Waratahs 2023

[Froggy]

What don't you like about Holtz FP? Yes, he has some developing to do, but I thought he showed some real potential. He only got a touch up in the scrum in one game by a much more experienced prop, but he'll learn from that, it happens to all young props, he shows a willingness to work hard around the paddock, and he's a massive unit.

 

[fatprop]

Reg posted this on Twitter, we have 3 LHPs in the U21s this year. So the pipeline is OK for LHPs IMHO, when you look at THP & locks, the pipeline is less impressive, Holz looks good, but we are lacking in behind

 

[7137]

Hamdahn Tuipolotu and Tiaan Tauakipulu are in the wings on the TH side also. Sure, they are from NZ and we’re not jnr Wallabies but both promising options

Jeremy Williams and Max Douglas are coming through at lock. Also High Bokenham.

 

[Hawko]

Twelve months ago we were in dire circumstances for a THP and locks. Holz came from nowhere to fill the THP gap and we went for backrowers to fill in at lock reasonably successfully (though I would argue that the Chiefs somewhat exposed that deficiency in the quarter final). Skelton is the last lock we had with any quality that was a big bruiser I think; we do not seem to develop them like we do mobile converted backrowers. Not quite sure why, but QLD and ACT seem to get the big boppa's, though LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) was a NSW product we let slip through our fingers.

Who knows, another six months in the gym for Tauakipulu may make all the difference. He just looked to be under-powered for the role early in the season and then Holz stepped up. Keeping these guys engaged while they develop is the difficult thing to do.

I haven't seen Bokenham, but both Williams and Douglas look to be in the lightweight workhorses category. But again, another six months of solid gym work could make a big difference. I sure hope so.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Twelve months ago we were in dire circumstances for a THP and locks. Holz came from nowhere to fill the THP gap and we went for backrowers to fill in at lock reasonably successfully (though I would argue that the Chiefs somewhat exposed that deficiency in the quarter final). Skelton is the last lock we had with any quality that was a big bruiser I think; we do not seem to develop them like we do mobile converted backrowers. Not quite sure why, but QLD and ACT seem to get the big boppa's, though LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) was a NSW product we let slip through our fingers.

Who knows, another six months in the gym for Tauakipulu may make all the difference. He just looked to be under-powered for the role early in the season and then Holz stepped up. Keeping these guys engaged while they develop is the difficult thing to do.

I haven't seen Bokenham, but both Williams and Douglas look to be in the lightweight workhorses category. But again, another six months of solid gym work could make a big difference. I sure hope so.

Frost as nsw product choosing elsewhere was an ouch…but in many ways can understand why as tahs were basket case up till this year. Now much more solid footings under Coleman we don’t lose the next frost.

 

[qwerty51]

Nadolo not in the Tigers 23 for the Premiership final.

What an inspired signing. Off the back of Jamie Roberts signing. Pathetic.

 

[bring back rucking]

Hamdahn Tuipolotu and Tiaan Tauakipulu are in the wings on the TH side also. Sure, they are from NZ and we’re not jnr Wallabies but both promising options

Jeremy Williams and Max Douglas are coming through at lock. Also High Bokenham.

Max and Hugh are both 8’s playing lock. Williams is touch and go. We need a genuine lock… Frost would be perfect but he chose the crusaders over the tahs whilst in year 12 at Knox and has now found his home at the brums…. We lack that genuine rock shifter, haven’t had one since the late great Dan Vickerman. That should be the number 1 focus for the tahs.

 

[qwerty51]

That's a bit harsh on Kane Douglas. He was enormous literally and figurately for the Tahs 2010-2015.

But yes big lock critical, stopping signing dud Kiwi ones too who can't crack their Super sides.

 

[Lindommer]

Even Vickerman wasn't a Tahs developed lock. Sigh.........

 

[lpd]

Nadolo not in the Tigers 23 for the Premiership final.

What an inspired signing. Off the back of Jamie Roberts signing. Pathetic.

Mate he’s scored 10 tries in 16 starts - they’re also not starting van poortvliet who has been one of their best (Ben youngs on the bench).
It’s obviously a tactical decision

 

[qwerty51]

Mate he’s scored 10 tries in 16 starts - they’re also not starting van poortvliet who has been one of their best (Ben youngs on the bench).
It’s obviously a tactical decision

I know it's tactical, he's not injured but he's deemed surplus to requirements. Why are the Tahs signing him again? I'm sure he wants to live in Sydney and he's looking for a nice paycheck to ease into retire from.

It's just a very poor signing for me. I mean we have Ramm, Newsome and Rielly leaving not saying Nadolo is necessarily pushing them out but it's just such poor recruitment.

 

[Pass it to Dunning!]

If Nadolo isn't even on the bench for the Tigers, he can't have cost the Tahs very much to sign. Frankly, I don't mind having an experienced unit who can come on when the opposition is worn out and do some damage. We don't have a lot of depth on the wings next year.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Mate he’s scored 10 tries in 16 starts - they’re also not starting van poortvliet who has been one of their best (Ben youngs on the bench).
It’s obviously a tactical decision

And seeing as he's leaving the club perhaps they see more value in playing guys who will still be at the club next season. I know that if I were a coach and I found out a player of mine were leaving the club for another I'd begin to reduce their game time in favour of providing an opportunity for players I know will still be there next season over the leaving player. Yes, even if they were a marquee. Not that Nadolo is/was for Leicester. Not really sure about that in the Premiership.

 

[qwerty51]

It’s the grand final, you can’t be serious.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

It’s the grand final, you can’t be serious.

And yet. Here we are.

 

[qwerty51]

And yet. Here we are.

Not sure what you're saying, you're arguing Borthwick maybe is picking a player over Nadolo because that player is sticking around next year in a grand final?

 

[Hawko]

That's a bit harsh on Kane Douglas. He was enormous literally and figurately for the Tahs 2010-2015.

But yes big lock critical, stopping signing dud Kiwi ones too who can't crack their Super sides.

The first para I agree with. But I think we almost got value out of Cridge this year, he wouldn't have cost much. Mind you we got nothing out of last year's duo. Problem is, we don't seem to develop them through Shute, just the lightweight workhorses.

 

[Hawko]

View attachment 13847

Reg posted this on Twitter, we have 3 LHPs in the U21s this year. So the pipeline is OK for LHPs IMHO, when you look at THP & locks, the pipeline is less impressive, Holz looks good, but we are lacking in behind

Reg seems to have missed a few, particularly among the injured. Maybe this was an immediately available list. But it is a very useful list to compare and contrast - I like it!

 

[RugbyReg]

Reg seems to have missed a few, particularly among the injured. Maybe this was an immediately available list. But it is a very useful list to compare and contrast - I like it!

its the named squads - Wallabies, Aussie A and Jnr Wallabies

 

[lpd]

I know it's tactical, he's not injured but he's deemed surplus to requirements. Why are the Tahs signing him again? I'm sure he wants to live in Sydney and he's looking for a nice paycheck to ease into retire from.

It's just a very poor signing for me. I mean we have Ramm, Newsome and Rielly leaving not saying Nadolo is necessarily pushing them out but it's just such poor recruitment.

They’re playing saracens and have started Richard wigglesworth - they are going to kick the shit out of it so are playing wingers who will just kick chase all day.

squidge has done a video on Leicester that’s shows quite nicely how the have been have been using him.

whether it’s poor recruitment from a longevity or player retention perspective is another question