Waratahs 2013

[en_force_er]

I think the use of Folau at 15 is a great move. His kicking game should be solid and we know he is good under the high ball.

Cheika should have him spending an hour each day putting up bombs and then running through an obstacle course to catch the high ball. That will be the biggest change from League, with the oppo being 10M back and behind the line Israel would have never previously had to make his way through heavy traffic to reach the marking contest.

I don't think the literal marking is the issue, the positioning is.

He needs to learn to position himself to minimise opposition options and effort on his part rather than literally work on his catching (which he will no doubt need to work with a bit).

 

[ShtinaTina]

Poor guy. So much promise, and never really got out of the starting blocks. Just awful news.

Huh really? He didn't mention it when I saw him on the weekend...granted I didn't ask him directly. Awful if he's out again. Poor guy.

 

[ShtinaTina]

Saw Fitz last Friday morning, unfortunately he had a pair of crutches with him. Didn't get to talk with him. He didn't move too well.

He was walking okay on Saturday arvo.

 

[RonnieP]

just saw a clip of izzy's first session on fox and noticed a few guys like AJ Gilbert in the background. Does anyone know who else is in the wider training group?

 

[fatprop]

meh, the beat up has began, I was hoping the Tahs, after a shit season, would under promise and then over deliver

but Folau has changed that, the papers are orgasming over him jumping high and being able to pass and expectations will be turned up to 3,000,000 again.

So standard off season for Waratah land has returned.

They are always the best team in the world from October to January with lots of paper talk creating high expectations, and then the comp starts.

 

[Rob42]

So how do the Tahs plan to utilise big Izzy? That's right - kicking:

http://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby-...to-lethal-effect/story-fndpu1x3-1226531628852

 

[TSR]

Fair point FP - but I would have thought there would be some genuine optimism with the progression of the likes of Paddy Ryan, Douglas, Timani, Dennis, Foley, the recruitment of Hooper & Folau & even the form of Betham and return from injury of Mitchell. The change of head coach also must bring some fresh approach. Depth may be an issue - but the Tahs are probably overdue for some luck in the injury department.

As a Reds fan I understand the meaning of a false dawn but the nature of professional support is that teams will generally work in cycles - the Tahs roster must give some cause for optimism that they are at least capable of being on the rise.

Michael Cheika would maybe like to fly under the radar, as most coaches do, but from a management side of things clearly supporter partonage is a big issue for every sport team, even more so in the fickle Sydney market. The need to be out there selling every bit of positive news (then hope the team rewards the supporters with performance).

 

[fatprop]

So how do the Tahs plan to utilise big Izzy? That's right - kicking:

http://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby-...to-lethal-effect/story-fndpu1x3-1226531628852

Why wouldn't they?

That is one of his key strengths, why wouldn't you leverage it?

The challenge is getting it right, the unit can jump high, you can't touch him while he is up there, if they get it right it is bloody hard to defend against

 

[Jets]

Gibson also mentioned on that hopefully teams will be worried about Izzy in the air so it may create more space for them to run the ball. I'm not sure he's fitting in well at Tah land with that attitude.

 

[cyclopath]

Gibson also mentioned on that hopefully teams will be worried about Izzy in the air so it may create more space for them to run the ball. I'm not sure he's fitting in well at Tah land with that attitude.

As long as Cheika likes that talk. I reckon a few faceless men around there might be a tad intimidated by Cheika.

 

[qwerty51]

just saw a clip of izzy's first session on fox and noticed a few guys like AJ Gilbert in the background. Does anyone know who else is in the wider training group?

Only from the pics I saw AJ Gilbert and Michael Ala'alatoa

 

[Rob42]

Why wouldn't they?

That is one of his key strengths, why wouldn't you leverage it?

The challenge is getting it right, the unit can jump high, you can't touch him while he is up there, if they get it right it is bloody hard to defend against

Of course, his leap is amazing and it could be very useful. It's just, after the last couple of seasons, I go a little bit queazy in the stomach when I hear anyone from the Tahs talk enthusiastically about kicking the ball. I'm sure it's just a reflex, nothing a few solid years of therapy can't fix.

 

[cyclopath]

Of course, his leap is amazing and it could be very useful. It's just, after the last couple of seasons, I go a little bit queazy in the stomach when I hear anyone from the Tahs talk enthusiastically about kicking the ball. I'm sure it's just a reflex, nothing a few solid years of therapy can't fix.

But kicking, per se, is no problem. Kicking tactically, kicking effectively, and having some bodies to chase them are the key. All good rugby teams kick. Waratah and Wallaby teams of late have kicked "safely" with drop punts well away from the sidelines that gain mediocre ground, and gift possession in great areas to counter-attack. Kicking can be a god attacking weapon at times, and let's not overlook the re-start, one of Aus rugby's Achilles' heels.

 

[Rob42]

I agree Cyclo, I agree. The downfall of the Tahs has not been kicking per se, it's been poor kicking. The 2011 Reds were much more kick-happy than the Tahs, but were obviously a spectacular attacking team because they kicked well. The Tahs were just kicking the ball away with no obvious plan, etc. I've no intention of revisiting that whole issue. Just a reflex response.

 

[BPC]

I'm sure it's just a reflex, nothing a few solid years of therapy drinking can't fix.

Fixed

 

[fatprop]

Of course, his leap is amazing and it could be very useful. It's just, after the last couple of seasons, I go a little bit queazy in the stomach when I hear anyone from the Tahs talk enthusiastically about kicking the ball. I'm sure it's just a reflex, nothing a few solid years of therapy can't fix.

yeah, but I have thought for a while the issue with the kicking is less about the kick and more about units working to create the pressure. We need more units working like Carter and Turner to turn average kicks into good kicks and good kicks into great kicks. We also need units working hard every game to give the kick receiver the options to attack ball in hand and then keeping in play ie support play.

 

[Eyes and Ears]

I agree Cyclo, I agree. The downfall of the Tahs has not been kicking per se, it's been poor kicking. The 2011 Reds were much more kick-happy than the Tahs, but were obviously a spectacular attacking team because they kicked well. The Tahs were just kicking the ball away with no obvious plan, etc. I've no intention of revisiting that whole issue. Just a reflex response.

of course the ironic thing about this comment is the Waratahs scored more tries than the Reds in the 2011 Super Rugby regular season.

 

[Rob42]

yeah, but I have thought for a while the issue with the kicking is less about the kick and more about units working to create the pressure. We need more units working like Carter and Turner to turn average kicks into good kicks and good kicks into great kicks. We also need units working hard every game to give the kick receiver the options to attack ball in hand and then keeping in play ie support play.

Yes, I was pleased to see, in one of the articles about Folau, that Cheika was pointing out how much he would need to learn about working off the ball. He should be fit for running plenty after AFL, at least. A kick is only as good as its chase.

 

[It is what it is]

yeah, but I have thought for a while the issue with the kicking is less about the kick and more about units working to create the pressure. We need more units working like Carter and Turner to turn average kicks into good kicks and good kicks into great kicks. We also need units working hard every game to give the kick receiver the options to attack ball in hand and then keeping in play ie support play.

Do you mean when/if Carter & Turner come off the bench?

 

[fatprop]

Do you mean when/if Carter & Turner come off the bench?

If Carter and Turner are on the bench we are putting out a pretty good side (but I expect Turner to start, we need his work ethic)