - how likely is Barnes to play this weekend? And if he is going to play, how likely is he going to do the kicking?

I would have thought that a groin niggle in your kicker this early in the season will need sensitive management, and possibly resting.
Click to expand...
I would suggest sensitive management and possible resting are not part of the waratahs rehabilitation plan. It tends to be more "we need him, strap him up and send him out there" I offer a guarantee that he starts next week
 
#1 Tah

#1 Tah

Chilla Wilson (44)
suckerforred said:
OK. In the opinion of all the estemed Tah's supporters here - how likely is Barnes to play this weekend? And if he is going to play, how likely is he going to do the kicking?

I would have thought that a groin niggle in your kicker this early in the season will need sensitive management, and possibly resting.
Click to expand...

He will start. And kick. sucks for you :p
 
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