Waratahs 2013
- Thread starter fatprop
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It is what it is
John Solomon (38)
Tilse too?
Scott Allen
Trevor Allan (34)
I've seen Lucas and Crawford announced as back replacements but what about the forwards.
Is it confirmed that Mumm, Elsom, Tilse and Vickermann are the only forwards going?
I've seen Hooper announced but who else is likely as replacements in the forward pack?
Is it confirmed that Mumm, Elsom, Tilse and Vickermann are the only forwards going?
I've seen Hooper announced but who else is likely as replacements in the forward pack?
Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
There are some we are sure about: Mumm, Elsom, BKH all have European or Japanese contracts, Crawford and Hooper coming from the Brumbies, Lucas from the Reds but maybe EPS?
There are some that have been talked about but there's nothing official: Vickerman to retire, Tilse to the Reds, Caldwell coming back, Carter looking at his options and is unlikely to stay, Halangahu probably going (Europe?). There are others who have had some speculation directed their way and are possibly going: Pretorius back to SA, Pakalani - still quite young and could yet develop.
There are some who are not being talked about but should be: Sita Timani - is he doing another stint in Japan, he hardly came back in pristine condition to play this year? Hoiles was training with the squad this year but with the hundreds of backrowers we have signed I hope not. Peterson seems to have gone right off the radar after being a five year development project. Betham is in the full squad but was only dragged in when Mitchell and Turner fell over - should he stay? With Hooper coming should Jenkins stay, Trist is in the EPS and probably should go as Betham jumped over him and he's not young (lousy thing to do to string him along, roster management has been unbelievably poor this year and the results reflect that), Mann-Rea has a full squad spot but he's the fourth hooker when three should suffice and we need a youngling in the EPS, Stanford stepped into the main squad when Peterson was judged to be not ready, Taukeiaho is in the EPS as prop back-up and maybe will get Tilse's spot but we haven't heard anything about him all season, Lopeti Timani has not been elevated to the full squad even though he's subbed plenty of times.
People screaming for a player cleanout would probably want to add Barnes and maybe some others to that list too. Overall, there looks like there will be plenty of new faces next year.
Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
So, it looks like we will have for sure: Possibles in red, still hoping in blue
If it was me I would offer EPS spots to Jenkins and Betham, opening up spots for another lock and another 10/12. Unfortunately for us in Australia we are very thin on the ground for talented 10/12's except for the Reds where there is an over-abundance. If Pretorius goes back to SA we could offer the marquee spot to one of the NZ up-and-comers - they seem to have a plethora of them.
- Robinson (Kepu as standby),
- TPN, Fitzpatrick, Ulugia
- Kepu, Ryan, (Ulugia as standby)
- Douglas, Stanford, Caldwell
- S. Timani, Vickerman
- Dennis, McCutcheon,
- Hooper, Alcock, Jenkins
- Palu, L. Timani
- Hart, McKibben, Lucas
- Foley
- Mitchell, Betham
- Barnes
- Horne
- Turner, Kingston
- AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Crawford
If it was me I would offer EPS spots to Jenkins and Betham, opening up spots for another lock and another 10/12. Unfortunately for us in Australia we are very thin on the ground for talented 10/12's except for the Reds where there is an over-abundance. If Pretorius goes back to SA we could offer the marquee spot to one of the NZ up-and-comers - they seem to have a plethora of them.
I know there's a propensity to bag SuperProp Tilse, and the poor bugger's been cursed with few playing opportunities the last five years, but I have a sneaking feeling he's coming into his good years as a prop. He just turned 26 in June, and, to my eye, has performed creditably this year (and last year) when given a chance. I've made a point of watching him close up this year when he's been running around with the reserves and have been very impressed with his physical development, he's done a lot of work on his physical preparation with some mature muscularity. He doesn't look like a big young boy any more.
SP, go to another team where you'll get (a lot) more game time. Surely Melbourne beckons. I'll tell the boys at Jimmy Watson's you're on yer way.
SP, go to another team where you'll get (a lot) more game time. Surely Melbourne beckons. I'll tell the boys at Jimmy Watson's you're on yer way.
Oh this would be brilliant- Anesi II: Return of the Marquee Hero...
Tilse is quite a good LHP and a passable THP.
The challenge is that bench spots in most sides go to the 2nd best THP who can play LHP (unless the 2nd THP starts at LHP
)
So he is 4th choice at the Tahs
But everytime he has had the opportunity to start a LHP he has done very well
The funny thing is that if the 2nd reserve prop rule was in action today, he would be getting a hell of a lot more game time.
I wonder how coaches will manage that second reserve role, most sides carry a baby in that spot for development
The challenge is that bench spots in most sides go to the 2nd best THP who can play LHP (unless the 2nd THP starts at LHP
)So he is 4th choice at the Tahs
But everytime he has had the opportunity to start a LHP he has done very well
The funny thing is that if the 2nd reserve prop rule was in action today, he would be getting a hell of a lot more game time.
I wonder how coaches will manage that second reserve role, most sides carry a baby in that spot for development
Tilse has played most of his career at LHP, but I reckon he should consider specialising at THP purely on what he looks like now. His height, for one, would suggest he can't get under opposing THPs and he's now got the bulk and strength to go with that height. As Ryan would now seem to be in front of him in the Tahs' THP queue I stand by my suggestion Tilse should look elsewhere.
Is the rumour Link's interested in Tilse true?
Is the rumour Link's interested in Tilse true?
Brumby Jack
Steve Williams (59)
Daruda's playing for Manly now
Gnostic
Mark Ella (57)
I still take exception to this. We produce plenty of talented 10s, we just don't develop them like other countries do or select them to play game plans their skill set is not ideal to play. There are plenty of talented players available now around the Super sides and indeed some could be identified in the Shute, but first they need to decide on a game plan and select somebody to execute that plan. Hangers and Barnes are an each way bet trying to placate the idiots in the media (and those they influence) who keep harping on about kicking with no understanding of it, and trying to present a running game.
Decide a game plan and select.
I have a negative outlook on the squad you presented as well. I do not rate Timani at this time, and Vickerman must be terminated. Either Peterson starts next year or gets released altogether. What about Pakalani? Is he now to be discarded. I saw him in the same light as Speight and he could do well next year if injury free.
Brumbies Guy
John Solomon (38)
Brumbies have Lealiifano, McCabe, To'omua, Coleman and Holmes as 10/12 options. Not a bad lineup.
Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
True. If everyone stays fit, someone is going to be seriously disappointed next year. And if McCabe goes to 13 to accomodate one of them then Andrew Smith gets squeezed. The Brumbies have a good looking backs squad.
This isn't my favourite squad, just my distillation of the announcements/speculation to date. I'd keep Paka too, he's shown some potential along the way. But about the only thing he developed this year was an increasing potential to niggle other players, which is the last skill I'd want to see develop. If Vickerman could overcome his injuries I'd have him in a heartbeat, but it looks increasingly like his body has had enough.
Forcefield
Ken Catchpole (46)
He was the first choice 10 for the Force in 2006 until he got an injury (neck I think). He fell out of favour in the following years with Matt Giteau mostly at 10. He was ok for the Perth Spirit in the ARC. He was tried a few times in 2008 or 2009 at 12 which didn't really work out. I was really disappointed that the Force let him go when they did because I thought he had potential in an area where clearly we had big issues. Apparently a number of fairly serious off field incidents were the reason for the Force's lack of interest. I won't repeat what he was alleged to have done since I don't know if it is true or not.
No idea of what he is like now. But I would be very keen to see. Is that game the one broadcast on ABC iview?
Blue
Andrew Slack (58)
For his own sake he should hope they let him go. Talk about mismanagement. Grant it his pass can be suspect but to go from the top try scorer and absolute tyro last year to an average player this year? How does this happen?
Sharks can do well to get him I reckon. Suits their direct style of play to a T.
rugbyisfun
Jimmy Flynn (14)
I hope Pretorious tells all when he goes. Will be an interesting perspective
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