Waratahs 2020
- Thread starter RugbyReg
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molman
Jim Lenehan (48)
Could be the market dynamics are different in NSW/Syd. Arguably a more competitive sporting landscape for similar player type/skills with the number of league clubs down here.
I also suspect the Tahs very Wallaby stacked squad of the past actually made it harder for us to go after the likes of say a Isi Nisarani. Probably had too many Wallaby backs on the books tying up funds which contributed to the unbalanced squad.
Who are the players you would have gone after or been developing? Me personally I would have loved someone like Valetini. The Brumbies have been great with their player id and pathways in recent years.
I think Bell shows some promise and players like Holloway and Dempsey have shown potential in the past. Swinton's got some mongrel and might develop into something special. Tafa hasn't wowed me, but hes got some bulk. Moeroa might add some starch and go forward.
I don't think it's all doom and gloom even with the squad we have. Is the year for some of those players to step up though.
Blackadder
Desmond Connor (43)
How about a Nick Frost Jnr Wallaby, on the Tahs jnr books, left the Tahs for a year and went to the Brumbies when he came back. Matt Phiilip, big strong lock on the Tahs book and released to go to the Force then to the Rebels not wanted by Gibson. Lukhan Salakai-Loto who was playing in the shute shield then signed with the Reds. All of them were in the Tahs system
Pass it to Dunning!
Bob Loudon (25)
I suspect it was between Hanigan and Salakai-Loto as to who got signed by the Tahs that year. They were both standouts in that U20s year, if I remember correctly, and the Tahs probably didn't have room for two young lanky flankers. Mind you, the Reds may have got to Salakai-Loto first. He was obviously worth signing for any Super team.
molman
Jim Lenehan (48)
Hindsight is great though isn't it. From all I'd heard it was very much Frosts decision to move to the Crusaders Academy and then Brumbies. I'm not sure I'd call Frost a bruiser yet either.
Philip (was he ever on the Tah's book? just thought in the Stars team) - from memory he got his break with the Force because of injuries over there and then stuck with the Force boys in the shift to Melbourne. His whole professional career has really been with them, so I can see him staying loyal.
Lukhan had that year at Randwick in the SS but wasn't that around the same time we still had the likes of Skelton on the books? and probably people like Mumm tying up spots.
Don't get me wrong, I do think some for the player id and development at the Tahs hasn't been great, but in some cases it's also been the gamble of backing a player who just didn't evolve as hoped. I know some on here would have preferred other players to say Mumm, Haningan etc.
Blackadder
Desmond Connor (43)
molman
Jim Lenehan (48)
Nice to see a coach speak plainly and honestly. Thought he was a little kind to Beale but I guess he'd have a more holistic view of things.
ha! You should try watching him sometime.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
I hope I didn't mislead anyone with my comment about Brown. Pilfering is not his only skill. He is also extremely good at supporting the ball carrier and securing own ball at the breakdown. He also knows what to do when in the open, witness his try with his first ever touch in Super rugby.
I absolutely agree that all players have to be able/willing to have a shot at pilfering when an opportunity presents, but I maintain a good No7 ought to have pilfering as one of his better skills.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
Almost a doppelganger for Simmons, but I disagree with your comment about [potential. Rob Simmons' potential was always to get himself selected while not being particularly effective other than as a lineout operator.
HH does all that Simmo ever did and also plays well in open play. He is way ahead on potential.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
The Kamikaze kids (awful fucken name) seem to do alright tackling lots rather than pilfering.
molman
Jim Lenehan (48)
I did Reg. In the NRC last year I thought he was really poor at times. Might be a range of factors for why and I don't doubt he has potential but I distinctly remember him in the NSWC v QLDC game having a bit of a shocker. He's a young man though, so lots of growth. Be interesting to see how he goes this year.
Actually Staniforth played pretty well in that game from memory. NSWC forwards really took it to QLD. Hopefully the Tahs players can find some of that form again at Super Rugby level.
How about in his Super Rugby games last year? And in the Premier Rugby Grand Final? And in all NRC games? He copped some criticism for his NRC form on here, which I thought he was harsh. I thought he had some excellent games and some quieter games.
But I'm not going to harp on it. He'll show is ability.
molman
Jim Lenehan (48)
Reg, I'm not the one popping into another teams thread to be disparaging about their players, just pointing out that he's not an all out talent at this point - and yes I did see him in other games/comps. I also don't think it was harsh to say his NRC form really wasn't great at times.
Reds seem to agree locking up Blyth over Hockings. Upside is he is young, got the genetics and all the opportunity to develop, so could be something special.
As I said, be interesting to see how he goes this year.
Reds seem to agree locking up Blyth over Hockings. Upside is he is young, got the genetics and all the opportunity to develop, so could be something special.
As I said, be interesting to see how he goes this year.
molman
Jim Lenehan (48)
Maddocks keen to play fullback:
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2020/01/25/one-percenters-january-26
Will be interesting how it unfolds with Beale also mentioning his preference for 15. Start him (Jack) on the wing and move him to FB when you sub Beale off? or move Beale into 12? Maybe they might manage Beales minutes a bit more this year.
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2020/01/25/one-percenters-january-26
Will be interesting how it unfolds with Beale also mentioning his preference for 15. Start him (Jack) on the wing and move him to FB when you sub Beale off? or move Beale into 12? Maybe they might manage Beales minutes a bit more this year.
Blackadder
Desmond Connor (43)
Beale will most likely start at flyhalf with Harrison off the bench
