Waratahs 2021

[Purce]

Second season syndrome?

Hopefully just an off game for him and the others. I thought he was great last year.

 

[fatprop]

Hopefully just an off game for him and the others. I thought he was great last year.

Agreed, learning to turn up is part of the process, and it does have to be learnt, as does playing well while wounded

 

[fatprop]

Christy Doran on he Tweeter

Waratahs captain Jake Gordon out for 6-8 weeks with ankle.
Centre Joey Walton expected to be out longer. Seriously short on leadership. Alex Newsome likely to skipper, shift to 13 + partner Moeroa. Hooker recruit Dave Porecki has leadership experience from London Irish too.

Two key units out for the season

 

[Braveheart81]

That's pretty close to the worst case scenario in both instances for two key players.

 

[Joe Blow]

Hugh Sinclair was VC last week. He might be given an opportunity starting with a C next to his name?

 

[Blackadder]

Christy Doran on he Tweeter



Two key units out for the season

I had a bad feeling Penney was going to pick Newsome as Captain.

Bloody hell what the hell does Penney see in Newsome? Average player.

 

[Derpus]

It's such a bitter blow losing Gordon. Only player outside Tizanno who looked to be Super level.

Plus this was his season to really grab a hold of and make a Wallaby jersey his own.

Just fucking shit all round.

 

[fatprop]

I had a bad feeling Penney was going to pick Newsome as Captain.

Bloody hell what the hell does Penney see in Newsome? Average player.

Newsome is a solid pro, and I understand a talker and one of the few players in the team whose voice has broken

 

[Blackadder]

Newsome is a solid pro, and I understand a talker and one of the few players in the team whose voice has broken

I still wouldn't pick him as Captain and I definitely say he is an average player

 

[Sheepie]

Our forwards getting monstered by the Reds, about to face an even stronger forwards pack.

Our biggest strongest players in our backline injured.

Saturday scares me. But I'll still be screaming and cheering at my TV in full voice.

 

[John S]

Hugh Sinclair was VC last week. He might be given an opportunity starting with a C next to his name?

I think I heard his name come up on the Pick & Drive podcast this morning. I don't think he's a terrible option.

 

[eastman]

Newsome is a solid pro, and I understand a talker and one of the few players in the team whose voice has broken

This is being very kind to Newsome - he is an exceptionally average Super Rugby player. With the depth of talent that should be available to the Tah's, someone like Newsome should be a fringe squad player at best.

 

[Rugby Mum 2]

I am backing the Tahs in this week. One poor game doesn't make a season. The Reds backline were very good- almost the Wallabies backline so when handling errors were made, they pounced and capitalised. Nothing like a loss to refocus attention - I mean we did beat Qld 45-12 only 6 months ago and they turned it around pretty quickly.

Swinton adds some grit and will rally those around him. The Swinton/Tizzano combination is an exciting prospect - both are tackling machines. Moerea adds some weight to the backline, which is still pretty good. Hopefully Harrison can run some good lines off his big frame. Grant is a handy 9 who distributes the ball well. I would also pick Triston Reilly off the bench - a very quick and elusive runner. Now is the time to really test the depth.

I would back Holmesy for captain as Sinclair is generally off the bench. Maddocks as VC.

And remember, its only a game........

 

[Drew]

Yeah, HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) probably should be captain. He played pretty deep into the game last week and must be close in seniority.

 

[Blackadder]

Super Rugby AU 2021: Alex Newsome to captain NSW Waratahs against ACT Brumbies (watoday.com.au)

Short might be back at the Tahs

 

[Silverado]

Super Rugby AU 2021: Alex Newsome to captain NSW Waratahs against ACT Brumbies (watoday.com.au)

Short might be back at the Tahs

I hope Newsome inspires the players more than he inspires me. I really don't rate him as a player let alone captain

 

[Blackadder]

I hope Newsome inspires the players more than he inspires me. I really don't rate him as a player let alone captain

Penney really likes Newsome for some stupid reason.

But to name him as Captain would cement Penney as Gibson level stupid

 

[I like to watch]

I am backing the Tahs in this week. One poor game doesn't make a season. The Reds backline were very good- almost the Wallabies backline so when handling errors were made, they pounced and capitalised. Nothing like a loss to refocus attention - I mean we did beat Qld 45-12 only 6 months ago and they turned it around pretty quickly.

Swinton adds some grit and will rally those around him. The Swinton/Tizzano combination is an exciting prospect - both are tackling machines. Moerea adds some weight to the backline, which is still pretty good. Hopefully Harrison can run some good lines off his big frame. Grant is a handy 9 who distributes the ball well. I would also pick Triston Reilly off the bench - a very quick and elusive runner. Now is the time to really test the depth.

I would back Holmesy for captain as Sinclair is generally off the bench. Maddocks as VC.

And remember, its only a game....

I salute your optimism!
Grant is a major downgrade at 9, in a team that desperately needs an experienced head to guide them around the park.
If Moerea has to make lots of decisions in defence, last week might look like a season highlight.

 

[Drew]

Obviously Grant is a downgrade, that’s why he was on the bench last week. The last couple of tries last week were from misreads at 12 resulting in the reds going in virtually untouched. Let’s hope Moeroas go forward in attack negates his lack of lateral movement in defence.

 

[fatprop]

Penney really likes Newsome for some stupid reason.

But to name him as Captain would cement Penney as Gibson level stupid

One of the issues Penney brought up last year was the lack of talk, it appears he adds the leadership dynamic and I think he could be described as a team man who isn't spectacular at anything, but solid and reliable at everything. He won't be why we lose, he will pass, make his tackles, make some yards and work hard to support

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...injury-lay-offs-revealed-20210223-p574zt.html

“Nobby has been a leader the whole year,” Waratahs winger James Ramm said of Newsome. “He’s been around a fair while, he’s well respected by all the boys. He’ll have no trouble stepping up there.

“He’s been vice-captain before and he’s a massive leader within the team. The amount of talk he gets through on the field and at training is crazy.”
............................... winton, who has lived with Newsome, endorsed his leadership qualities.

“He has an immense amount of knowledge,” Swinton said. “I don’t know if you could hear him [at training] but he’s definitely loud. He has seamlessly transitioned into that.”