Waratahs 2014

[Cat_A]

Superb effort by the Waratahs' Media Unit. The lead-in to their report on last night's game:

"NSW Waratahs’ coach Michael Cheika admitted his side is not perfect but emphasised they won’t be giving up after suffering their first loss of the season."

Three games in, two wins by 22 and 27 points, then a loss by 5. And the main message they want to get out is that "they won't be giving up". Who wrote this? If it's an unpaid intern kid best to shift them onto filing or tidying up desks without making a fuss. But if it was written by someone claiming to be a journo, the first thing to do is to back check their credentials and then garbage bag them out of the joint; unless of course they would like to have a go at being CEO. That's a position that has needed filling at Driver Avenue for quite some time.
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Bruce I don't think you should be quick to turf someone who has so clearly been with the Tahs for more than a year. The time it would take for another staff member to become conversant with the rich history and culture of NSW rugby could be better spent doing, well, other stuff.

 

[Gnostic]

I had actually hoped to see an improvement this year in the lineout with the advantage of having two locks that could jump. I mean even Wil Skelton can jump a bit.

A major flaw in the Tahs last year the lineout is proving a major weakness for them again. It is disappointing and I don't know if the solution is personnel or coaching, though I'd certainly say that Hoiles for Dennis couldn't make it worse and Hoiles gives more around the park.

I would also agree with other posters in saying that Ryan should be benched for Kepu. The Tahs scrum has been a source of strength for many years, yet with the advent of the new laws this has been blunted. Perhaps thought needs to be given to looking away from Robinson at LHP as well.

No time for panic buttons, it took a massive effort for the Brumbies to hold out the Tahs, but confidence in first phase possession is a must to be a true title contender.

 

[Braveheart81]

A major flaw in the Tahs last year the lineout is proving a major weakness for them again. It is disappointing and I don't know if the solution is personnel or coaching, though I'd certainly say that Hoiles for Dennis couldn't make it worse and Hoiles gives more around the park.

The lineout was worst in the game Hoiles started.

I don't think our lineout did too badly against the Brumbies considering they have close to the best in the comp.

It was certainly an improvement over the effort against the Reds.


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[Gnostic]

The lineout was worst in the game Hoiles started.

I don't think our lineout did too badly against the Brumbies considering they have close to the best in the comp.

It was certainly an improvement over the effort against the Reds.


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Yes I agree with what you are saying regarding Hoiles and the lineout in what was his first starting game, but it has been far from secure in any game.

You can certainly see my point about the need for that security on the set pieces to truly be a title contender.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

<snip> ....to truly be a title contender.

Hush up that talk.

We have all been here before (16 times).

Tahs become title contenders when the wheels are still on the Tahs Bandwagon at the end of July. All bets are off before then.

 

[Gnostic]

Hush up that talk.

We have all been here before (16 times).

Tahs become title contenders when the wheels are still on the Tahs Bandwagon at the end of July. All bets are off before then.

Read my post with the other glasses on and I'm saying that they aren't contenders because of the doubt surrounding the set pieces.

That better?

 

[Hugh Jarse]

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Short, unambiguous, straight to the point, and unlikely to be misinterpreted. Great post @boyo .

 

[barbarian]

The lineout was worst in the game Hoiles started.

I don't think our lineout did too badly against the Brumbies considering they have close to the best in the comp.

It was certainly an improvement over the effort against the Reds.


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Yeah we won 11 of 12 lineouts, and a few were scrappy but I don't think it was nearly as bad as the scrum. Against the Brumbies I think that's a pretty decent lineout effort.
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[boyo]

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[Train Without a Station]

The lineout was worst in the game Hoiles started.

I don't think our lineout did too badly against the Brumbies considering they have close to the best in the comp.

It was certainly an improvement over the effort against the Reds.


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Consider though, that the Reds had just towelled up the Brumbies line out the week prior to that also. Probably more a reflection of the opposition line out than any drop in the strength of theirs.

 

[qwerty51]

I'd be looking at dropping Douglas for Petersen, he's been doing his apprenticeship for 3 or 4 years now and has always looked the goods

I laughed hard at this.

 

[Dave Beat]

We've seen the poker face, has anybody seen his full time last Saturday face?

one game, and whilst the scoreboard did us favours - as boyo said Keep Calm and Carry On

 

[deL]

Judging by comments here and in the news threads I seem to be the only one who thinks Douglas is doing very well and contributing a lot. Does anyone care to enlighten me?

 

[Braveheart81]

Judging by comments here and in the news threads I seem to be the only one who thinks Douglas is doing very well and contributing a lot. Does anyone care to enlighten me?

I think Douglas has been good this season. Certainly having more impact than he did in the early rounds of 2013.

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[qwerty51]

Yes, his physicality is very good, hitting rucks ferociously and making dominant tackles however he needs to take some responsibility for the failing lineout.

 

[Dave Beat]

Yes, his physicality is very good, hitting rucks ferociously and making dominant tackles however he needs to take some responsibility for the failing lineout.

Or is it the hooker putting it on the mark, the arc of the ball, the speed of the delivery, is the jumper coming forward or the jumper jumping back.

 

[qwerty51]

It's a bit of everything.

 

[Scythe]

The line out is always going to be hit and miss, with consistency being built over time with a dependable hooker and forwards who apply themselves to following the set patterns

I would think that these should be resolved or at least improved by mid season and if they aren't all factors should be assessed and stakeholders made accountable


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[Dave Beat]

The line out is always going to be hit and miss, with consistency being built over time with a dependable hooker and forwards who apply themselves to following the set patterns

I would think that these should be resolved or at least improved by mid season and if they aren't all factors should be assessed and stakeholders made accountable


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That is true, time will improve the precision.

 

[Pfitzy]

Third game in lads. Came away with a bonus point despite being arse for 60 minutes. Lineout will improve, or another facet of the game will ramp up to mitigate it.

Faith in Cheik.