Waratahs 2018

[TOCC]

one of his big weaknesses was his agility and ability to change direction, he had a turning circle of a bus and was targeted for those reasons in defence. I don't think it will overly detract from his attacking game, the trade off in mass should see him with better acceleration and endurance, and he is still a massive unit even with a 10kg weight loss.

 

[Gnostic]

one of his big weaknesses was his agility and ability to change direction, he had a turning circle of a bus and was targeted for those reasons in defence. I don't think it will overly detract from his attacking game, the trade off in mass should see him with better acceleration and endurance, and he is still a massive unit even with a 10kg weight loss.

Actually he was agile enough going forward, the turn and chase killed him just like Lomu, and at the Tahs the Wings were easily exposed because of the absolutely shite defensive system Grey was running last year and the year before. The only reason for hope I see this year is Grey is gone and Cron should add some good aspects. It Gibson hasn't fixed the defensive structure, no amount of attack or individual defensive skill will matter.

 

[Dave Beat]

Whatever RA is spending our money on its not writing classes for in house journos “Hanigan's fitness will be critical come the start of the Super Rugby season, in a very young Waratahs second row division in 2018, with the exception of Rob Simmons.”

We have some good second rowers playing a field - Matt Philip was in the Wobs squad late last year. Young kid with a future but we sign Rob Simmons???

 

[Rebels3]

What is happening with Ben McCalman, it's beginning to look like his career is either over or he will end up somewhere other than Australia. I am desperate for the Tahs to sign him as he is a damn good player.

 

[wamberal]

We have some good second rowers playing a field - Matt Philip was in the Wobs squad late last year. Young kid with a future but we sign Rob Simmons???

He is a very good lineout exponent, maybe that is a big part of the thinking. Looking at the height and lineout ability of a potential Tahs pack, they really need some experience and guile, I would have thought?

 

[Derpus]

What is happening with Ben McCalman, it's beginning to look like his career is either over or he will end up somewhere other than Australia. I am desperate for the Tahs to sign him as he is a damn good player.

I read some vague stuff about being injured and the tahs not wanting to sign him with an injury. He seems a bit crocked sadly.

 

[I like to watch]

He is a very good lineout exponent, maybe that is a big part of the thinking. Looking at the height and lineout ability of a potential Tahs pack, they really need some experience and guile, I would have thought?

I think ATM the coach prefers proven performers rather than players with upside, given his tenuous grip on his job.
Step 1 save my job
Step 2 plan for the future.

 

[wamberal]

Every coach has a tenuous hold on his job these days.


No coach can afford one poor season, if there are other options around, and enough money to pay them out, or whatever.

 

[fatprop]

The Tahs trial "highlights"

 

[I like to watch]

Every coach has a tenuous hold on his job these days.


No coach can afford one poor season, if there are other options around, and enough money to pay them out, or whatever.

You make it sound like each coach is on equal footing, which is clearly not the case.
No coach is under more pressure than Gibson to retain his job.
The Reds only need to show promise for Thorn to be safe,I can't see a scenario where Larkham is under the pump.
And the Rebels have never had performance as a benchmark for re appointing their coach.

 

[RugbyReg]

You make it sound like each coach is on equal footing, which is clearly not the case.
No coach is under more pressure than Gibson to retain his job.
The Reds only need to show promise for Thorn to be safe,I can't see a scenario where Larkham is under the pump.
And the Rebels have never had performance as a benchmark for re appointing their coach.

Dan McKellar is so under the pump people don't even know he is the current Brumbies coach!

 

[Slim 293]

Dan McKellar is so under the pump people don't even know he is the current Brumbies coach!

To be fair, he did say he can't see a scenario where Larkham would be under the pump........ I would have to agree with that.

 

[I like to watch]

Dan McKellar is so under the pump people don't even know he is the current Brumbies coach!

Haha, whoops!
Still,I'd back him to outlast Gibson if there was a market.

 

[Hawko]

The Tahs trial "highlights"

Some things that didn't get written about from the trial that are evident from the highlights: (sorry about the numbers, player id from my screen isn't easy)

Lousy maul defence continues to be a feature.

10 (Mason?) got away a lovely pass from the ground.

There was good use of grubbers against the H rush defence in the first try.

14 looked very lazy in one of the Highlander tries.

20 can certainly spot a gap.

The 10/12 channel was pretty leaky in defence.

Towards the end there was a player (number not seen) playing at 8. Islander heritage maybe. But he looked very good from the scrum base, has some raw power, and looks like he has some potential.

 

[fatprop]

20 can certainly spot a gap.

and created one for landers earlier

 

[southsider]

waratahs 10's squad announced, not too bad minus izzy and hooper not being involved

Has anyone watched a tahs "team announcement" video on facebook? The noises it makes is fucking horrible, who bloody thought it was a good idea to throw those sounds in there?

 

[fatprop]

NSW Waratahs squad: Kurtley Beale, Cam Clark, Damien Fitzpatrick (captain), Lalakai Foketi, Jake Gordon, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Maclean Jones, Tolu Latu, Mack Mason, Ryan McCauley, Kelly Meafua, Will Miller, Drew Mitchell, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Alex Newsome, Rory O’Connor, Curtis Rona, JP Sauni, Mitch Short, Irae Simone, Lachlan Swinton, Cody Walker

Note: Randwick halfback Short and Warringah prop O’Connor have been training with the team as cover in their specialist positions.

 

[Derpus]

What's Lalakai Foketi like?

 

[fatprop]

What's Lalakai Foketi like?

Manly centre, via the Rams, Rebels, Bayonne & Bay of Plenty

 

[Brumby Runner]

Looked very promising in earlier days. Was surprised when he opted to go offshore.