It's hard to judge players, or coaches for that matter, before the season starts although the trials will be revealing.
- 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.
That's interesting. 1.94 and never played lock for the Bulls. He is an out and out blindside but hey it could work he is physical enough.
Why on earth would you disrupt the excellent Horne-AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) centre pairing? I feel like Horne was the best 12 in Australia and was robbed this year by not getting the Wallabies spot.
You should really go for:
Phipps, Foley, Crawford, Horne, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Folau, Beale
I mean, Beale at 15 is Beale at this best. Folau on the wing allows him to be on the end of a LOT of plays as well as receive those cross field kicks without drawing too many defenders. His ability to break tackles will lets him score tries in 1v1 or 1v2 scenarios.
Crawford is a great finisher as well so he will work very well at 11. He is also solid on defense. Horne and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) are a rock in the midfield and can attack any defense with a chance of getting through or drawing defenders, so they will make breaks whether they're the ones who exploit them or not.
Phipps is just a great player and will get to breakdowns and distribute well. Foley can run, pass or kick and is just your best option at 10.
McKibbon, Lance, Betham is your best backline bench. Every spot is covered.
I am not convinced AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 13 will allow the wingers to get away properly
Did anyone catch a glimpse of the internal trial this afternoon ? Big way to end the pre season.
What about KB (Kurtley Beale) at 12Most of the christmas prep is done, so here's a matchday 23 I'd like to see from the Waratahs:
1 Benn Robinson
2 Tatafu Polota-Nau
3 Sekope Kepu
4 Will Skelton
5 Kane Douglas
6 Jacques Potgieter
7 Michael Hooper
8 Dave Dennis (c)
9 Nick Phipps
10 Bernard Foley
11 Cam Crawford
12 Rob Horne
13 Adam Ashley-Cooper
14 Israel Folau
15 Kurtley Beale
16 Tolu Latu
17 Jeremy Tilse
18 Paddy Ryan
19 Jed Holloway
20 Wycliff Palu
21 Brendan McKibbon
22 Jono Lance
23 Peter Betham
Next years alternate jersey, Ponies won't be pleased about the design on the back:
Next years alternate jersey, Ponies won't be pleased about the design on the back:
Next years alternate jersey, Ponies won't be pleased about the design on the back:
Then I'm in!It'll make their waists look slimmer.
What about KB (Kurtley Beale) at 12
Horne at 13
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at 14
IF at 15?
Of the above only KB (Kurtley Beale) is an unknown in his position.pretty much the entire backline can crashball,so KB (Kurtley Beale) needn't do that.
Next years alternate jersey, Ponies won't be pleased about the design on the back: