Waratahs 2013

[Hugh Jarse]

So the additional marquee may not come from a current B&I Lions player.

What about Alphabet Van Der Mouvre from Canada or an Argie or some other test level player from the 6N not in the B&I Lions or Un Frogge perhaps ?

 

[p.Tah]

From Cheika's members email:

I believe on playing to people’s strengths so the way we’ll split the coaching responsibilities are that Alan will take charge of attack from set plays as that’s his real strength and it’s an area I really want to bring back into our game. Daryl will look after what comes after that with the team’s attacking skills and continuity play, and I’ll look after the forwards and the team’s defence.

attacking skills and continuity play. If we can do half as well as the Crusaders do this I'll be bloody happy.

 

[Hawko]

I thought I read somewhere that he had the clause to leave if a full time spot came up at the Reds due to the Quade affair?

I could be wrong, but you'd think it would be the best for all parties...

There was a lot of talk on the forum several months ago that Lane had a clause in his contract that allowed him to return to QLD if Quade was no longer in the squad. Whether that is true we do not know, these contracts seem to be kept very secret so that other players don't get upset when another player has better clauses than he has.

If we see Quade play for the Reds next year and then go to Japan/France we probably won't know where Lane will end up for nine months or so. But if QC (Quade Cooper) goes very soon and the clause does exist then I would guess Lane will go to QLD.

Hopefully this QC (Quade Cooper) kerfuffle will open a spot for Saifoloi at either the Reds or the Tahs. I think he showed a lot of promise this year, but for some reason has been considered uncontractable.

 

[Hawko]

From the Stuff.co.nz (online version of Fairfax NZ) an article on the new Crusader backline coaches has this quote:

"Following the recent and sudden resignation of former backs coach Daryl Gibson, who had been demoted to a defensive role because Blackadder was unhappy with the backline's performances, the Crusaders advertised for an attack and defence coach."

I guess this is the flipside of "Gibson's a wonder coach".

 

[I like to watch]

Hawko, as always the truth will be somewhere in the middle.
He doesn't need much to improve them, they are coming off a pretty low base.

 

[Bruce Ross]

From the Stuff.co.nz (online version of Fairfax NZ) an article on the new Crusader backline coaches has this quote:

"Following the recent and sudden resignation of former backs coach Daryl Gibson, who had been demoted to a defensive role because Blackadder was unhappy with the backline's performances, the Crusaders advertised for an attack and defence coach."

Have we been flogged another dud? We could become an international laughing stock, being outsmarted twice by Kiwis, who are renowned for not only being flightless but also the least cerebral among the avian species.
.

 

[MrMouse]

Have we been flogged another dud? We could become an international laughing stock, being outsmarted twice by Kiwis, who are renowned for not only being flightless but also the least cerebral among the avian species.
.

The thing I think I have missed most about the forums here, Bruce, is your eloquence and turn of phrase.

Also, given that we kept the last dud I'm not sure we can complain about the next one. We shall see...

 

[Inside Shoulder]

From the Stuff.co.nz (online version of Fairfax NZ) an article on the new Crusader backline coaches has this quote:

"Following the recent and sudden resignation of former backs coach Daryl Gibson, who had been demoted to a defensive role because Blackadder was unhappy with the backline's performances, the Crusaders advertised for an attack and defence coach."

I guess this is the flipside of "Gibson's a wonder coach".

He was appointed for 2009: they've finished 4th or second every year since and been without McCaw and carter for the start of and during a good many of those seasons.
In my feeble recollection I can't say I've really seen a change in their attack - there was a memorable night in Nelson when they dismantled the Tahs when I do specifically recall the venom in their attack.
So I'm think that he may have been a sacrifice to the gods in charge of Blackadders coaching career in lieu of actually winning the thing under his coaching.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[fatprop]

Again we have two backs coaches

I would be very interested to see how Gibson & Gaffney will work together, one of the issues this season was the backs being told different things ie was Gaffney or Bowen in charge?

In the end it appeared that no one was in charge

 

[Braveheart81]

The Tahs have a Wallaby forward pack and that is our biggest strength.

If Gibson and Gaffney can turn our backline into just a middle of the road Super Rugby backline that scores the average number of backline tries then we should do well.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

It was interesting to hear Chieka saying that the team attack is the key for winning games, and defense is the teams insurance, to be relied on in case of an emergency.

 

[#1 Tah]

That should be logical really, the aim of rugby is to:
1. Have fun
2. Score more points than the other team

not concede less points than the other team.

 

[Hawko]

That should be logical really, the aim of rugby is to:
1. Have fun
2. Score more points than the other team

not concede less points than the other team.

I might even agree with you but those around the Greenwich longitude do not seem to think its all that obvious or logical.

 

[Lindommer]

The Tahs have a Wallaby forward pack and that is our biggest strength.

We've had one since Super rugby started, and look where that's got us.

 

[qwerty51]

Well the last time we had full Wallaby pack we went to the GF in 2008.

 

[Ash]

I reckon that if the Tahs focus solely on their Wallaby forward pack they are wasting what is potentially a great backline. Even if the pack doesn't fire in a game then the backline could be enough to win on their own.

On paper, surely the Tahs have better than a middle of the road backline. With Cooper gone, I reckon it's the best backline in Aus. The headache will be getting the right players in the right positions - particularly the centres.

If the Tahs stay uninjured, they're definitely my pick for the top Aus side next year.

 

[Braveheart81]

I reckon that if the Tahs focus solely on their Wallaby forward pack they are wasting what is potentially a great backline. Even if the pack doesn't fire in a game then the backline could be enough to win on their own.

On paper, surely the Tahs have better than a middle of the road backline. With Cooper gone, I reckon it's the best backline in Aus. The headache will be getting the right players in the right positions - particularly the centres.

If the Tahs stay uninjured, they're definitely my pick for the top Aus side next year.

My original point was that with the quality of our forward pack, our backline only have to become decent (as opposed to positively terrible in 2012) for us to become a strong side again.

The focus most definitely has to be on improving our backline for 2013. This was the team's biggest downfall in 2012. Even with a strong forward pack and a dominant scrum, our backs couldn't score any points.

I agree that on paper we have good backs. Our biggest weakness is the fact that our two weakest backline positions are 9 and 10 which can dramatically reduce the effectiveness of the rest of the backline. That should improve in 2013 with McKibbin and Hart now more experienced and Foley (if he ends up being the 10 option) also has a whole season under his belt and should hopefully be a solid option at 10 in 2013.

 

[Braveheart81]

A while ago I remember mention of a potential GAGR Chrismtas Drinks (maybe at The Rugby Club) on the last Friday of work (Friday 21 December).

I'd be keen. Are other people interested?

 

[Richo]

Again we have two backs coaches

I would be very interested to see how Gibson & Gaffney will work together, one of the issues this season was the backs being told different things ie was Gaffney or Bowen in charge?

In the end it appeared that no one was in charge

I thought that Gaffney was Director of Coaching? Wouldn't that assume he has no hands-on responsibilities?

 

[topo]

Apparently he is in charge of attack from set piece.