waratahjesus
Greg Davis (50)
True blue by john Williamson is a much better choice than the elevator music festival that is pete Murray
Waratahs 2012
- Thread starter Lee Grant
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True blue by john Williamson is a much better choice than the elevator music festival that is pete Murray
Bowside
Peter Johnson (47)
As if poaching half the squad from queensland wasn't bad enough, they also want our singers now.
Maybe a relocation is on the cards and that's why the tahs split from the nswru.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Huh? We've got Mitchell, Barnes and McKibben. You've got Beau Robinson, David McDuling and Van Humphries
Bowside
Peter Johnson (47)
I think you misunderstood me, I would have the eps guys playing club rugby to stay match fit. That was the whole basis of my argument really, why pay a guy like trist to be a fringe member of the squad and play club rugby, when he is going to be playing club rugby anyway - ready for the call up if you need him. Why not spend the money on a top young athlete who is in demand from other provinces/codes/overseas teams.
Its too early to judge with the academy system as we don't know the inner workings, but rugby union cant just ignore the fact that the league have a strong youth competition and are going after a lot of the top juniors. How will the academy contracts measure up compared to toyota cup contracts? I'd be very surprised if the money or off-field opportunities were half as good.
The only carrot union has that really measure up to what the other codes offer for young blokes are the eps and 7's contracts. In response to this many will say you need a few years under your belt playing grade rugby before you can make the step up, which I somewhat agree with. But even if a player is in the EPS or 7's, they would be playing club rugby most of the year anyway. Furthermore if you look at the positions that we are competing with league for players in, its in the backrow and the backs. I would say tight 5 players don't come of age until early to mid 20's, but loosies and backs can and have played at the higher levels at younger ages.
That's why if I was running this academy thing, it would have a strong tight 5 focus. Not just cause Australia is historically a little weak in the tight 5, but also because we have less direction competition for players and therefore don't have to offer them as much to keep them in the system. It would also act as a proving ground so that super rugby teams dont have to 'punt' on young tight forwards - they will have a better idea on who has got it and who has not.
Bowside
Peter Johnson (47)
And rocky.
Beau Robinson is now our favourite son, he's as red as chris latham. And you can't claim him cause you didn't want him anymore. :fishing
DPK
Peter Sullivan (51)
I'm hearing a lot of talk about this Browning lad; so when he leaves Qld because of the already stacked supply of quality backrowers, I assume we'll be able to say you didn't want him anymore? :fishing
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Pete Murray is terrible, but John Williamson is an abomination upon music.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Yeah I did misunderstand you - sorry. The thing is: the 5 EPS players will train with the Tahs just like the pro Academy guys used to do, and then play club footie on the weekend. They will have to know all the systems and calls and train full-time just like the contracted players.
You could ask why 5 young blokes couldn't do that, but you couldn't expect them to play in Super Rugby, maybe even start, if there are two injuries in their position because they wouldn't be ready physically. And they would need a few years in grade against hard heads to learn their craft. You might have one or maybe even two outside backs who are very young in the EPS, but not forwards.
I watched some young blokes playing for the Junior Tahs before the Super season this year in a few games. When they played the hard nosed (Fiji based) Fijian players and the Oz Barbarians it was like men against boys. The hard heads had it all over them. Most of the young JTs (some were older) wouldn't have been able to be backups for the contracted Super players and that is the purpose of the EPS - they have to be ready to play Super Rugby.
Yep - there should be some way to get young players on the cusp to earn some grocery money and get some youth footie, and I have written at length about an U/19 competition wherein the best players are tracked for the IRB U/20 comp the following year, but it's an old song I sing.
.
Rob
Sydney Middleton (9)
Im a bit apprehensive about front row in this squad - seems a bit light on, particularly props. If Ben Robbo gets injured, we will get shunted all over the park
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
When has Rocky ever played professional rugby in QLD? He's really not a QLDer at all, born in Victoria, went to school in QLD but left straight away to NSW to play professional league/union. Doesn't change the fact you've got as many NSW and we've got QLDers in your squad.
waratahjesus
Greg Davis (50)
PatMcCabe likes him.
Ironingman
Allen Oxlade (6)
Pat McCabe enjoys pain
DPK
Peter Sullivan (51)
:violin:
waratahjesus
Greg Davis (50)
Sydney no#1,
http://www.news.com.au/breaking-new...rs-choice-awards/story-e6frfku0-1226165509411
Enjoy your territory whilst you have the land rights.
Ruggo
Mark Ella (57)
Who gives a stuff. Latham is QLD to the bone. In 10 years time NSW will say the same about Barnes. I rather judge by the pride in which they where the Jersey.
BTW, Beau was born in Alice Springs so piss off as he is one of ours. :fishing
Ruggo
Mark Ella (57)
Constitutionally Territorians have shit all rights.
waratahjesus
Greg Davis (50)
Your coach does have a history of sack beau though so he won't be yours for long.
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