Waratahs 2015

[Wilson]

Latu did well this year and made the wallabies squad, I'd be very surprised if he was dumped for Roach.

 

[Gold Nugget]

Latu did well this year and made the wallabies squad, I'd be very surprised if he was dumped for Roach.

he played ok let's be honest he made the Wallabies squad because he was the last option for hooker because of the injuries to other players . My option watching these two players over the years Roach has a bigger skill set

 

[Wilson]

He was far from the last option, picked when TPN broke his arm above Fainga'a, Hanson, Tessman and Mann-Rea. Roach wasn't the best hooker in the NRC, probably wasn't even the best in his team. There is very little to suggest he should be picked over Latu.

 

[qwerty51]

They both hardly played because amazingly TPN stayed injury free up until 35 minutes to go in the final. It will be an interesting battle for #2.

 

[Gold Nugget]

He was far from the last option, picked when TPN broke his arm above Fainga'a, Hanson, Tessman and Mann-Rea. Roach wasn't the best hooker in the NRC, probably wasn't even the best in his team. There is very little to suggest he should be picked over Latu.

Has not done enough to became a Wallabie I know he made the squad , in my opinion he has not proved himself playing 10-20mins of super rugby

 

[Gold Nugget]

They both hardly played because amazingly TPN stayed injury free up until 35 minutes to go in the final. It will be an interesting battle for #2.

I agree they both hardly had enough game time this position is open it will be interesting . Latu would make a good prop my opinion

 

[brumbies20years]

Latu did well this year and made the wallabies squad, I'd be very surprised if he was dumped for Roach.

Latu can't throw to save himself

 

[Gold Nugget]

Latu can't throw to save himself

You said it I agree ,proof super rugby final he was terrible!

 

[ShtinaTina]

He was far from the last option, picked when TPN broke his arm above Fainga'a, Hanson, Tessman and Mann-Rea. Roach wasn't the best hooker in the NRC, probably wasn't even the best in his team. There is very little to suggest he should be picked over Latu.

Ah Latu was picked when TPN did his knee, Latu then broke his right forearm. But yes was selected above Hanson, Fainga'a, Tessman & Man-Rea. Tessman was 3rd hooker for the French tests but pretty sure was injured for the TRC & EOYT.

 

[Lee Grant]

http://www.waratahs.com.au/Waratahs/Team/SuperRugbySquad.aspx

Do you mean this "poster" or is there a team shot already? There's only 31 here, but no sign of Lousi nor Kellaway.

Those 31 are in, although I don't recall that an announcement was made about Mike Ala'alatoa or Hugh Roach. I don't recall that Andrew Kellaway was officially announced either but he is in. Sam Lousi was announced officially.

That would make 33.

Auvasa Faleli'i will be in as the third scrumhalf to make 34.

But I have heard that flanker Jack Dempsey and wing Henry Clunies-Ross, who have been outstanding pre-season, will also be named. That adds up to 36; so if 35 is the right number some of my info must be bunk.

Jim Stewart, Matt Philip, Dave Porecki and prop Eni Folau (Izzy's brother) will stay with the training group.
.

 

[Wilson]

Sorry, I confused Latu's and TPN's injuries. As far as Tessman goes I think he was about to be called in for cover on the Perth test against SA but was injured in the NRC and Mann-Rea replaced him, I don't think he was in the frame for the French tests.

 

[Lee Grant]

They both hardly played because amazingly TPN stayed injury free up until 35 minutes to go in the final. It will be an interesting battle for #2.

It will be interesting.

Latu's problem is that he throws too shallow, like a darts player. That is easy meat for a team who have a second row of Whitelock and Romano, for example, in their lineout, because all they have to do is to get up at the right time if the intended catcher is behind them, even slightly.

It's better to thread the needle with more of a lob so that poachers have to be up at the right time, but also in the right place.

Roach has been manic at Tahs pre-season training around the field, but he has had his own problems with lineout throwing in the past.
.

 

[Braveheart81]

I think that Hugh Roach is a better option at hooker than Latu . He is more versatile player all round , about time Cheika picks him on the bench & give him game time

he played ok let's be honest he made the Wallabies squad because he was the last option for hooker because of the injuries to other players . My option watching these two players over the years Roach has a bigger skill set

You said it I agree ,proof super rugby final he was terrible!

Are you related to Hugh on your Mother or Father's side?

I rate Hugh Roach and I think he's got plenty of talent. From what we've seen so far it's hard to say that Latu or Roach are a significantly better player than the other. Latu was probably preferred at Super Rugby level due to his extra bulk and physicality. Roach is quite a dynamic runner but whether he has the necessary size to play in the front row in Super Rugby and be successful is still unknown.

Hopefully they both get reasonable minutes off the bench this year.

Aside from stuffing up a lineout in the Super Rugby final, Latu did an admirable job filling in for TPN. It's hard to argue that he didn't step up to the plate and play well in the biggest game of his career.

 

[fatprop]

Jim Stewart, Matt Philip, Dave Porecki and prop Eni Folau (Izzy's brother) will stay with the training group.
.

why?

what has he done to deserve it?

 

[Braveheart81]

why?

what has he done to deserve it?

Maybe they think he has good genes?

Presumably he's been asked to train for free.

 

[wamberal]

Latu can't throw to save himself

Learning to throw is relatively easy, shirley?

 

[Gold Nugget]

Are you related to Hugh on your Mother or Father's side?

Lol not related at all , with TPN injuries his career could be at a end, the #2position is not settled in my opinion,Roach could be more Dynamic

 

[Braveheart81]

Lol not related at all , with TPN injuries his career could be at a end, the #2position is not settled in my opinion,Roach could be more Dynamic

I agree it's not settled between Latu and Roach either. Latu would be ahead based on 2014 though.

Roach needs to be more dynamic around the field because he's an inferior scrummager to Latu and doesn't have the same physicality.

Both have their issues at lineout time which isn't uncommon for young hookers stepping up to professional rugby.

I like both of them and think they could be great for the Tahs for years to come.

I'd like to think Taf still has a few years left in him at both the Tahs and Wallabies.

 

[Gold Nugget]

I can't see anything special about Jack Dempsey .A spot should be available for Jim Stewart Dynamic player (not related to him lol)

 

[fatprop]

Maybe they think he has good genes?

Presumably he's been asked to train for free.

The other Folau brothers haven't demonstrated the work ethic/ability in RL to be like big brother

Google says Eni has been playing for Cabramatta RL in the Ron Massey Cup, that isn't the best of backgrounds