Waratahs 2019

[LifestyleSpecialist]

2 * FREE TICKETS TO TAHS v REDS at the SCG this Saturday.
I won some tickets to the Tahs this weekend but can't use them for geographical proximity reasons so if anyone wants them let me know. They are e-tickets so can email whoever. Have asked rugby mates in Sydney and they are either already going or can't make it so free to any GAGR fan who wants them.

 

[John S]

2 * FREE TICKETS TO TAHS v REDS at the SCG this Saturday.
I won some tickets to the Tahs this weekend but can't use them for geographical proximity reasons so if anyone wants them let me know. They are e-tickets so can email whoever. Have asked rugby mates in Sydney and they are either already going or can't make it so free to any GAGR fan who wants them.

Dang it, pity I'm in Canberra this weekend

 

[Silverado]

Gutsy win, we only had 32% possession and had to make about 100 more tackles. I liked the back line changes but like to see Rona are 13. Forwards were helped by the pitch but didn't get monstered as predicted. Pity all the press is on the diabolical surface. I can't see them letting them play there again if for nothing else safety reasons.

 

[The Honey Badger]

Don't expect Parra will be any better. Brookvale wasn't any better. That leaves Homebush.

 

[The Honey Badger]

Would love to see them change to Concord or North Sydney

 

[Derpus]

Don't expect Parra will be any better. Brookvale wasn't any better. That leaves Homebush.

Homebush is garbage.

 

['Tattsy'TaylorFan1]

Hanigan was really good. Debuted for the Wallabies as a 22yo not ready for test rugby and consequently gets whacked on these forum pages which is understandable given it's our national team. Now about to turn 24 and has finally had good coaching over the last two years at the Tahs. Starting to hit that sweet spot age bracket for forwards of 23 - 26 and being genuinely ready. Same for someone like Lachie Swinton over the next few years, I reckon he'll be really good.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Would love to see them change to Concord or North Sydney

Concord doesn't have lighting does it? Never been but it must be some journey on Parra Road or through Burwood to get there when a big crowd rolls up.

North Sydney has the same oval ground issues as the scg (though granted it's smaller). Feels like watching a game through the wrong end of binoculars

 

[Silverado]

Don't expect Parra will be any better. Brookvale wasn't any better. That leaves Homebush.

I'm more optimistic than you re Parramatta. I think they should have delayed demolishing Allianz until Parra was ready to go, but I'm sure there's a reason. North Sydney and Concord don't have the facilities for broadcasting either to be considered do we are stuck with this cluster @#$%

 

[Strewthcobber]

I'm more optimistic than you re Parramatta. I think they should have delayed demolishing Allianz until Parra was ready to go, but I'm sure there's a reason. North Sydney and Concord don't have the facilities for broadcasting to be considered do we are stuck with this cluster @#$%

The stadium is going to be great - think the Badger is more nervous about the likely state of the turf

Edit aa quick google suggests turf has just been laid. 6 weeks for it to bed down. Is that enough?

 

[Strewthcobber]

 

[ShtinaTina]

Parra should be fine, Pete Wynn has showed me a few videos of the place, looks schmick

 

[Up the Guts]

Looks a bit of a fortress, could be a great atmosphere if we can pack it out.

 

[The Honey Badger]

Capacity is 30k? Is that right?

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Capacity is 30k? Is that right?

That is correct.

 

[Braveheart81]

Edit aa quick google suggests turf has just been laid. 6 weeks for it to bed down. Is that enough?

Is it so much the time to bed down or the soil mix etc?

The SCG is so sandy because it's made to drain as fast as possible and not to withstand scrums. I think that grass could be there forever and it would not get the root system necessary to hold firm.

Presumably Parramatta will have a denser soil mix that should make the grass able to stay embedded better. At least I hope so!

The problem currently is that the SCG suits the Tahs weak scrum so continuing to play there as scheduled against the Crusaders makes plenty of sense.

 

[The Honey Badger]

You would think that denser soil mix might have been applied to Brookvale at some time. But it appeared to have the same sandy base as the SCG.

Perhaps because league don't do real scrums they get away with it. And drainage is more important than surface stability.

So we don't know what base has been used at Parramatta. Hopefully someone told them about Rugby Union scrums

 

[Strewthcobber]

Even Suncorp has had its issues (Beale). Was pretty bad initially for knee injuries and then it took a while to recover from the floods.

Hopefully turf technology has come on since then

 

[Bobby Sands]

Thought Hanigan was very good, maybe his best ever game.

I’ve been critical of him in the past, but I think he could be a Mat Cockbain type operator which is a very good thing!

 

[formerflanker]

Anyone with technical expertise in artificial turf?
If it's suitable for rugby, stadia with it installed could be hosting 3 matches per weekend with considerable financial gain.