Waratahs 2013

[Hawko]

If the Tahs cannot win the conference this season there is no particular reason that they should be able to do any better the following season, unless there are a couple of big acquisitions in the wings. Like a half-back, for example.

At risk of repeating myself, the Tahs have virtually no chance of achieving a top two finish and thereby a chance at the title this year. They are very unlikely to win the conference either. My reasons for saying this are:

• One of the SA teams will almost certainly top the table. A guaranteed ten points off the Kings will be too much of a leg-up for other teams to overcome. At this stage, based on the rosters, you'd have to like the Stormers.
• The NZ conference will be a dogfight as usual, but the Australian conference looks to be strong also. Both the Rebels and the Force have major points to prove and the Brumbies and Reds do look quite strong. So I'm expecting every derby to be close with few bonus points on offer.
• The Lions tour preparation will impact severely on the Tahs forwards and the Reds backs. If we get a few pack injuries then the Tahs will have to recruit from Shute just to put a team on the park for the two weeks prior to the Tour tests. The Lions will also mean extra matches for the squads, which will add to the injury load on all the Aussie conference teams.
• The Tah squad is still quite unbalanced, with several positions (10 and 12 particularly) being very short on depth, while we could put three from 11/14/15 on loan and still have plenty of strength.

My expectation is the Brumbies will top the conference and take 3rd spot, the Reds to take 6th with the Tahs just outside the finals. 2014 will be our first decent chance to win the Super comp, when we have a full year of preparation under Cheika, a more balanced squad and no distractions.

 

[qwerty51]

I'm not expecting much from any Aus team purely on the Lions tour factor which will affect all 5 at the back end. SA conference all get free 10 points vs the Kings.

 

[Lindommer]

The rumour re Sitaleki Timani moving to Montpellier is starting to grow legs: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...a-move-to-france/story-e6frg7o6-1226563774237

 

[kiap]

French Rugby clubs hoovering up more talent.

The game must be spotless over there by now. Squeaky clean.

 

[fatprop]

• The Tah squad is still quite unbalanced, with several positions (10 and 12 particularly) being very short on depth, while we could put three from 11/14/15 on loan and still have plenty of strength.

I don't see it as a particular issue depth wise

10 is fine, Foley, Barnes, Lane & Volavola is adequate

12? Tom Carter, Berrick Barnes, Foley & AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) all played 12 last season

I can understand to want to add extra cover outwide, we have two test players who are coming back from career threatening injuries

 

[Lindommer]

I don't see it as a particular issue depth wise

10 is fine, Foley, Barnes, Lane & Volavola is adequate

12? Tom Carter, Berrick Barnes, Foley & AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) all played 12 last season

Some time ago our resident sage, His Ancientness Lee Grant, proclaimed a particular instance of a number of players in a position as one of width, not depth. He was alluding to the quantity of players in question, not their quality. In that vein I feel we have some width in the Tahs' 10 stakes, dunno about depth. Happy to be proved wrong.

As goes for the number 12 spot, it's unarguably one of width, not depth.

 

[Hawko]

I don't see it as a particular issue depth wise

10 is fine, Foley, Barnes, Lane & Volavola is adequate

12? Tom Carter, Berrick Barnes, Foley & AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) all played 12 last season

I can understand to want to add extra cover outwide, we have two test players who are coming back from career threatening injuries

Of the four candidates for 10, two are totally inexperienced and one is probably our starting fullback. Only one player has 12 as his first choice positon. Barnes starts at 15, Foley at 10 and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 13. Call me old fashioned, but in a 30 man squad I want two players in each position who have that spot as their first choice. Then the EPS is to give extra cover for the specialists.

 

[fatprop]

yeah, the Tahs still lack that world class 10, as they have since Mark Ella

 

[Dave Beat]

Of the four candidates for 10, two are totally inexperienced and one is probably our starting fullback. Only one player has 12 as his first choice positon. Barnes starts at 15, Foley at 10 and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 13. Call me old fashioned, but in a 30 man squad I want two players in each position who have that spot as their first choice. Then the EPS is to give extra cover for the specialists.

Hawko spot on;

I'm okay with 10, so long as we pick people in their position, player choice may very between each one of us. Mine Lane or Volavola.
On the Tah's roster if the players chose their position we have one 12, and one 13 - the heart of a backline is 12 & 13 - it is that area that can / orchestrate the angles, bend the defence, make space on the outside & based on coaching of recent seasons we have lacked in this area.
Wings okay.
Fullback Barnes or Foley

 

[Richo]

yeah, the Tahs still lack that world class 10, as they have since Mark Ella

And it's essential to get one that is close, or at least perfectly suited to playing style such as Morne at the Bulls, to be a consistent contender in Super Rugby. That's the major reason I hope we see Foley get a decent run there to see if he can develop. World-class might be a stretch, but he could certainly become the right kind of 10 for Cheika's game plan.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

interesting to see the tahs have named McKibbon as captain for the trial, with Foley and Tilse(!) as VCs.

full squad here: http://www.waratahs.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/157/ArticleID/8280/Default.aspx

given the size I guess they will have alternate 1st and second half teams. Either way a good chance to tour with the squad for the invited guys like Aho, Skelton et al.

 

[Dave Beat]

interesting to see the tahs have named McKibbon as captain for the trial, with Foley and Tilse(!) as VCs.

full squad here: http://www.waratahs.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/157/ArticleID/8280/Default.aspx

given the size I guess they will have alternate 1st and second half teams. Either way a good chance to tour with the squad for the invited guys like Aho, Skelton et al.

It would be great if it was televised???????
Out of interest who would be responsable with regards to arranging this?

 

[rugbysmartarse]

It would be great if it was televised???????
Out of interest who would be responsable with regards to arranging this?

agreed. I would assume fox make that call. In future I hope they start doing more single camera internet feeds of trials as they did 2 years ago for trial matches against england. While not the best coverage, it at least provides an opportunity to see something.

 

[Dave Beat]

agreed. I would assume fox make that call. In future I hope they start doing more single camera internet feeds of trials as they did 2 years ago for trial matches against england. While not the best coverage, it at least provides an opportunity to see something.

So the Tah's may have approched Fox, and Fox said no???

 

[rugbysmartarse]

I'd assume all Super Rugby clubs would have spoken with fox re trials broadcasting. I doubt there would be an audience for it big enough to warrant the crew(s) from Fox.

 

[kiap]

interesting to see the tahs have named McKibbon as captain for the trial, with Foley and Tilse(!) as VCs.

full squad here: http://www.waratahs.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/157/ArticleID/8280/Default.aspx

given the size I guess they will have alternate 1st and second half teams. Either way a good chance to tour with the squad for the invited guys like Aho, Skelton et al.

Pretty much everyone except the Wallaby EOYT players are going to Hobart, but it's interesting that there are 6 props. Tilse may be have been named as VC but is Cheika giving him a wakeup call?

Looks like 3 others queued up behind and pressing him for LHP.

Jeremy Tilse (vice captain)
Michael Ala'alatoa (Southern Districts)*,
Dane Maraki (Manly)*
Tolu Latu (Sydney University)*

Richard Aho (Randwick)*
Wayne Borzak (Warringah)*

 

[topo]

Pretty much everyone except the Wallaby EOYT players are going to Hobart, but it's interesting that there are 6 props. Tilse may be have been named as VC but is Cheika giving him a wakeup call?

Looks like 3 others queued up behind and pressing him for LHP.

Jeremy Tilse (vice captain)
Michael Ala'alatoa (Southern Districts)*,
Dane Maraki (Manly)*
Tolu Latu (Sydney University)*

Richard Aho (Randwick)*
Wayne Borzak (Warringah)*

Or maybe Tilse is a hard working senior player who has the respect of the coach and the squad.

 

[qwerty51]

Good on Tilse for sticking with the Tahs behind such a pecking order, he could be playing consistently for any other franchise I reckon.

 

[kiap]

Good on Tilse for sticking with the Tahs behind such a pecking order, he could be playing consistently for any other franchise I reckon.

Could, would, maybe he should.

 

[Richo]

Fair enough.

The coach does seem to be running the rule over a lot of props, though. Six in this trial and another three wallaby props left at home.

Or he thinks attrition in the front row is likely to be high and thinks the trials are the best opportunity to essay a bunch of possible replacements.