Waratahs 2020

[molman]

No depth at 10?? Harrison and Donaldson are the two Australian U20's 10's from last year. Yes they are inexperienced, but they are two of the most talented fly-halves in the country. Throw in young Tane Edmed, and I'd say that the Waratahs are well positioned for fly-halves moving forward.

They have all proved through their junior, schoolboy and rep rugby careers that they are the real deal. Let's not forget that they are only 20/21 years old. They just need to be surrounded by experienced teammates who can guide them forward.

To be fair, Mason also played U20's, including beating NZ U20's on the odd occassion. Success at that level hasn't been shown as a certainty of success at the next levels (Super Rugby / International), but yes the Tah's do have some of the most exciting future prospects and Harrison has shown a great start for such a young head. My concern is the lack of experience to learn off, the ability to improve your craft by being challenged by a more experienced player. Steel sharpens steel and all that..

He went to Trinity Grammar and played Australian Schoolboys etc. He would have been a good chance at being our under 20s 10 this year if it had been played.

Tane is definitely another exciting future prospect who I suspect may even leapfrog some other 10's in a couple of years.

I havent seen Donaldson play much, clearly got some raps on him.

Here are some of his Schoolboy highlights;

And one from the U20's;

.. but if you go watch some of the Sydney NRC games last year he played fly-half a couple of times and out back in fullback a few as well. Same with some of the U20's games you will see him running around. Not an untalented kid.

 

[Pass it to Dunning!]

Siosifa Lisala and Rory O'Connor are both leaving the Tahs now.

 

[Adam84]

Have left the Tahs, wont be returning to Super Rugby this year

 

[molman]

Siosifa Lisala and Rory O'Connor are both leaving the Tahs now.

Lisala makes sense. Only saw him in the Waratah A's so hard to really get a sense for what his potential actually was. With dollars tight makes sense to focus on local lads and future.

With O'Connor leaving, I'm loosing track a litte of who is left in our prop stocks. Fitzpatrick the only other to leave?

So Robertson, HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes), Talakai, Faulkner, Walker and Bell what we're left with?

 

[Blackadder]

Lisala makes sense. Only saw him in the Waratah A's so hard to really get a sense for what his potential actually was. With dollars tight makes sense to focus on local lads and future.

With O'Connor leaving, I'm loosing track a litte of who is left in our prop stocks. Fitzpatrick the only other to leave?

So Robertson, HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes), Talakai, Faulkner, Walker and Bell what we're left with?

Tiaan Tauakipulu and Darcy Breen are there too. Both kids

 

[Silverado]

Lisala makes sense. Only saw him in the Waratah A's so hard to really get a sense for what his potential actually was. With dollars tight makes sense to focus on local lads and future.

With O'Connor leaving, I'm loosing track a litte of who is left in our prop stocks. Fitzpatrick the only other to leave?

So Robertson, HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes), Talakai, Faulkner, Walker and Bell what we're left with?

I don't think Walker is still about

 

[molman]

Tiaan Tauakipulu and Darcy Breen are there too. Both kids

Ah yes, I forgot the wider training / Elite development / Gen Blue (whatever they're call it these days) players. Theres Joe Cotton and a few others there too isn't there?...

All very young and unlikely to be Super Rugby ready, but I guess this Super Rugby AU comp might be a chance for some of them. Starting to have a bit of a NRC meets Super Rugby hybrid feel about it this forthcoming comp with so many old timers moving on.

 

[Blackadder]

Looks like Tahs had a Tahs vs Tahs game recently for a bit of a run. Photos on Tahs Instagram

 

[wamberal]

Looks like Tahs had a Tahs vs Tahs game recently for a bit of a run. Photos on Tahs Instagram

One game we could win!!!

 

[Blackadder]

One game we could win!!!

Nah still might loose

 

[molman]

Nah still might loose

... yes, just wait for the press release outlining the season ending injuries to key players. Be curious to know how all the players are tracking.

Brumbies had a similar intra-team game, so seems all the couches are keen to get a gauge where their squads are at and who might be in the 23.

 

[Blackadder]

. yes, just wait for the press release outlining the season ending injuries to key players. Be curious to know how all the players are tracking.

Brumbies had a similar intra-team game, so seems all the couches are keen to get a gauge where their squads are at and who might be in the 23.

Who is injured?

 

[molman]

Who is injured?

Sorry, should have indicated I was being sarcastic... the way the Tah's could still manage to loose even when playing themselves.

 

[Blackadder]

Sorry, should have indicated I was being sarcastic. the way the Tah's could still manage to loose even when playing themselves.

 

[Blackadder]

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sp...ce-in-super-rugby-opener-20200628-p556yz.html

This his chance. I hope Maddocks fires at 15 and shows the Tahs and the comp what he can do

 

[molman]

Who is injured?

Maybe I had a hunch ;-)

Jake Gordon, Lalakai Foketi and Karmichael Hunt are all expected to miss the game at Suncorp Stadium with hamstring issues & Tom Robertson with back issues.

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2020/06/30/super-rugby-au-waratahs-reds-injuries

 

[The Honey Badger]

Maybe I had a hunch ;-)

Jake Gordon, Lalakai Foketi and Karmichael Hunt are all expected to miss the game at Suncorp Stadium with hamstring issues & Tom Robertson with back issues.

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2020/06/30/super-rugby-au-waratahs-reds-injuries

Kidding

 

[fatprop]

Maybe I had a hunch ;-)

Jake Gordon, Lalakai Foketi and Karmichael Hunt are all expected to miss the game at Suncorp Stadium with hamstring issues & Tom Robertson with back issues.

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2020/06/30/super-rugby-au-waratahs-reds-injuries

too many hours sleeping during lockdown it appears

 

[qwerty51]

Will Harris looks like he's put on 10kg in the break.

 

[molman]

too many hours sleeping during lockdown it appears

Could be. Likely been hard to simulate the same level and intensity of training whilst in lockdown for some players.

I'm actually really excited to see how the young replacements all go. Great opportunity for the likes of Walton and Donaldson to have a crack. Also curious if any of the sevens boys like Nick Malouf or Angus Bell get a run. Malouf is a pretty handy player.

I feel the Tah's have a great opportunity to really identify who of the young stock is potentially ready to step up and be the basis of next years squad.

I wonder what the Tah's average number of caps is now with the likes of players such as Fitzpatrick and Beale leaving.

Edit: didn't realise the squad had been announced earlier today. Seems no Malouf.