Waratahs 2023

[rodha]

Why does Hugh Sinclair continue to be used at lock? 1.91cm and 104kg, are the Tah's desperate?

 

[qwerty51]

Who else is there to use? Everyone has criticised the Tahs (lack of decent) locks for months.

 

[rodha]

Hanigan? Von Appen or Zane Marolt

 

[qwerty51]

Hanigan is injured. Those guys are from 1st grade and much younger and have zero experience compared to Sinclair who looked fine last year. Why are you so confident they're better than Sinclair - right now?

FWIW, I would place Sinclair at 1.95cm and 116kgs.

Don't forget Sinclair played lock for Aus A against big packs Tonga, Fiji and Samoa and did fine. He's bulked up from his Shute Shield days at #8.

 

[wamberal]

Hanigan is injured. Those guys are from 1st grade and much younger and have zero experience compared to Sinclair who looked fine last year. Why are you so confident they're better than Sinclair - right now?

FWIW, I would place Sinclair at 1.95cm and 116kgs.

Sinclair plays above his weight.

 

[Drew]

Sinclair has points on the board.

 

[7137]

FWIW, I would place Sinclair at 1.95cm and 116kgs.

Not tall for a lock but one of our most consistent performers over the last couple of years. And this is coming from someone who criticised his signing!

basically the same size as Dave Dennis who was an excellent Super Rugby lock.

 

[Marce]

And some people tell me that I can't follow League if I'm an Union supporter. If my heroe does it, I can do it too lol

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Not tall for a lock but one of our most consistent performers over the last couple of years. And this is coming from someone who criticised his signing!

basically the same size as Dave Dennis who was an excellent Super Rugby lock.

Good reference re Dennis. I was a bit flat when he was signed as well but he has not let the Tahs down and I have no doubt been a steady head around a young group.

I think he lacks the speed at Super Rugby level to be in the backrow unlike Dave Dennis could so he is forced to be in the 2nd row in which the Tahs have a need.

 

[7137]

Good reference re Dennis. I was a bit flat when he was signed as well but he has not let the Tahs down and I have no doubt been a steady head around a young group.

I think he lacks the speed at Super Rugby level to be in the backrow unlike Dave Dennis could so he is forced to be in the 2nd row in which the Tahs have a need.

Size isn’t everything. I’d take a small Sinclair over Jack “wet lettuce leaf” Whetton or Sam “couldn’t be fucked” Caird.

 

[fatprop]

Found this link - provides a summary of the wounded

Draft Rugby

The game they play online in heaven

draftrugby.com

Waratahs
Kurtley Beale – Has been stood down until his legal battle is finished. The next court date is March 22nd so he won’t be seen before then. Source.
Harry Johnson-Holmes – Ruptured his Achilles in Wallabies camp before the July test. Aiming to return by rd 3-4. Source.
Joey Walton – Had an operation to clean out a disc in his lower back. As of the end of January, he was 6 weeks away which would mean he is aiming for a round 2-3 return. Source.
Will Harrison – Had a big multi-ligament knee injury during Super Round early in 2022 and had surgery on his patella and MCL. Aiming to in round 3. Source.
Ned Hanigan – Came off with a knee injury in the Feb 11th trial when Dane Zander fell awkardly on his knee. Looking like an MCL type injury. Aiming to return round 2-4. Source.
Tiaan Tauakipulu – Has a knee injury from the preseason. Aiming to be back in round 2 or 3. Source.
Dylan Pietsch – Went down in the trial against the Brumbies on the 4th of Feb with a quad tear. Expected back rd 2-3. Source.

 

[Braveheart81]

The Waratahs provided this with their team release.

Players unavailable for selection:

Dylan Pietsch – Quad (Round 2-3)

Harry Johnson-Holmes – Achilles (Round 3-4)

Joey Walton – Back (Round 2-3)

Ned Hanigan – Knee (Round 2-4)

Tiaan Tauakipulu – Knee (Round 2-3)

Will Harrison – Knee (Round 3)

 

[qwerty51]

Look who is at #8...

 

[Dctarget]

View attachment 15343Look who is at #8...

Good he’s still involved. Should move to the Rebels

 

[7137]

Good he’s still involved. Should move to the Rebels

It’s not like the Rebels (or anyone else for that matter) aren’t free to sign him. He’s uncontracted and just kicking around in Shute Sheild.

 

[fatprop]

View attachment 15343Look who is at #8...

Sione Hopoate of the famous father?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Yep. Looks just like him as well.

What happened to Albert Hopoate? He had a lot of ability.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Seems to have bounced around NSW Cup and QLD Cup with a reasonable strike rate scoring tries.

 

[Adam84]

Albert had back to back ACL injuries.
John Hopoate has 11 children, some of whom are playing NRL/NSW Cup or union rugby juniors, including his daughters.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Albert looked like he was going to be the next quality player like Will who has had a really long career now.

Some have definitely got further due to name or been given chances like Jamil who has shown himself to be someone you don't want at your team.

Just imagine the terror they must have caused junior footy on the Northern beaches of Sydney for a long time.