Waratahs 2019

[The Honey Badger]

Interesting to see that the Tahs have not locked down Cron for Head Coach next year, "The Waratahs will be facing some list management challenges after this season, with head coach Daryl Gibson off contract, forwards coach Simon Cron also off contract and Phipps and Rona headed to England.

No doubt trying to avoid another Link debacle.

I wouldn't expect any announcements there untill the die is cast this season.

 

[Braveheart81]

The previous speculation was that it would be between Cron and Whitaker. I guess they have high hopes for Whitaker's impact on the team this season.

I think they need to ensure they don't wait too long on a decision but they do have some time to assess before Northern Hemisphere teams start making moves for the 2019/20 season.

 

[The Honey Badger]

Has Gibson said he wants out? Or are people assuming he will not be reappointed?

It won't surprise me if Taylor comes into the mix.

 

[Braveheart81]

Has Gibson said he wants out? Or are people assuming he will not be reappointed?

It won't surprise me if Taylor comes into the mix.

I don't think Gibson wants to leave but I also don't think he will get reappointed. They also probably need to make a decision before the season finishes which has the propensity to make them look stupid.

 

[The Honey Badger]

I don't think Gibson wants to leave but I also don't think he will get reappointed. They also probably need to make a decision before the season finishes which has the propensity to make them look stupid.

So I would think, whilst ever they are in the hunt for the finals they will hold back any decision.

 

[Micheal]

What's everyone think the lineup will be this year?

I'm hoping for:

1 Kepu
2 Latu
3 Vui
4 Holloway
5 Simmons
6 Dempsey
7 Hooper
8 Wells
9 Phipps
10 Foley
11 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
12 Beale
13 Hunt
14 Rona
15 Folau

16 HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes)
17 Fitzpatrick
18 ?
19 Hanigan
20 Miller
21 Gordon
22 Mason
23 Newsome

It's interesting to note that Holloway and Hanigan are listed in the squad as "locks", not back rowers. I think at Super Rugby level they are better suited to the 2nd row, and it allows us to include Wells AND Dempsey, with the former being the best forward of our 2018 campaign. He's really growing year on year, and Dempsey / Wells would play heavier at 6 / 8 than Hanigan / Dempsey would. It maximises the grunt of our grunt-less pack, whilst keeping it hyper mobile.

Newsome to pip John Folau on the bench due to versatility, but I really hope the latter develops into a real strike winger.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

What's everyone think the lineup will be this year?

I'm hoping for:

1 Kepu
2 Latu
3 Vui
4 Holloway
5 Simmons
6 Dempsey
7 Hooper
8 Wells
9 Phipps
10 Foley
11 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
12 Beale
13 Hunt
14 Rona
15 Folau

16 HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes)
17 Fitzpatrick
18 ?
19 Hanigan
20 Miller
21 Gordon
22 Mason
23 Newsome

It's interesting to note that Holloway and Hanigan are listed in the squad as "locks", not back rowers. I think at Super Rugby level they are better suited to the 2nd row, and it allows us to include Wells AND Dempsey, with the former being the best forward of our 2018 campaign. He's really growing year on year, and Dempsey / Wells would play heavier at 6 / 8 than Hanigan / Dempsey would. It maximises the grunt of our grunt-less pack, whilst keeping it hyper mobile.

Newsome to pip John Folau on the bench due to versatility, but I really hope the latter develops into a real strike winger.

Wells will be out for sometime with his 7s commitments. Wouldn't be surprised to see Dempsey at 8 with Miller (or Hanigan) at 6.

I'd also expect the backs as above with 11 Rona, 13 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), 14 Folau, 15 Hunt.

 

[Froggy]

Michael,
I think HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) will start at loose head (until Tom Robbo returns) with Kepu at tight head and Vui on the bench. Lock depends on how Roets shapes up. He could join Simmonds there, but if he doesn't step up I see it as a three way battle between Staniforth, Hanigan & Holloway. If Roets starts, with Wells missing a bit of footy, I think it will be either Hanigan at 6 and Dempsey 8, or Holloway at 8 with Dempsey at 6.
I think you're likely to be on the money with the backs, although it also wouldn't surprise me to see 9 Phipps, 10 Foley, 11 Rona, 12 Beale, 13 AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), 14 Folau and 15 Hunt.

 

[The Honey Badger]

You Nailed it Froggy.

That team looking pretty special

 

[RugbyReg]

Tahs team list for their trial v the Highlanders

1 Harry Johnson-Holmes
2 Andrew Tuala
3 Shambeckler Vui
4 Jed Holloway (Vice Captain)
5 Ryan McCauley
6 Lachlan Swinton
7 Will Miller (Captain)
8 Hugh Sinclair
9 Mitch Short
10 Mack Mason
11 Cameron Clark
12 Karmichael Hunt
13 Lalakai Foketi
14 Curtis Rona
15 Alex Newsome

Bench
16 JP Sauni
17 Rory O’Connor
18 Chris Talakai
19 Le Roux Roets
20 BJ Edwards
21 Pat Tafa
22 Jake Gordon
23 Ben Donaldson
24 Will Harrison
25 Richard Woolf
26 Will Harris
27 Cody Walker​

 

[Jamie]

Are all of these contracted players or are some of these trialling for some spots?

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Are all of these contracted players or are some of these trialling for some spots?

From my understanding the squad is complete. The only person who isn't on a contract is Richie Woolf.

 

[RugbyReg]

Are all of these contracted players or are some of these trialling for some spots?

http://www.nswwaratahs.com.au/news/news-article/articleid/18314/nsw-waratahs-confirm-2019-squad

 

[Jamie]

That's what I thought, didn't watch much SS but saw a few of his tries, would be nice to see him at the next level

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

That's what I thought, didn't watch much SS but saw a few of his tries, would be nice to see him at the next level

I don't think he has the game for it (for Super Rugby) however I wish him the best of luck.

 

[John S]

I don't think he has the game for it (for Super Rugby) however I wish him the best of luck.

He's got some speed, and was able to gas some SS opponents, will be interesting to see how he ups the game for Super Rugby

 

[fatprop]

Not the greatest set of forwards ever to whack on a Tahs jersey

 

[Blackadder]

Tahs team list for their trial v the Highlanders

1 Harry Johnson-Holmes​

2 Andrew Tuala​

3 Shambeckler Vui​

4 Jed Holloway (Vice Captain)​

5 Ryan McCauley​

6 Lachlan Swinton​

7 Will Miller (Captain)​

8 Hugh Sinclair​

9 Mitch Short​

10 Mack Mason​

11 Cameron Clark​

12 Karmichael Hunt​

13 Lalakai Foketi​

14 Curtis Rona​

15 Alex Newsome​

​

Bench ​

16 JP Sauni​

17 Rory O’Connor​

18 Chris Talakai​

19 Le Roux Roets​

20 BJ Edwards​

21 Pat Tafa​

22 Jake Gordon​

23 Ben Donaldson​

24 Will Harrison​

25 Richard Woolf​

26 Will Harris​

27 Cody Walker​

Interesting looking depth side. A few kids getting a run.

 

[Blackadder]

The previous speculation was that it would be between Cron and Whitaker. I guess they have high hopes for Whitaker's impact on the team this season.



I think they need to ensure they don't wait too long on a decision but they do have some time to assess before Northern Hemisphere teams start making moves for the 2019/20 season.

http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2019/01/30/waratahs-trial-hunt

Gibson wants to stay.

Hope it doesn't mean Cron goes.
I think Cron would make a great head coach and Gibson has had more bad than good so far.

 

[Silverado]

Any word on a live stream etc?