Waratahs 2022

[Braveheart81]

100% As much as I love KB (Kurtley Beale), really, I would much rather have a couple of younger guys fighting for that 15 spot than KB (Kurtley Beale). What message are we sending? Surely KB (Kurtley Beale) is not expecting to sit on the bench for that Tahs next year, If I was Ramm, Newsome, and co I would be looking for a new gig

That despite his age he's the one still in contention for the Wallabies and none of our current options are close to that.

I had huge hopes in James Ramm a couple of years ago and hopefully he gets his form back but it is pretty telling that he's currently behind Turner, Pietsch and Newsome.

Hopefully one of these guys does stand up and make it hard to pick Beale to start. What new gig will these guys be looking for? They will be further off a starting position elsewhere.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I'm hoping they use KB (Kurtley Beale) as a mentor and a flexible bench option. He's play just about every position in the backs, and IMHO he's always at his best when coming from the bench as an impact player. Give the younger guys the starting roles & longer times on the field.

Also hoping someone claims the 15 jersey as their own this season. Newsome was looking good in the trials, but wasn't much in the opening match. It'll be interesting to see how he goes this coming Friday.

Is a Wallabies (in AR)top up justified if his role is to mentor Tahs up and comers?

 

[fatprop]

Is a Wallabies (in AR)top up justified if his role is to mentor Tahs up and comers?

An inform Beale, even at nearly 50yro, is better than what we rolled out last season for the wobs

None are what you would call nailed in quality test players

So yes

At super level? better than the lot of them

My concern is for Donaldson & Harrison, Beale is likely to start at 15 so one starts at 10 and the other doesn't make the bench

 

[RugbyReg]

Is a Wallabies (in AR)top up justified if his role is to mentor Tahs up and comers?

I don't think Dave Rennie had that in mind when pushing for this

 

[Sheepie]

Is a Wallabies (in AR)top up justified if his role is to mentor Tahs up and comers?

Going by the current players I'd be putting him straight in to 15. But hoping that's a more difficult thing to do in 12 months time.

 

[Rob42]

That despite his age he's the one still in contention for the Wallabies and none of our current options are close to that.

I had huge hopes in James Ramm a couple of years ago and hopefully he gets his form back but it is pretty telling that he's currently behind Turner, Pietsch and Newsome.

Hopefully one of these guys does stand up and make it hard to pick Beale to start. What new gig will these guys be looking for? They will be further off a starting position elsewhere.

He'll play just the 2023 season for the Tahs, correct? You'd hope the other blokes mentioned would be able to see the bigger picture, and that one year behind Beale on the depth chart - or challenging him for a position - is worthwhile for their development. Most of these blokes are just a couple of seasons (and short seasons) out of the U20s program. They shouldn't be assuming they're walk-up starters in Super Rugby.

Of course, that means the Tahs need to prove to the young blokes that they will develop there. Comments from Tom Robertson and Andrew Kellaway don't back that up. Of course, the coaching staff has changed repeatedly since then...

 

[Jamie]

I wish Newsome was looking for a new gig two years ago.

Ha fair, in saying this he hasn't been too bad this year, Trial form and 1st round. Yet to be tested though

 

[Jamie]

I think many would agree with you but who would you pick in your squad today?

I don't want to go through the Mc Hansen thing again but I would be targeting anyone from the Reds squad, they have some guns IMO and are unlikely to get game time.

 

[Jamie]

That despite his age he's the one still in contention for the Wallabies and none of our current options are close to that.

I had huge hopes in James Ramm a couple of years ago and hopefully he gets his form back but it is pretty telling that he's currently behind Turner, Pietsch and Newsome.

Hopefully one of these guys does stand up and make it hard to pick Beale to start. What new gig will these guys be looking for? They will be further off a starting position elsewhere.

Off to Japan, Europe or USA I guess, we all know what happens, as soon as they move elsewhere they start performing. I hope DC is building that culture where guys want to stick around. Having Beale coming back is a double edged sword, yes experience but from bench, I hope.

I agree with Ramm, he has huge potential, I think on the wing though

 

[Pfitzy]

I had huge hopes in James Ramm a couple of years ago and hopefully he gets his form back but it is pretty telling that he's currently behind Turner, Pietsch and Newsome.

That could also be a balance thing - doesn't necessarily mean Ramm is the worst of them, just DC trying new stuff. On form, Turner deserved his place but got a lesson on Friday.

 

[Lightblue]

The problem with KB (Kurtley Beale) is you just never know what you are going to get... he’s not great under the high ball and his defence is not always solid. In attack he can be brilliant but as he is now older that might not be that often. If we seriously go into a World Cup with KB (Kurtley Beale) as your best option as a fullback..... well it doesn’t say much for our young blokes! Come on young blokes! Campbell is my favourite fullback in Super Rugby and I hope he has a cracker year.... and I’m a Tahs supporter! Like to see Newsome keep getting better there but if not, Ramm given a crack. He has a boot as big as Donaldson’s and that is a big reliever of pressure when you are under the pump.

 

[Lightblue]

An inform Beale, even at nearly 50yro, is better than what we rolled out last season for the wobs

None are what you would call nailed in quality test players

So yes

At super level? better than the lot of them

My concern is for Donaldson & Harrison, Beale is likely to start at 15 so one starts at 10 and the other doesn't make the bench

If Tahs keep winning, Harrison might struggle to make the bench now.

 

[wamberal]

At his best, Newsome is mediocre.

 

[PhilClinton]

Beale is a hard one to judge, especially with the more recent form of the Wallaby backline rejects coming into the fold and their successes.

JOC (James O'Connor) was great when he first returned to the Reds, and played well enough to be considered Super Rugby player of the year in 2021. And Quade obviously was a key player for the Wobs last year.

In saying that, their form was great in 2020 and then 2021. We're now in 2022 and talking about Beale pushing for a fullback spot at the RWC in 2023.

Two years ago Hunter Paisami was the best thing since sliced bread for the Wallabies when he debuted at that level, now he's on the bench for the Reds. A lot of things can change in two years, and Beale is on the wrong side of 33. If I were a betting man, I'd say Beale is long odds to be a key feature in 2023.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

I’m happy to see Beale back in Australia, even if he doesn’t make the Wallabies or set Super Rugby alight, he is still a high profile player for the Tahs and they need that in NSW

Amen!

100% As much as I love KB (Kurtley Beale), really, I would much rather have a couple of younger guys fighting for that 15 spot than KB (Kurtley Beale). What message are we sending? Surely KB (Kurtley Beale) is not expecting to sit on the bench for that Tahs next year, If I was Ramm, Newsome, and co I would be looking for a new gig

why - kurtly on 1.5 year contract and newsome probably destined to be at best bench option for other sides.

 

[Adam84]

100% As much as I love KB (Kurtley Beale), really, I would much rather have a couple of younger guys fighting for that 15 spot than KB (Kurtley Beale). What message are we sending? Surely KB (Kurtley Beale) is not expecting to sit on the bench for that Tahs next year, If I was Ramm, Newsome, and co I would be looking for a new gig

If this eventuates, Isn't the message that the best player for the position is selected regardless of age?

 

[molman]

Off to Japan, Europe or USA I guess, we all know what happens, as soon as they move elsewhere they start performing. I hope DC is building that culture where guys want to stick around. Having Beale coming back is a double edged sword, yes experience but from bench, I hope.

I agree with Ramm, he has huge potential, I think on the wing though

I think 2023 will be interesting for the Tahs with a new home stadium and proper training facilities. You can brush over it, but working environment matters.

 

[PhilClinton]

I think 2023 will be interesting for the Tahs with a new home stadium and proper training facilities. You can brush over it, but working environment matters.

Doesn’t that go against the sentiment of nearly every feel-good sports movie ever made?

The team with the fancy new training facilities and shiny things inevitably comes undone from lack of soul and are beaten by the under dogs?

It’s the reason I’ve been petitioning against the Ballymore upgrade, I feel like the Reds need to squeeze another two Premierships in before they take that mantle.

 

[Adam84]

It’s an interesting concept, Broncos spent $30million on a new training facility lauded as the best in the NRL and have had their two of their worst ever seasons since it opened.

 

[RugbyReg]

Doesn’t that go against the sentiment of nearly every feel-good sports movie ever made?

The team with the fancy new training facilities and shiny things inevitably comes undone from lack of soul and are beaten by the under dogs?

It’s the reason I’ve been petitioning against the Ballymore upgrade, I feel like the Reds need to squeeze another two Premierships in before they take that mantle.

Literally petitioning against it? Or just verbally expressing your non support?