Pass it to Dunning!
Bob Loudon (25)
Taqele was pretty good when I saw him with the Rams, but I suspect Kellaway will be a better option than him on the bench. Horne and Betham starting, for mine.
Waratahs 2015
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gowaratahs
Sydney Middleton (9)
I think you can lock in Horne and Betham to start, with Taqele on the bench. Kellaway still has a long way to go before he's ready to play with professional adults, as I saw him (at the ground) in the Shute Shield twice later last year and when getting the ball on or just before the defensive line he just stopped dead (no step, no swerve - not keen to make contact). His finishing is impressive as we saw in the U20s and the NRC, though you don't get the same space in S15s as you might at the lower or junior level.
I think his positional play defensively is sound on the wing, though again there's more to be done in committing to either player X or player Y when it's not 1-on-1. This was pretty clear when he played fullback at North Sydney Oval.
Certainly looking forward to him starring for Gen Blue, and coming onto the bench when he's further developed (by those pretty handy developers we know and love) - though it remains to be seen if he can be more than just a bloody good finisher at S15 level.
Taqele also needs to do finishing school before he's ready to challenge for Betham's wing. Not sure what he's like under the high ball, and can he turn faster than Nadolo/Sailor? I'd like to see him take pressure off the forwards as much as possible (the way Tuqiri did, especially in 2007), and again he's in good hands at the Tahs.
I like Betham when he's hot, he can be awesome (eg. NPC a couple of years back) but when he makes one error it's often followed by 2 or 3 more. He loves combining with Izzy, and I look forward to some exciting play as long as he can keep himself fit.
Go Tahs!
I think his positional play defensively is sound on the wing, though again there's more to be done in committing to either player X or player Y when it's not 1-on-1. This was pretty clear when he played fullback at North Sydney Oval.
Certainly looking forward to him starring for Gen Blue, and coming onto the bench when he's further developed (by those pretty handy developers we know and love) - though it remains to be seen if he can be more than just a bloody good finisher at S15 level.
Taqele also needs to do finishing school before he's ready to challenge for Betham's wing. Not sure what he's like under the high ball, and can he turn faster than Nadolo/Sailor? I'd like to see him take pressure off the forwards as much as possible (the way Tuqiri did, especially in 2007), and again he's in good hands at the Tahs.
I like Betham when he's hot, he can be awesome (eg. NPC a couple of years back) but when he makes one error it's often followed by 2 or 3 more. He loves combining with Izzy, and I look forward to some exciting play as long as he can keep himself fit.
Go Tahs!
I reckon Kellaway will play a test for the Wallabies by the end of 2016.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Very underrated Jim Allen at 10 there.
Dave Beat
Paul McLean (56)
Yes they created space on the outside by running straight and second touches
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Tombs was a poor man's Horan - and in saying that I may be damning him with faint praise because IMO he got the better of Horan in a number of State of the Union clashes, having said that Horan is the best 12 I've seen.
Makes you realise how much cross field running is tolerated in the name of genius at the moment.
Dave Beat
Paul McLean (56)
I agree, as with Wells. But I also think they had the benefit of a very wise coach back then that had them playing awesome ball in hand rugby. Plus they had the test back three at the time.
Horan - best 12 you've seen, yes and in my eyes his best test rugby was played under the same coach.
rimmerdee
Stan Wickham (3)
Rumour has it Naiyaravaro will be wearing a blue jersey in 2015. It just may not be a Tahs one.
He is signed for 2015. This would require both him wanting to leave and the Tahs to release him.
What's the source of your rumour?
By my count we've lost 5 players from the 36 squad members from 2014 (35 originals plus Hoiles who came in as an injury reserve for Chapman). They are Matt Lucas, Michael Hodge, Alofa Alofa, Kane Douglas and Cam Crawford.
We've already gained three in Hoiles, Kellaway and Sam Lousi so there should be two spots left.
Auvasa Faleali'i would seem likely for the third halfback role leaving one spot.
Based on what we've seen, Jack Dempsey, Henry Clunies-Ross, Jim Stewart, Dave Porecki and Matt Philip are all training with the squad.
I really like the look of Jim Stewart so I'd sign him as another centre.
Also, does anyone know who the guy is between Mike Ala'alatoa and Tolu Latu?
No idea. Would seem strange to have him and Porecki at training given we already have three hookers contracted. I'm assuming Hugh Roach isn't training for a spot again.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Agreed.
So for anyone that cares, the mystery guy in the photo above is Thierry Marcial Kounga Kuate.
He played in the 2014 Vodacom Cup for Valke. Unsurprisingly, he's a prop.
He played in the 2014 Vodacom Cup for Valke. Unsurprisingly, he's a prop.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Hold the "unsurprisingly": he's shorter than TPN - are we going back to the days of Tommy the Turtle Lawton (no bad thing!)
If he can play THP, we could have an incredibly short front row of Robbo, Latu and Kuate. At 183cm, Robbo would be a veritable giant amongst them.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
So we're going to tunnel under them?
I do believe that Crockett would be even worse when confronted with this approach but thats only 1 game.
Jagman
Trevor Allan (34)
Foreign development player?
Possibly. I have no idea if he's got any contract at this stage.
Certainly nothing has been made public to my knowledge.
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