Waratahs 2015

[Braveheart81]

Peterson's just 23 and finally injury-free, let's see how he goes in the NRC before putting a line through him.

We already had a line through him! Now there's a chance to rub the line out.

I certainly agree though that we should wait and see what happens with the NRC. Wouldn't be a bad option for Cheika to tell a couple of blokes that he's interested in them and if they go well they're a chance at a contract.

 

[fatprop]

I don't think he's interested, he could've stayed in France if he wanted to do continue. I think he's just doing the NRC as a swansong.

Just on Mafi, I'm sure he's family is in Sydney and that would've been his preference..

hasn't he signed for the Force?

 

[Braveheart81]

hasn't he signed for the Force?

Yes. Steve Mafi has been signed to the Force.

 

[qwerty51]

Yeah which is why it's puzzling he went there when it's been reported he came home for his family. We need a player like him.

 

[Braveheart81]

Yeah which is why it's puzzling he went there when it's been reported he came home for his family. We need a player like him.

He counts as a foreign player though doesn't he? And we've already got JacPot.

 

[qwerty51]

Of course completely slipped my mind. Makes perfect sense now. If he ever does change to Australian eligibility as has been reported come back to the Tahs!

 

[fatprop]

Steve Cummins from Eastwood looked a solid lock early in the season ................................... and he has been picked up by the Rebels

 

[It is what it is]

I wish them well but it's a no from me on Petersen and Cummins.

 

[Braveheart81]

I wish them well but it's a no from me on Petersen and Cummins.

Who's your pick?

 

[qwerty51]

Mitch Lees is playing for London Welsh in the Rugby Championship (div 2 in England). He's a similar player to Jared Barry but was better. I'd take Barry and Andrew Clyne before Cummins and Peterson. Tom Boidin had a gig with the Brumbies in 2011?

 

[It is what it is]

Who's your pick?

I don't know of a standout but there's plenty of time.
Cheika has demonstrated his ability to wait and get the right player before.

 

[It is what it is]

Mitch Lees is playing for London Welsh in the Rugby Championship (div 2 in England). He's a similar player to Jared Barry but was better. I'd take Barry and Andrew Clyne before Cummins and Peterson. Tom Boidin had a gig with the Brumbies in 2011?

Boidin is a no nonsense hard 'on baller' but is he big enough to play lock at Super Rugby level?

 

[qwerty51]

Liam Winton from Uni he did a knee this year but should be right for next year.

 

[It is what it is]

Liam Winton from Uni he did a knee this year but should be right for next year.

Don't know a lot about him but here's hoping.

 

[Hawko]

If our locks were Skelton, Potgieter, Chapman, Peterson I wouldn't feel too bad about the situation.

Braveheart: You are always looking for the bright side, but really that would be a poor locking roster to go into next season with. Chapman played really well at the end of the season but unless he can maintain that level of intensity and smarts over 80 minutes week in and week out, he's only going to be a bench player. Petersen has not ever performed to expectation yet. That leaves just Skelton and Potgieter who will have to remain injury free all season. Worse, it significantly reduces our lineout options.

Long term I see Skelton as Palu's replacement and I think giving him a couple of games at eight next year will be important preparation as well as handling Palu's workload, which will be massive in a World Cup year. We need another up-and-coming lock who is a lineout catcher and preferably a tight head side lock too. Finding one is the problem and we are already using our import card on Potgieter, so it has to be someone who is Wallaby-possible. A trip to Samoa or Fiji is probably our best shot - no one seems to have screamed out "pick me" in Shute. Maybe there's someone not yet contracted in the NRC; we'll have to wait and see.

 

[Braveheart81]

I completely get what you're saying Hawko and I agree that whatever we end up with is a huge downgrade because we've lost our best lock and will need our 4th choice to play.

I agree that there are no absolute standouts in the Shute Shield but would query whether an unknown player from the pacific islands who would come in as a foreign development player would be better equipped to play Super Rugby than Peterson or Barry etc.

One of the Aussies who is playing in the UK and is looking to come home could be good but it could be hard to fit amongst our salary demands.

 

[2bluesfan]

Talking of Steve Mafi, qwerty51 says

If he ever does change to Australian eligibility as has been reported come back to the Tahs!

I doubt Steve would have good memories of his time at the Tahs. But you can't say he wouldn't agree to come back - he is a professional player with all the trappings that brings, including a sportsman's limited shelf life. He's a very fine player IMO.

 

[qwerty51]

Well it was Michael Foley who told him he was too skinny to play Super Rugby and he's the one that took him back..

 

[Jagman]

Barry and Peterson were rated the best locks in Shute shield. Barry would have to lose some weight to be a super rugby player. He looks like a tall prop. Peterson has always been injured and looked good this year. There isn't anyone else at the moment but him but technically he'd just be replacing himself not Douglas. The Tahs have not used their foreign development spot for many years now. Maybe there's a young lock out there who wouldn't mind australian residency.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GaffaCHinO]

Talking of Steve Mafi, qwerty51 says

I doubt Steve would have good memories of his time at the Tahs. But you can't say he wouldn't agree to come back - he is a professional player with all the trappings that brings, including a sportsman's limited shelf life. He's a very fine player IMO.

Going by this I would say you may be right about his time at the tahs.

‘I’m really happy I came here. I didn’t want anything to do with the Waratahs and all the other Australian franchises were full. My only option was to go overseas but I thought I would play one season, then go back to Australia — that was my plan, anyway.’http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/ru...Mafi--Leicester-lock-exclusive-Chris-Foy.html

Was Interested to read today he will play for the rams in the NRC will be good to get a look at him before he comes to the force next year.