Waratahs 2016

[fatprop]

The logic on the decision to sign him is there

“There were a few reasons we opted to sign Zac, not having three of our starting outside backs in Ashley-Cooper, Naiyaravoro, and Betham was a big drain on experience in the backs,” Gibson said.

“We’ve got some excellent young emerging prospects in the squad, like Andrew Kellaway, Henry Clunies-Ross, and Harry Jones - all of whom will be quality players given time - but I felt like I needed a ready-made player who has been proven at Super Rugby level.

but so are the risks

“The coaching staff at Hawkes Bay were generous enough to allow him some time to visit us for a few days, and it gave us the opportunity to make our expectations really clear to Zac about being here at the Waratahs.

“He’s probably been carrying that ‘bad-boy’ baggage around with him for the past few years, and from my observations he has moved past it and grown up a bit – his challenge will be to demonstrate he can make good choices and prove that.

“Of course his signature comes with risks for both parties, but we strongly believe in his ability and will support him with his efforts to continue his rugby career, he’s highly motivated and aspirational about his career – so our challenge will be to get the best out of him.

I like him as a player, he is one of those high workrate Kiwi wingers. "IF" he turns up and puts in, I see him being a good purchase, but the "IF" is f*cking massive though

 

[Braveheart81]

Is this the first mention of Harry Jones being with the Tahs?

 

[fatprop]

Is this the first mention of Harry Jones being with the Tahs?

I think so, happy with the 3 younglings, all 3 are talented

 

[qwerty51]

No room for Northam then.

 

[RugbyReg]

Rebels have been chasing him for a while.

 

[gowaratahs]

Jones is currently on a transition contract - we're engaged to get engaged...

Clunies-Ross was on EPS, though Gibson has used language that suggests he's part of the set-up going forward.

Northam is uncontracted, as far as I'm aware. There's room for all 3, though we don't have much cover for loose forwards or inside backs.

 

[fatprop]

No room for Northam then.

you can't sign them all

 

[Tahtrajic]

Jones is currently on a transition contract - we're engaged to get engaged.

Clunies-Ross was on EPS, though Gibson has used language that suggests he's part of the set-up going forward.

Northam is uncontracted, as far as I'm aware. There's room for all 3, though we don't have much cover for loose forwards or inside backs.

Any news on how bad Clunies-Ross knee injury was. Maybe the Tahs can sign Northam as short term cover.

 

[Braveheart81]

https://fbcdn-photos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-AK (Andrew Kellaway)-xta1/v/t1.0-0/p480x480/11261797_10153254130757144_1590631157634292082_n.jpg?oh=5d7e6b372d8115a003434ae77795990e&oe=56A42F1A&__gda__=1452965131_44f131705a5bc65f3f469a7b76d03556

Great news!

 

[I like to watch]

Any news on how bad Clunies-Ross knee injury was. Maybe the Tahs can sign Northam as short term cover.

I think we're all getting a little over excited about his immediate prospects.
He has serious gas undoubtedly,but that's only a small part of the required skill set.
He needs to improve his strength in contact & his kicking game dramatically before bring considered at the next level IMO.

 

[Viking]

Great news!

Gotta say our future Hooker stocks are looking pretty good. I was worried about the stocks after Moore and TPN but Hanson and Fainga are great players and Latu is a great prospect.

 

[Bring Back The Ruck]

Gotta say our future Hooker stocks are looking pretty good. I was worried about the stocks after Moore and TPN but Hanson and Fainga are great players and Latu is a great prospect.

Except he is now a prop...

 

[Viking]

Except he is now a prop.

Well shit. Who's backup Hooker for TPN then?

 

[Lindommer]

Roach.

 

[Lee Grant]

Except he is now a prop.

Not necessarily because he is playing there in the NRC with Tilse going to lock - he played prop in his first year in the U20s then hooker in his second.

It's good to see him signed up but his propensity to get penalised for bonehead play is a bad attribute to have and should be slapped out of him whatever position he plays.
.

 

[qwerty51]

He's completely copied TPN's tackling technique (although TPN has changed his now for the good). That try by Abel last night was because Latu shoulder charged his ankles.

 

[AussieDominance]

I think we're all getting a little over excited about his immediate prospects.
He has serious gas undoubtedly,but that's only a small part of the required skill set.
He needs to improve his strength in contact & his kicking game dramatically before bring considered at the next level IMO.

I think HCR is a talented player but would agree with this view I think Jones may have jumped him in the pecking order now.

HCR had a very good first year in the Shute Shield this year he had some injuries but seemed to not thrive as much due to potentially having less space because teams knew what he was capable of.

Agree with the points raised about strength in contact and kicking.

 

[qwerty51]

Angus Ta'avao looks good.

 

[Lee Grant]

I think Harry is the one the pros will be looking at and an earlier post suggests he is already "engaged to be engaged" by the Tahs.

What surprises me is that commentators haven't picked up on his ability to kick the ball a long way with either foot - which is part of the reason why you see him playing on either wing with equal facility.

I see that he has porked up to 104kgs and big wingers are highly regarded these days.

I think Harry has a big future once he learns to read play defensively better as all young wingers have to do. He was beaten a few times against Canberra`in the NRC because of bad reads but was usually fast enough to correct matters.

I was disappointed that the Rays couldn't find a spot for him, if that was the case: he played in the Warringah district since the Under 10s.

Watch this space on H. Jones.
.

 

[Dave Beat]

I think Harry is the one the pros will be looking at and an earlier post suggests he is already "engaged to be engaged" by the Tahs.

What surprises me is that commentators haven't picked up on his ability to kick the ball a long way with either foot - which is part of the reason why you see him playing on either wing with equal facility.

I see that he has porked up to 104kgs and big wingers are highly regarded these days.

I think Harry has a big future once he learns to read play defensively better as all young wingers have to do. He was beaten a few times against Canberra`in the NRC because of bad reads but was usually fast enough to correct matters.

I was disappointed that the Rays couldn't find a spot for him, if that was the case: he played in the Warringah district since the Under 10s.

Watch this space on H. Jones.
.

Yes agree.
Harry Jones and others not at the Rays.
I could bang on about it but I have already.
I'd have had local boys.
Northam
Jones
BJ Hartman
- with local boy Reece Hodge playing 2nd five (instead of out of position @ the back).