Waratahs 2022

[Jamie]

Ironically Pietsch has replaced Newsome as the ' placeholder' outside back of the Waratahs - the player you reluctantly select because you don't have any better options.

Newsome offers more than Pietsch at this level and surprisingly has arguably more upside.

That seems to be the case, honestly, I would gladly eat humble pie if he has a blinder against the Chiefs

 

[Braveheart81]

Yes, he probably would prefer 10, but we have three of them, and of those I think Harrison makes the best 15.

Darren Coleman said exactly this.

 

[Pass it to Dunning!]

I think we're getting a fairer look at Newsome this year. When a team is playing badly, it hard for a winger or fullback to stand out. And last year's awful defensive structure always left them short on the wing. It made the wingers look far weaker defensively than they were.
That being said, all the backs are tackling better this year.

 

[7137]

I fully expect both Harrison and Donaldson to start against the Chiefs. We are going to need better clearance kicks and the left right boot options they offer. Most important is that we don’t spend any longer than absolutely necessary in our 22 and reliably get it over the sideline.
I don’t think Edmed is a patch on Donaldson for clearance kicks. And Newsome certainly doesn’t match Harrison.

 

[Lightblue]

I fully expect both Harrison and Donaldson to start against the Chiefs. We are going to need better clearance kicks and the left right boot options they offer. Most important is that we don’t spend any longer than absolutely necessary in our 22 and reliably get it over the sideline.
I don’t think Edmed is a patch on Donaldson for clearance kicks. And Newsome certainly doesn’t match Harrison.

I think Coleman will have Edmed to stay at 10 as he has taken his chance and played well. Harrison to fullback... Donaldson is available but may not make bench if they feel that Harrison is cover for Edmed?
Newsome to Pietch’s wing.
Tough when you have 3 good 10’s and a good coach who seems to reward performance, which is great imho.

 

[RugbyReg]

Which leaves the question - where does Jack Bowen end up?

 

[Braveheart81]

Which leaves the question - where does Jack Bowen end up?

That's a good question. Maybe he's still a year off demanding a full time contract.

In my view the Tahs need to re-sign Edmed for 2023 (Harrison and Donaldson already signed) and then give themselves a better idea on the priorities to retain post 2023.

Maybe at that point they have to resign themselves to losing one of them and then maybe Bowen comes in as the development option.

 

[Rugby Head]

That's a good question. Maybe he's still a year off demanding a full time contract.

In my view the Tahs need to re-sign Edmed for 2023 (Harrison and Donaldson already signed) and then give themselves a better idea on the priorities to retain post 2023.

Maybe at that point they have to resign themselves to losing one of them and then maybe Bowen comes in as the development option.

I think with the scarcity of quality 10s in super rugby, the Tahs face the harsh reality of losing one of the three.

 

[Tah Man]

I think we're getting a fairer look at Newsome this year. When a team is playing badly, it hard for a winger or fullback to stand out. And last year's awful defensive structure always left them short on the wing. It made the wingers look far weaker defensively than they were.
That being said, all the backs are tackling better this year.

Add to that he is finally getting a run in his preferred position of fullback and you can see why he has been better than the last two years.

He has never had the most lethal ball running skills so behind a pack going backwards isn't going to do much. I'd argue his overall skillset is his best asset. Great footy brain, good finisher and played a fair bit of 10 at Joeys so has underrated playmaking skills

 

[Braveheart81]

I think with the scarcity of quality 10s in super rugby, the Tahs face the harsh reality of losing one of the three.

I certainly think that is a decent chance after 2023 providing they all continue to improve.

I would be surprised if they can't re-sign Edmed for next season though. I don't think his opportunities are significantly better elsewhere.

 

[Derpus]

I certainly think that is a decent chance after 2023 providing they all continue to improve.

I would be surprised if they can't re-sign Edmed for next season though. I don't think his opportunities are significantly better elsewhere.

Yeah Carter Gordon seems to have been burnt pretty badly moving for potential minutes.

 

[Lightblue]

Yeah Carter Gordon seems to have been burnt pretty badly moving for potential minutes.

Maybe he is training poorly and coaches see what we don’t? I personally agree with you as I don’t think To’omua is a 10. A stop gap one who is best suited to 12.

 

[fatprop]

I think with the scarcity of quality 10s in super rugby, the Tahs face the harsh reality of losing one of the three.

Possibly, but to where?

And why would it be better for their rugby?

There is a lot of evidence stuff isn't greener elsewhere and none of the 3 has locked in their spot where they are

 

[Rugby Head]

Possibly, but to where?

And why would it be better for their rugby?

There is a lot of evidence stuff isn't greener elsewhere and none of the 3 has locked in their spot where they are

with KB (Kurtley Beale) back into the fold next season, it's pretty likely he will lock down the 15 jersey. We then have 3 super ready 10s competing for 2 jerseys, so one is likely to look elsewhere for more playing time.
Reds could do with a back up 10, Brumbies could be on the lookout a back up to Lolesio (Although Iona is solid) and I'd take all three over Carter Gordon every day of the week.

 

[Jimmyjam]

Two of them start at both10 and 15, with the other on the bench, all getting good minutes every week. Can mix and match as well. Issue next year is where Beale slots in... Always injury opportunities at this level, so generally one of the 3 would be on light duties at any given moment. Edmed has a pretty solid physique and could easily handle 12 as well. Plenty of opportunity to play all 3 IMO. It's the other blokes on the fringe that may well miss out..

Tahs could look something like this...

Gordon
Edmed/Donaldson
Nadolo (so the word on the street says)
Beale / Edmed
Foketi
Perese
Harrison

Grant/Robertson
Edmed/Donaldson/Beale
Mark Nawaqa / Ramm etc.

 

[Tah Man]

Two of them start at both10 and 15, with the other on the bench, all getting good minutes every week. Can mix and match as well. Issue next year is where Beale slots in... Always injury opportunities at this level, so generally one of the 3 would be on light duties at any given moment. Edmed has a pretty solid physique and could easily handle 12 as well. Plenty of opportunity to play all 3 IMO. It's the other blokes on the fringe that may well miss out..

Tahs could look something like this...

Gordon
Edmed/Donaldson
Nadolo (so the word on the street says)
Beale / Edmed
Foketi
Perese
Harrison

Grant/Robertson
Edmed/Donaldson/Beale
Mark Nawaqa / Ramm etc.

I wouldn't be changing the centre pairing, they are just starting to flourish and both signed on until 2024

 

[Drew]

Before he left for OS I distinctly remember Beale (and Hunt) stepping inside Harrison at 10 in attacking positions, this mostly resulted in all or nothing plays (grubbers/chips, cut out passes to the touchie, jinking runs across field starving outside backs of space) this killed our momentum and our defence last year really didn’t warrant giving up possession so easily. If Beale can do a QC (Quade Cooper) and not try and make something happen every time I’d be happy for him to be included. Obviously he’s highly skilled. But at present I’d prefer our best present backline getting more continuity.

 

[Braveheart81]

with KB (Kurtley Beale) back into the fold next season, it's pretty likely he will lock down the 15 jersey. We then have 3 super ready 10s competing for 2 jerseys, so one is likely to look elsewhere for more playing time.
Reds could do with a back up 10, Brumbies could be on the lookout a back up to Lolesio (Although Iona is solid) and I'd take all three over Carter Gordon every day of the week.

We're only talking about Edmed for next season. The other two are contracted already.

Now maybe the Rebels do make him a big offer for multiple years for Edmed but I would also be surprised if they did.

My question is why would Edmed move for what is most likely a backup role next season? That's not materially better than he has at the Tahs. I can certainly see him only signing a one year contract so he can work out the lay of the land post RWC.

 

[Wilson]

We're only talking about Edmed for next season. The other two are contracted already.

Now maybe the Rebels do make him a big offer for multiple years for Edmed but I would also be surprised if they did.

My question is why would Edmed move for what is most likely a backup role next season? That's not materially better than he has at the Tahs. I can certainly see him only signing a one year contract so he can work out the lay of the land post RWC.

I doubt the Rebels or the Force would have enough to offer to pull him away for next season, the big question is probably the Brumbies - if they see him as a 10/12 option then that's probably a better chance of making the 15/23 each week than he has at the tahs with Beale back, and at the side with the best track record of developing young players in the country.

That said I think you're probably right in that he'll take another year at the tahs to push his claim and see where he stands. The movement will come for the 2024 season when all 3 of Harrison, Donaldson and Edmed are theoretically off contract, I just can't see them all fitting at that point.

 

[Braveheart81]

The movement will come for the 2024 season when all 3 of Harrison, Donaldson and Edmed are theoretically off contract, I just can't see them all fitting at that point.

Neither can I but likewise the Tahs should have more information at hand to determine the priorities for retention. With any luck one of them will be considered important to retain for RA and they'll get some assistance there.