Waratahs 2021

[molman]

I agree with you there, I think there's plenty of value in having a few older heads around in some of the key decision making positions when bringing the younger players on. The problem (one of many, obviously) Australian rugby faces is there just aren't that many fly halves still available, at least as players. Jono Lance might be the only availability there, but if the Force come back into super rugby beyond this year I imagine he'd prefer to stay there. Particularly if he gets a chance at the wallabies this year.

Pretty much how I ended up on a name like Barnes. I guess someone like Barnes or Giteau in a consultancy role could help, but not sure it's ever the same.

Too often when I hear Aussie players abroad talk about their experience one of the things that always comes up is being able to play with some great players who help them develop their own craft.

Anyway, like others have pointed out 10 isn't our biggest concern for 2021, lots of other holes to fill especially if players like Hunt and Maddocks follow Beale out the door.

As an aside, I'd keep James Ramm around. I've liked what I've seen of him in the NRC / Waratahs A's. He played well in the game against the Lions earlier this year too.

 

[Pass it to Dunning!]

I think Harrison's worth keeping as the first choice flyhalf. He's still green but he isn't the source of the Waratahs' problems this year.

 

[KOB1987]

Godwin’s one and only test was a beauty, v France. I’m happy to have him.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Best game I saw him play, ever. He did have some quite good outings for the Brumbies too in later games before he went o/s.

 

[molman]

Best game I saw him play, ever. He did have some quite good outings for the Brumbies too in later games before he went o/s.

Anyone see much of him in the Pro14? Ulster's my team so can't say I watch many of the Connacht games, but I had heard that he was well liked there and performing pretty well. I'm not sure it was so much that they let him go as much as he was keen to have another crack in Aus and the Gold. He seemed to be used as real utility player from what I gathered, prefering 12/13 but being used on the wing and/or even as an outhalf (flyhalf) if needed. Anyway the AU SuperRugby should give a good indication of how he is currently tracking.

Interestingly Connacht has some similarities to the Tahs with a lot of youth, relying a lot on their Academy players, a couple being from the Ireland U19/20 sides.

 

[Rugby Head]

I think everyone has forgotten about Moeroa. Hoping the Tahs give him a good crack when the season resumes to see if he's up for it or not. Don't think they will be winning the comp, so gives a good opportunity to see whether or not any of the inexperienced guys are up for it.

Would be good to see: Moeroa, Tafa, Harris, Harrison, Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase), Tizzano, Bell and Lisala all get plenty of game time.

 

[Braveheart81]

Yeah, I'd consider picking Karmichael Hunt at 15 just to give Moeroa a run at 12. He needs to play.

 

[Drew]

Depends how he structures the backline. I think Harrison kind of needs a bail out option at either 12 or 15. Someone who’s equally proficient at running, passing and kicking. Moroea isn’t that as a 12, but is a good option for hit ups off the set piece, he also acts as a bit of a body guard in defence for Harrison. Maddocks hits holes really well and is direct in attack, people outside him should have space if he gets the ball as he runs tryline to tryline. Hunt is a good athlete, has all the attributes listed, is a good communicator, but to me sometimes gets sucked into trying too much which leads to errors. Always liked Godwin, felt he was a bit wasted at the force, outside a SA 5/8th who never played an expansive game. I’d like to think Moroea could play 8 or 13, but 12 is probably best suited for his skill set and all the added technicalities of those other positions would hold his transition back.

 

[pnut]

Problem is Harrison takes all the outside backs space with his lateral movement especially without a 12 to straight his lines. Think he will be a decent player but needs a lot of coaching.

 

[Crashy]

I must say I am nervous about the Tahs performance in 2020. We may well be into year 6 of our 3 year rebuilding phase.

 

[Braveheart81]

I must say I am nervous about the Tahs performance in 2020. We may well be into year 6 of our 3 year rebuilding phase.

This is surely year one of the rebuild.

Last year we still had 8 players who played in the 2014 final including 7 starters.

Now that Beale has finished up, Hooper will be the only one left.

 

[Derpus]

This is surely year one of the rebuild.

Last year we still had 8 players who played in the 2014 final including 7 starters.

Now that Beale has finished up, Hooper will be the only one left.

Rebuild should really have started in 2016

 

[Braveheart81]

Rebuild should really have started in 2016

Arguably we still should have been competing with the best teams.

 

[Blackadder]

Probably the most likely senario, just thought getting in some older experience to help mentor the younger boys wouldn't go astray and Matt Cockbain from memory was Berrick's coach at Ricoh Black Rams so a 1year deal for a player of his caliber would be interesting to see.



I guess seeing the likes of Carter at the Blues or even Cruden at the Chief got me thinking about the value in having some of these older heads around to learn off.

 

[Derpus]

Arguably we still should have been competing with the best teams.

I feel like that was the year we really fell away, as we brought in a lot of younger guys who didn't end up being anywhere near as good as the players that had left (maybe it was more 2017?).

I suppose that is an attempt at a rebuild. Just a failed one.

 

[molman]

This is surely year one of the rebuild.

Last year we still had 8 players who played in the 2014 final including 7 starters.

Now that Beale has finished up, Hooper will be the only one left.

I guess it depends on how you define rebuild vs. almost a restart. A few attempts to refresh at various points.

All these contracts expiring soon really does open the door for a total clearing of house if desired and considering Gibson was around under Chieka we've only really started to move on from the legacy. Such a shame that unlike great clubs we couldn't use the success of 2014 as a launch pad to build off.

...

Haha... bit harsh on Barnes

 

[Silverado]

I guess it depends on how you define rebuild vs. almost a restart. A few attempts to refresh at various points.

All these contracts expiring soon really does open the door for a total clearing of house if desired and considering Gibson was around under Chieka we've only really started to move on from the legacy. Such a shame that unlike great clubs we couldn't use the success of 2014 as a launch pad to build off.



Haha. bit harsh on Barnes

Agree with this. A rebuild has passed us by, so restart it is. There's quite s few good young players like Harrison, Bell, Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase), Harris, Tafa Tizzano and Donaldson that we should be retained for the future. It could be a tough few years, but if you look at the Reds, they had a similar predicament but they've been blooding their youngsters and things are looking up for them after a few lean years. I reckon the only Australian franchise that has kept on top of rebuilding is the Brumbies. They seem to recognise looking deficiencies and sign accordingly.

 

[molman]

Agree with this. A rebuild has passed us by, so restart it is. There's quite s few good young players like Harrison, Bell, Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase), Harris, Tafa Tizzano and Donaldson that we should be retained for the future. It could be a tough few years, but if you look at the Reds, they had a similar predicament but they've been blooding their youngsters and things are looking up for them after a few lean years. I reckon the only Australian franchise that has kept on top of rebuilding is the Brumbies. They seem to recognise looking deficiencies and sign accordingly.

I really like Tizzano. I know there has been a few loose comparisons to a Hooper in the making made, but there is a real hunger/tenacity about that boy.

I really hope this new period of inter-franchise sharing extends to bottling some of that Brumbies player identification and development.

 

[upthereds#!]

Imagine the training runs, bit of probables V possibles. Barring injuries, surely if the coaches felt that guys liek Tafa, Tizzano and Harris should be playing more, then you would hope they would have been. We aren't clear on what happens at training and who is performing, but at least we are clear on that the Tahs do have a great selection of youngins coming through, but unfortunately there is a severe lack of incumbent talent.

Tahs regulars
Robertson, Abel, HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes), Simmons, Staniforth, Hanigan, Hoops, Dempsey, Gordon, Mason, Clarke, Hunt, Newsome, Maddocks, Beale
V
Tahs u20 (ish)
Bell, Cotton, Tauakipulu, Williams, Douglas, Tafa, Tizzano, Harris, Mcdonald, Harrison, Reilly, ?, Walton, Nawaqa, Donaldson
V
Squadies
Faulkner, Tuala, Talakai, Mccauley, Holloway, Swinton, Gamble, Sinclair, Short, Walsh, Clarke, Moeroa, Foketi, Lisala, Ramm

 

[upthereds#!]

Yeah, I'd consider picking Karmichael Hunt at 15 just to give Moeroa a run at 12. He needs to play.

I'd consider Hunt to 13 - good vision, good defence, good communication, able to guide Moeroa. Newsome could shift to wing with Nawaqa and Maddocks to FB. OR Moeroa to 13 though I hear he is spectacularly slow at changing direction.