Waratahs 2013

[Braveheart81]

I guess that's fair enough then, I wonder who Cheika is looking for at 12, a playmaker or runner. If the latter I'd prefer Horne over Carter but maybe it's 10 Foley 12 Barnes

The mumblings seem to be 10. Foley 12. Barnes.

I guess we won't really know for a while as Barnes and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) aren't scheduled to play until the Crusaders trial. Even then it probably won't be definitive until the team is announced for round 1.

 

[JSRF10]

The mumblings seem to be 10. Foley 12. Barnes.

I guess we won't really know for a while as Barnes and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) aren't scheduled to play until the Crusaders trial. Even then it probably won't be definitive until the team is announced for round 1.

Horses for courses I think, play Barnes at home and against the weaker teams away and bring in Horne to shore up the D against the better ranked teams. If we have the squad, we should use it!

 

[#1 Tah]

Horses for courses I think, play Barnes at home and against the weaker teams away and bring in Horne to shore up the D against the better ranked teams. If we have the squad, we should use it!

I understand the reasoning, but it's not like Barnes is a weak link in defence... In fact, he is one of the only players in the world who can floor Ma'a Nonu.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Barnes can be a good attacking 10 when the 9 inside and the 12 outside are naturally attacking players. McKibbin can be either... Can Foley play at 12?

9. McKibbin
10. Barnes
11. Mitchell
12. Foley
13. Horne
14. Folau
15. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)

Edit: Forgot about that damn AFL guy.

 

[Lee Grant]

I don't think our knickers should be in a knot because Ella and Dwyer have called for Horne to be dropped from the starting team. Dwyer dropped lots of people who came back better than ever and even the Great One - Ella - was dropped himself.

It does no long term harm for a player of Horne's age to be demoted and it may well do him some good.

I would disagree at the minute for excluding him if the promotion of Folau is the reason. Izzy should prove himself first.

However, if the new boy stars in the trial against the Crusaders after being targeted, I will beg leave to change my mind.
.

 

[Slim 293]

Hooper to be captain........?

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...ooper-as-captain/story-e6frg7o6-1226571140556

 

[Braveheart81]

I have no problem if Hooper is made captain. As an 80 minute player, it makes sense (moreso than picking a hooker or prop who shouldn't play 80 minutes in most games).

We'll find out for sure at about 1:30pm today!

 

[fatprop]

I wouldn't get too excited about who gets picked in the centres for the first game. We all know there will be injuries and they will create opportunities

And if there aren't injuries, there will be rotation and a damn fine bench (wishful thinking)

 

[Pete King]

Horses for courses I think, play Barnes at home and against the weaker teams away and bring in Horne to shore up the D against the better ranked teams. If we have the squad, we should use it!

Herein lies what is wrong with Australian Rugby (not just tahs), These seems to be the deans mentality as well - Pick a team to defend or keep out the all blacks (in this case the stronger super sides). Both Tahs and Wallabies have to pick the best side to BEAT these teams. Im confident Cheik wwill pick the best side to execute his plans.

 

[JSRF10]

Herein lies what is wrong with Australian Rugby (not just tahs), These seems to be the deans mentality as well - Pick a team to defend or keep out the all blacks (in this case the stronger super sides). Both Tahs and Wallabies have to pick the best side to BEAT these teams. Im confident Cheik wwill pick the best side to execute his plans.

I understand your point but for example playing away to Chiefs they will lock to blow you out of the game early, would it not be best to pick a physical centre over a more creative ball playing one like Barnes to keep it tight for the first half, bring on Barnes as the game breaks up, as potentially the home team get frustrated and errors creep in, then let him create some potential match winning scores. As much as we want to see it you can’t play attacking rugby in all situations (this just may be me still talking with me northern hemisphere hat on ), sometimes some good old physical defence is required before going for the jugular. Although I do agree I have full confidence in Cheika to pick the correct side and tactics.

 

[fatprop]

Sam Lane withdraws from Waratahs in order to rehab after knee injury
Jamie Pandaram The Daily Telegraph February 05, 2013 12:00am

SELFLESS playmaker Sam Lane has requested a release from the Waratahs so he can rebuild his confidence in a less pressured environment.

He will instead play Sevens rugby for Manly in his comeback from a serious knee operation.

Lane's offer to give up his EPS (Extended Player Squad) contract is being mulled over by NSW coach Michael Cheika. If it is accepted, greater pressure will be placed upon Bernard Foley and Berrick Barnes, two contenders for the No.10 jersey.
..........................................

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"it is fairly unselfish for him not to stick around there," Tim Lane said.

"It is quite a big call. He's played one game in a couple of years and lost his confidence a bit, he just felt he needed a bit of time to get some football under his belt without having that added pressure.

.................................................
.......................................................

If Cheika accepts Lane's withdrawal he would need to find another playmaking option for the EPS spot - reserved for five players outside the top 30 full-time training squad.

One consideration would be teenage sensation David Horwitz who spent the pre-season training with the side.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...fter-knee-injury/story-fn8ti7yn-1226570298215

 

[Hawko]

Scary stuff. The position we have the least cover for in the whole squad has one of the cover players seeking a release. The only suggested replacement posted has, according to my limited research, not yet played first grade Shute.

If Foley goes down we are in deep, deep doo-doo unless we can get one of our specialist winger/fullbacks to play there. And arguably the best 10 in Shute last year has been overlooked. I just don't get it.

 

[Dave Beat]

Ia more creative ball playing one like Barnes

I havent seen a creative side of Barnes for some time, not sure whether that is due to player, coach, game plan so I will sit on the fence.
Barnes is good defensively though

 

[Aussie D]

Horwitz? Hopefully they will go with Saifoloi (sp?) from Southern Districts as he looked the goods last year and was one of 5 players from memory in line for an EPS spot before it was given to his clubmate Volavola. Is he the one you were alluding to Hawko or did you mean the Warringah player who won the Catchpole medal?

 

[ShtinaTina]

Woo hoo. Dave Dennis is 2013 Captain! Good solid choice.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

I understand the reasoning, but it's not like Barnes is a weak link in defence. In fact, he is one of the only players in the world who can floor Ma'a Nonu.

...and Horne's defence has been variable.
I am surprised at how people are prepared to keep giving Horne the benefit of the doubt: whether you blame injuries or something else I think he needs to earn his spot back.
As Scott Allen showed with his #13 analysis the AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) wont/cant pass bandwagon is missing a wheel: AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) should be first choice @ 13 - I can live with Barnes @ 12 and Folau can fit in with that - for the first week anyway!

 

[Refabit]

No need to drop Horne.
Just let him play and wait for the inevitable (unlucky) injury.

 

[Hawko]

Horwitz? Hopefully they will go with Saifoloi (sp?) from Southern Districts as he looked the goods last year and was one of 5 players from memory in line for an EPS spot before it was given to his clubmate Volavola. Is he the one you were alluding to Hawko or did you mean the Warringah player who won the Catchpole medal?

Saifoloi. I would have picked him over Volavola as Volavola is more a 12/15 whereas Saifoloi is an out and out 10.

 

[scaraby]

Drop Horne. Makes sense. One has to wonder why he was a Wallaby last year.

I feel for Rob. Someone told him that he had to fix his tendency to get injured so he "Bulked Up". The conditioning guys at Tahs need a new book.
Maybe we should give him a preseason AFL style ,because he was without doubt one of the form 13s before he got injured.

 

[Braveheart81]

In regards to the Sam Lane issue, I wouldn't release him I was the Waratahs.

Clearly the guy needs to be eased back in and maybe the Tahs should reach an agreement with him whereby they ease him back into rugby through things like the 7s that he wants to play.

Realistically he is a talented young player who is a member of the EPS, not a fully contracted player. The Tahs should definitely be keen to keep him for more than just 2013 otherwise what was the point in signing him in the first place?

I don't see how it does Lane or the Waratahs any favours to release him from his contract. Working out a mutually agreeable return to rugby should be the solution.