Waratahs 2023

[HogansHeros]

Id be fine if Hooper only played 50% of the games TBH. Need him for the RWC and Gamble is a beast.

Can only be of benefit to the Tahs long term if Hooper is rested lots, giving some of the younger guys some game time. Cant imagine Hoops will be around that much longer after whats happened in recent history..

 

[cyclopath]

Id be fine if Hooper only played 50% of the games TBH. Need him for the RWC and Gamble is a beast.

I could see Hooper and Gamble being alternated as starter / finisher to mix it up a bit, depending on the opposition etc...
Could be good for both.

 

[Members Section]

Faulkner and Holz aren't the worst backups in Australia...(reds are doomed). Lambert has an ok CV and the development THP is Tauakipulu who has been around the squad a couple years now developing.

I actually think Holtz is a lions series sneaky

 

[Marce]

I want to see something like this of Tahs preseason:

Pre-season week three | Week three is underway! #WeAreRaiders | By Canberra Raiders | Facebook

Week three is underway! #WeAreRaiders

fb.watch

Just to motivate me! I mean I'm not a Raiders supporter and that's video turns me on

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I actually think Holtz is a lions series sneaky

So do I. He's a bloody big unit that still developing. I was nervous last year when he was thrown into starting but he performed well above what I thought was going to happen.

 

[John S]

So do I. He's a bloody big unit that still developing. I was nervous last year when he was thrown into starting but he performed well above what I thought was going to happen.

I think the Tahs have a couple of smokeys coming through - just look at Langi Gleeson this year.

 

[fatprop]

I could see Hooper and Gamble being alternated as starter / finisher to mix it up a bit, depending on the opposition etc...
Could be good for both.

It is interesting to see how quickly Hooper went from being the most reliable, uninjured unit who played full minutes week in, week out every year to now needing his minutes managed

Having the Hooper/Gamble bench swap means the 6 & 8 need to be budgeted for near 80 minutes each, I don't think that will be an effective use of the bench

 

[qwerty51]

Father time is undefeated as they say.

 

[Drew]

You’re right, with all our 6 and 8s, a specialist 7 on the bench would be wasteful. The best options, to me anyways, would be either a Gooper type set up, rest Hooper all together or use Gamble as a Samu type sub/starter if Hooper starts or is off the bench.

 

[Members Section]

So do I. He's a bloody big unit that still developing. I was nervous last year when he was thrown into starting but he performed well above what I thought was going to happen.

Did a role for aus a as well, still a long way to go but tours like that can only help him

 

[Pfitzy]

and the development THP is Tauakipulu who has been around the squad a couple years now developing.

Came on against the Drua this year and gave away 3 penalties in a row?

Must develop further.

 

[Marce]

It is interesting to see how quickly Hooper went from being the most reliable, uninjured unit who played full minutes week in, week out every year to now needing his minutes managed

I think he traveled to the European tour to avoid the preseason from day 1 lol

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

It is interesting to see how quickly Hooper went from being the most reliable, uninjured unit who played full minutes week in, week out every year to now needing his minutes managed

Having the Hooper/Gamble bench swap means the 6 & 8 need to be budgeted for near 80 minutes each, I don't think that will be an effective use of the bench

I think it wouldn’t even be brought up of Gamble wasn’t around. What’s better, Hooper at 60min or a fresh Gamble? Could also pay off big time towards the end of the year if both have had a chance to recover that little bit more.

Yeah he’s older and it’s a World Cup year but teams always have to find a away to keep getting better and I think this is one of those opportunities.

 

[dusk]

As far as I can work out Sua'ali'i played Firsts at King's in year 10 and then sat out rugby in years 11 and 12 to play junior league. Not a good look.

Happy to be corrected.

Not true for the most part. He played first xv rugby in 2019 and 2018

 

[fatprop]

I think it wouldn’t even be brought up of Gamble wasn’t around. What’s better, Hooper at 60min or a fresh Gamble? Could also pay off big time towards the end of the year if both have had a chance to recover that little bit more.

Yeah he’s older and it’s a World Cup year but teams always have to find a away to keep getting better and I think this is one of those opportunities.

I agree it would be make for a great combination, but the 6 & 8 would be required to do 80 minutes each, that isn't optimal, either Gamble & Hooper are units to budget 80 on - not both the balance of the backrow.

I want to see angry cruncher, replaced by angry cruncher

 

[Marce]

New Tahs shirts

Home:

Away:

Heritage:

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I like them but I gotta say plain White Away jerseys are disappointing.

Even a little bit of a pattern would be good. It’s your chance to take a bit of a swing.

 

[Froggy]

Lat year Gamble played several games at 6. He is certainly small for that spot, but can do so for the last 20 minutes if that's going to work better.

 

[Pfitzy]

Like the Heritage jersey.

 

[Braveheart81]

Lat year Gamble played several games at 6. He is certainly small for that spot, but can do so for the last 20 minutes if that's going to work better.

For sure although things should be a lot more congested in the backrow this season.

I'm going to assume Holloway and Hanigan predominantly play lock because then we've got Hooper, Gamble, Swinton, Gleeson and Harris to fit into four backrow spots each game.

That's not even considering Sinclair who played a lot last year.