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Waratahs 2014

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Lindommer

Simon Poidevin (60)
Staff member
The more I think about it the more I can't work out why Potgieter was signed. We need another tall second-rower, or two, especially someone who can play 60+ minutes a game for about seven or eight weeks in a row. Is Jacques that man? The record so far for players combining a NH stint going straight into a Super season isn't good, more so for tight five players.

If Potgieter's not fit/gets crocked who'll partner Douglas in the second row? Are any of Holloway, Peterson or Skelton up to regular game time? I hope so.
 

Brumby Runner

Jason Little (69)
The more I think about the more I can't work out why Potgieter was signed. We need another tall second-rower, or two, especially someone who can play 60+ minutes a game for about seven or eight weeks in a row. Is Jacques that man? The record so far for players combining a NH stint going straight into a Super season isn't good, more so for tight five players.

If Potgieter's not fit/gets crocked who'll partner Douglas in the second row? Are any of Holloway, Peterson or Skelton up to regular game time? I hope so.

For an outsider's view, and I know it doesn't accord with knowledgable Tahs' supporters' views, but I am quietly confident that Skelton will be able to fill the 60 - 80 minute player role. For the Wallabies' sake, I sincerely hope so.
 

Inside Shoulder

Nathan Sharpe (72)
For an outsider's view, and I know it doesn't accord with knowledgable Tahs' supporters' views, but I am quietly confident that Skelton will be able to fill the 60 - 80 minute player role. For the Wallabies' sake, I sincerely hope so.

I my not be in this category but based on what I saw of him last year I would back him.
Lee will know how he trains and has trained in the off season to date but his attitude on the field seemed excellent to me so I would expect a pretty positive report on the off season and, assuming that, I predict a huge year for him.
 

Lee Grant

John Eales (66)
Palu, Cliff (4) - Copy.JPG

Cliffy Palu is doing a bit more work in skills exercises before the Xmas break:

Some of the Under 20 players joined the Tahs session today and had a ball.

For 10 brownie points who is the player on the left of this photo? (Not Under 20)
IMG_0324b.jpg

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Lee Grant

John Eales (66)
10 brownie points intruder - the Hair Bear had his dreadlocks cut off during the week and I hardly recognised him today.

Before the haircut:

Metcher, Tim (2).JPG

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Nusadan

Chilla Wilson (44)
Re the above pics: I've never seen knees almost hidden like that by these huge quads, seems very unnatural!

He'll have a hard time finding off the rack jeans to fit his enormous thighs!
 

fatprop

George Gregan (70)
Staff member
I my not be in this category but based on what I saw of him last year I would back him.
Lee will know how he trains and has trained in the off season to date but his attitude on the field seemed excellent to me so I would expect a pretty positive report on the off season and, assuming that, I predict a huge year for him.

I said it earlier in the thread, but it is worth remembering this is his first off season as a pro rugby player.

There should be marked improvements in his physique and conditioning after a year of full time training and dietary advice
 

Tomikin

David Codey (61)
I said it earlier in the thread, but it is worth remembering this is his first off season as a pro rugby player.

There should be marked improvements in his physique and conditioning after a year of full time training and dietary advice

Does it show ? Or does he look the same ?I know looks csn be deceiving.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
 

fatprop

George Gregan (70)
Staff member
Does it show ? Or does he look the same ?I know looks csn be deceiving.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
Lindo said his puppy fat is gone earlier

Just left the members' Christmas party at the Rugby Club, which was attended by Hodges, Lance, McCutcheon and Skelton. Big Willie's lost a lot of puppy fat, he's a tall bastard and now looks like proper second-rower. Here's hoping...

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
 

BPC

Phil Hardcastle (33)
In 2012 McKibbin had one of the best goal-kicking percentages in the competition but he lapsed last season and in 2014 he will likely be displaced by Phipps anyway.

Barnes has gone, Foley is nothing special and although Beale has returned to the Tahs, his good goal kicking is episodic.

All we need is a few lessons from Bram van Stratten via Skype. I'm sure that will work.
 

Lee Grant

John Eales (66)
I my not be in this category but based on what I saw of [Skelton] last year I would back him.
Lee will know how he trains and has trained in the off season to date but his attitude on the field seemed excellent to me so I would expect a pretty positive report on the off season and, assuming that, I predict a huge year for him.

It's hard to judge players, or coaches for that matter, before the season starts although the trials will be revealing.

I've probably seen more Tahs' training for the 2014 season than anybody else not connected with the team and, for the purposes of comparison, it was probably the same for last year (at least until Izzy arrived and it was a circus).

I'm trying to think on some points now the players are on their Xmas break.

- Skelton is one point. When training is opposed and they are wearing their combat gear, Will is by far the hardest guy to stop—see a couple of photos in the slideshow at the bottom of this blog: http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/cheika-look-for-new-waratahs/

I know this doesn't answer the question: can he start in Super Rugby week after week and stay on the park for 60 minutes, at least; but it's a question that shouldn't be asked until the season starts, because it can't be.

- Kurtley is like Izzy last year: the hardest to grab one on one, or even two on one. It's interesting that he is wearing the 13 bib for his unit.

- Cheika has ramped up some of the stuff he was light on last year, or was late on last year because of the early attacking imperative for the 2013 season: goal-line attack and defence, choke tackle and breakdown for and against. Lots of work in those areas.

- Cheika is relentless, probably more than last year, as I remember, but the players seem to respond. And he can be so bloody funny. If the Tahs happen to win the comp in 2014 I will give a quote that had me in stitches. I don't think Cheik will mind in that circumstance but I don't think it's appropriate otherwise to quote a coach in an unguarded moment.

- Nathan Grey is looking like an experienced coach, which he obviously is not. A quote from him is appropriate: "If you clean out a player from a ruck and he gets back into it, you haven't done your job."

- As people who have watched David Horwitz start first grade for Randwick will know, he is not the full package yet, but geez, for a 19-year-old flyhalf he has no problems running a backline of senior players.

- Jono Lance is looking good in this regard also; he had a top session yesterday.
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