Waratahs 2014

[fatprop]

So it's a utility forward. Why? Replace Timani?

Both Potgieters signed in Japan so not them.

Stegmann (openside) and Flip (lock) are not utility players, nor are Mellet (prop) or Willemse (lock).

So that leaves Hattingh (lock, 7 or 8) and Ross (7 or 8)

Hattingh is the replacement for Juandre Kruger and he has been talked up in Bulls country for some time. Very athletic, skilled player. Much like a young Matfield was. Hard to see the Bulls let him go but maybe he wants to move overseas?

I know nothing about Ross.

Anyway, the Waratahs have a disastrous history with Saffers. Third time lucky? I'd say rather let the idea go but Hattingh would be a very good player to sign and he is only 22.

If they are losing Timani, Chapman & Atkins (& Peterson (?)) they need a mature lock/6 with a bit of mongrel, as well as a youngling like Coleman

 

[Train Without a Station]

The only one that I can think of is Tiaan Strauss (I think that he was "neutralised").

He is referring to Heindrik Roodt and Sarel Pretorious. Both average recruitments for the Tahs.

 

[barbarian]

Blue

What about Arno Botha?

 

[Zander]

Flip van der Merwe is the only one that fits the profile. As if. Growden talking shit once again.

 

[Lee Grant]

Blue

What about Arno Botha?

One of the most under-rated players in Super Rugby - even by the Bulls.

He didn't get as much game time as he deserved - nor did Jacques Engelbrecht of the Kings - or is he in Japan?

Not Pieter Labuschagne of the Cheetahs, surely.

But they are not utility players who can play in the 2nd row.

Are we only talking about Bulls players? Flip would do me: he's a character.
.

 

[Bairdy]

It would be Grant Hattingh as the lock/backrow player if the Tahs decide to sign him. But not sure why anyone is taking that article seriously; it's Growden after all...

 

[Zander]

Hattingh is signed until the end of 2014.

 

[sudrugby]

Flip van der Merwe is contracted until the end of 2014

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Super15/Bulls-extend-Flips-contract-20120601

 

[sudrugby]

Apparently it will be Jacques Potgieter!
After his stint in Japan he was supposed to play for the Saracens in London but it might have changed!

http://www.sharksworld.co.za/2013/08/01/pottie-set-for-surprise-tahs-switch/

 

[Lee Grant]

He's a goer - he was one of the Bulls best against the Brumbies in the semi-final.

He's a 3M type - makes dominant tackles and dominant runs with the ball.

Sign him up.

 

[Zander]

That's a huge signing. Very good ball runner.

 

[Nusadan]

(Gr)Humble pie for those who thought Grumbles was talking thru his nose when he wrote that article!

 

[fatprop]

Great signing if true, I watched him be a one man wrecking ball in attack and defence last year against the Tahs in Sydney

He smashed anyone who can near him and continually bent the line.

 

[fatprop]

good point from PR on this deal, it may not be instead of Saracens but ... ...

It's not either/or. He could play in Japan now, then play Super Rugby, then move to Saracens next August. Sounds like a one season deal. Still a good signing.

Saracens may end up with a very tired and possibly broken unit

 

[barbarian]

Because I am bored, I have picked a hypothetical Tahs 22, assuming the planets align and we sign Potgeiter, Folau and Beale:

1. Robbo
2. TPN
3. Kepu
4. Skelton
5. Douglas
6. Dennis
7. Hooper
8. Palu
9. Phipps
10. Foley
11. Crawford
12. Horne
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Folau
15. Beale

16. ???
17. Ryan
18. Tilse???
19. ???
20. Potgeiter
21. McKibbin
22. Volavola
23. Betham
.

 

[Hawko]

Because I am bored, I have picked a hypothetical Tahs 22, assuming the planets align and we sign Potgeiter, Folau and Beale:

1. Robbo
2. TPN
3. Kepu
4. Skelton
5. Douglas
6. Dennis
7. Hooper
8. Palu
9. Phipps
10. Foley
11. Crawford
12. Horne
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Folau
15. Beale

16. ???
17. Ryan
18. Tilse???
19. ???
20. Potgeiter
21. McKibbin
22. Volavola
23. Betham
.

That is a seriously good 23. Hooker is the huge issue and lock is a bit thin, but everywhere else is absolute quality. If we can learn to win the close ones we can have some real hope in 2014.

I wonder whether Potgeiter will play 6 and Dennis 5, with Skelton off the bench for massive impact in the last 20?

 

[Lindommer]

That is a seriously good 23. Hooker is the huge issue and lock is a bit thin.....

Which makes retaining Chapman and (hopefully) signing Coleman imperative.

 

[Zander]

Bulls and Springboks flanker Jacques Potgieter will join Saracens after his stint in Japan, according to the Rugby Paper.
The flanker played a starring role in the Bulls' Super Rugby semi-final defeat to the Brumbies and had previously agreed to a six-month sabbatical in Japan where he will run out for Fukuoka Sanix Blues. But rather than go back to the Bulls, where he was contracted to until 2015, reports suggest he will journey to Saracens and link-up with the big-spending Aviva Premiership side in 2014.
"Jacques is the ultimate flanker," Bulls high performance manager Xander Janse van Rensburg told the Rugby Paper. "He is a magnificent athlete who is big and a very strong ball carrier, he's a world-class player no doubt about it. And on top of that he is a fighter, he loves the physical stuff and is not afraid to get his hands dirty and do the smaller things.
"Saracens will suit him down to the ground, I have been to Saracens and experienced the environment they are creating. It will fit him like a glove, it's almost a home away from home considering how much Afrikaans you can hear about the place."

http://www.espnscrum.com/southafrica/rugby/story/192893.html

 

[Gnostic]

Because I am bored, I have picked a hypothetical Tahs 22, assuming the planets align and we sign Potgeiter, Folau and Beale:

1. Robbo
2. TPN
3. Kepu
4. Skelton
5. Douglas
6. Dennis
7. Hooper
8. Palu
9. Phipps
10. Foley
11. Crawford
12. Horne
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
14. Folau
15. Beale

16. ???
17. Ryan
18. Tilse???
19. ???
20. Potgeiter
21. McKibbin
22. Volavola
23. Betham
.

Leave Betham on the wing and Folau at 15 and I would be happy with that squad. Beale is no where near as good under a high ball as Folau, and the few kicks we have seen from Folau I would have him far superior in that department as well.

 

[Blue]

Blue

What about Arno Botha?

One of Meyer's golden boys. He is being looked after. He will be a core bok squad member for years to come.