Waratahs 2017
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Jagman
Trevor Allan (34)
Let's not mention the fact that (bar Simmonds) all the Reds second rowers (even Rhodda) are more or less products of NSW
Sent from my FairPhone
dru
David Wilson (68)
Works for me as long as they are wearing Red. And let's not forget Matwijou. Fabulous lock, at Force now I think.
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
Why do people persist in believing these sorts of rumours? It is just lazy journalism.
The so-called "journalist" asks a fake question, based on nothing, which he knows will give him a tiny little story, because NO professional athlete will rule anything in or out in terms of future contracts.
Pathetic.
This story seems to be based on even less than usual.
"Folau, 27, a former Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos player, is reportedly a prime target for the Auckland-based NRL club for 2018."
They then draw on the fact that he has previously said he was open to a return to rugby league (which all players do as stating they are not open to a code switch diminishes their bargaining power).
"Folau, 27, a former Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos player, is reportedly a prime target for the Auckland-based NRL club for 2018."
They then draw on the fact that he has previously said he was open to a return to rugby league (which all players do as stating they are not open to a code switch diminishes their bargaining power).
Scrubber2050
Mark Ella (57)
If ya wanna go Izzy then go.
He certainly hasn't played the house down as when he first came to rugby.
He certainly hasn't played the house down as when he first came to rugby.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
fixed
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Including its execs - ABC running with the fact that we still don't have a Super Rugby Sponsor for 2017
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
Scrubber2050
Mark Ella (57)
When Folau came on board we (Australian rugby) needed him and his profile badly. He didn't disappoint and frankly was probably worth the big bucks.
His performances particularly in the last 12 months + have not been to the level of his pay scale. Arguably after some of his test performances last year the bloke should have been dropped from the national team. However the man was coated in teflon and Chek didn't have the intestinal fortitude to make that less than hard decision.
I believe that failure sent a terrible message to the rest of the team and didn't help the culture within. Players are not dumbos. They know which players should get picked or dropped.
Therefore I don't think all stops should be made to ensure Israel stays at the Waratahs or Wallabies. There is talent coming through, particularly at the Tahs.
We have easy mid year tests so there is some time for another to adequately fill that 15 spot.
His performances particularly in the last 12 months + have not been to the level of his pay scale. Arguably after some of his test performances last year the bloke should have been dropped from the national team. However the man was coated in teflon and Chek didn't have the intestinal fortitude to make that less than hard decision.
I believe that failure sent a terrible message to the rest of the team and didn't help the culture within. Players are not dumbos. They know which players should get picked or dropped.
Therefore I don't think all stops should be made to ensure Israel stays at the Waratahs or Wallabies. There is talent coming through, particularly at the Tahs.
We have easy mid year tests so there is some time for another to adequately fill that 15 spot.
formerflanker
Ken Catchpole (46)
He is well worth retaining at Super and Test level.
The form slump you identify will be put behind him with the off season to fix all injuries and re-charge the motivation tank.
If the mid year tests are easy, then that's an opportunity to boost his self belief with strong performances.
He'll come good.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
There is a blog on Waratahs training after the Wallabies returned to the squad:
Give it a click.
.
Give it a click.
.
Twoilms
Trevor Allan (34)
I actually agree with Scrubber 
Folau is amazing at what he does and what he does only. He does two things. He catches high balls and he beats defenders every time.
Defensively questionable, can't kick, makes terrible mistakes under pressure and lacks the rugby nous to be a real fullback. He should have been kept on the wing as he is a winger.
He should have been dropped during and after the World Cup and we should have pulled out the stops to keep KB (Kurtley Beale) as he should of been our incumbent fullback. Just as we should have pulled out the stops to keep To'omua as he should have been our incumbent 12.
His form isn't and never has been a temporary issue. He doesn't have the skill set to be a consistently great 15 (or 12,13 for the matter).
If i had the option of any of Hogg, Brown, Halfpenny, Dagg etc all would start over Folau at 15.
Folau is amazing at what he does and what he does only. He does two things. He catches high balls and he beats defenders every time.
Defensively questionable, can't kick, makes terrible mistakes under pressure and lacks the rugby nous to be a real fullback. He should have been kept on the wing as he is a winger.
He should have been dropped during and after the World Cup and we should have pulled out the stops to keep KB (Kurtley Beale) as he should of been our incumbent fullback. Just as we should have pulled out the stops to keep To'omua as he should have been our incumbent 12.
His form isn't and never has been a temporary issue. He doesn't have the skill set to be a consistently great 15 (or 12,13 for the matter).
If i had the option of any of Hogg, Brown, Halfpenny, Dagg etc all would start over Folau at 15.
I thought Folau was simply excellent at 13 last season.
His ability to beat that first defender at 13 makes for so many options for support runners, as his threat makes the other defenders stay uncommitted to cover missed tackles on him opening space for the support runners.
I expect that to only improve this season. To me he is better in that tight attack than in 20m of space
At 15 he is as much a blocking piece; have him there and the attack won't kick anywhere him because he is known to be so safe, but his kick return is solid without being spectacular but with Aus actually getting players back in support, his roll becomes catch and clear to runners in space around the chase line; so he won't be expected to run through the whole team often anyway.
I always think judging most 15s on defensive misses is bloody tough, so often they are on a hiding to nothing and Folau is a great tackler.
His weakness is his kicking, but every player has something (except the likes of Dan Carter)
His ability to beat that first defender at 13 makes for so many options for support runners, as his threat makes the other defenders stay uncommitted to cover missed tackles on him opening space for the support runners.
I expect that to only improve this season. To me he is better in that tight attack than in 20m of space
At 15 he is as much a blocking piece; have him there and the attack won't kick anywhere him because he is known to be so safe, but his kick return is solid without being spectacular but with Aus actually getting players back in support, his roll becomes catch and clear to runners in space around the chase line; so he won't be expected to run through the whole team often anyway.
I always think judging most 15s on defensive misses is bloody tough, so often they are on a hiding to nothing and Folau is a great tackler.
His weakness is his kicking, but every player has something (except the likes of Dan Carter)
Folau is signed until the end of 2018. Assuming he wants to remain the highest paid player with the ARU after that, you'd think he has to return to his top form over the next couple of seasons.
He is clearly the highest profile player we have and a significant part of his value lies in that profile. Whilst his injury during the RWC should have seen him benched, his ability to remain healthy over his career has been important.
Contrast to the other top paid player in Australian rugby, David Pocock who has had frequent injuries and now we are paying for him to not play in Australia for a season to keep him. Certainly Pocock is more important to the Wallabies than Folau but based on the number of games available for selection, we're paying more for Pocock.
He is clearly the highest profile player we have and a significant part of his value lies in that profile. Whilst his injury during the RWC should have seen him benched, his ability to remain healthy over his career has been important.
Contrast to the other top paid player in Australian rugby, David Pocock who has had frequent injuries and now we are paying for him to not play in Australia for a season to keep him. Certainly Pocock is more important to the Wallabies than Folau but based on the number of games available for selection, we're paying more for Pocock.
Twoilms
Trevor Allan (34)
Fatprop, i don't think his kick return qualifies as 'good'. Kick returns often involve astute kicking for field position or to relieve pressure (see Highlanders, England, New Zealand - any professional rugby team that isn't Australian). Folau can't kick. So he either passes it for someone else to return or runs. He also hesitates in the return far too much which is strange since he usually only has two viable options. Average at best.
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