Waratahs 2023

[Brumby Runner]

Absolutely, us and Brumbies on par.
Bold prediction, I actually see the Reds will be the worst performing Aussie team. With Tupou gone, they are seriously lacking.

I also think that Thorn's coaching might be getting a bit stale. While I don't think they'll be at the bottom, I do think they'll regress from the past couple of years.

Incidentally, Brumbies have 17 Wallabies on their books next year (and some no-names).

 

[fatprop]

I also think that Thorn's coaching might be getting a bit stale. While I don't think they'll be at the bottom, I do think they'll regress from the past couple of years.

Incidentally, Brumbies have 17 Wallabies on their books next year (and some no-names).

And a known, consistent system, the Ponies will be fine if they don't get trashed for injuries in the wrong spots, like 12 & props etc

 

[Brumby Runner]

FP, grandmother and sucking eggs etc, but I don’t expect the Brumbies to have prop problems worse than any others with Kaitau and Kaihea backing up Slipper and Ala'alatoa.

But wrong discussion on this thread.

 

[fatprop]

FP, grandmother and sucking eggs etc, but I don’t expect the Brumbies to have prop problems worse than any others with Kaitau and Kaihea backing up Slipper and Ala'alatoa.

But wrong discussion on this thread.

Tahs were down to their third choice THP and were scratching around club land for the bench (bringing it back to the thread)

Props
Angus Bell (Sydney University), Tiaan Taukipulu (Randwick), Te Tera Faulkner (Southern Districts), Harry Johnson-Holmes (Sydney University), Tom Lambert (Sydney University), Archer Holz (Eastern Suburbs)

Tahs lose both Bell & HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) and bench will survive starting, but the 5th & 6th choice options .................................

 

[Pass it to Dunning!]

How do you feel the Tahs will go this season given this squad? I think they are lacking some quality locks but the rest looks good.

They'll probably play Hanigan and Holloway at lock. The Sydney Uni lock they signed also looks pretty good.

 

[stillmissit]

They'll probably play Hanigan and Holloway at lock. The Sydney Uni lock they signed also looks pretty good.

I was very bullish about them this season but they need a couple of decent locks with Holloway to 6 and they have a strong pack.

 

[Froggy]

Will Holloway play 6 in front of a fit Swinton? May be forced to lock.

 

[qwerty51]

Seu will start as one lock surely. I think Holloway is probably the better lock over Hanigan (bulkier) and was very good there this year.

3rd lock, not sure, could be Hanigan off the bench but geez finishing with Holloway and Hanigan as locks is a good way to get destroyed late in tight.

 

[Braveheart81]

Seu will start as one lock surely. I think Holloway is probably the better lock over Hanigan (bulkier) and was very good there this year.

3rd lock, not sure, could be Hanigan off the bench but geez finishing with Holloway and Hanigan as locks is a good way to get destroyed late in tight.

We need Seu to be good.

Cridge was solid last year and fit that role of a big bodied lock but he wasn't better overall than Hanigan even though more suitable to the side for balance.

 

[qwerty51]

I just checked Samoa's last line-ups. In their most recent match v Romania, Seu played 6

He started at lock against Georgia and was the bench lock v Italy. It's good that he's a mainstay in the Samoan 23. Their pack has some decent quality in it (Vui, Fritz Lee, McFarland, Gray, Taufua etc.)

 

[Marce]

Definitely he has the size to play there (2,02 m) he's taller than Holloway (1,96 m) and Hanigan (1,96 m).

I should have watched carefully the Samoan test matches

 

[Marce]

Some Tahs combos to watch this Saturday:
6/8 Holloway/Gleeson
9/10 Gordon/Donaldson
11 Nawa

 

[Pfitzy]

Tahs First team looks a little like this IMHO if all fit:

1 Bell
2 Porecki
3 HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes)
4 Hanigan
5 Holloway
6 Swinton
7 Hooper/Gamble
8 Harris
9 Gordon
10 Donaldson
11 Nawanitawase
12 Foketi
13 Perese
14 Pietsch
15 Beale

16 Latu
17 Faulkner
18 Holz
19 Sinclair
20 Gleeson
21 Wilson
22 Edmed
23 Nadolo

Could do a bit of swapping there but I reckon that is alright.

 

[Wilson]

Tahs First team looks a little like this IMHO if all fit:

1 Bell
2 Porecki
3 HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) (Harry Johnson-Holmes)
4 Hanigan
5 Holloway
6 Swinton
7 Hooper/Gamble
8 Harris
9 Gordon
10 Donaldson
11 Nawanitawase
12 Foketi
13 Perese
14 Pietsch
15 Beale

16 Latu
17 Faulkner
18 Holz
19 Sinclair
20 Gleeson
21 Wilson
22 Edmed
23 Nadolo

Could do a bit of swapping there but I reckon that is alright.

Would of thought Harrison edges Edmed for the bench spot, offers a bit more positional cover.

Who out of Hooper, Gamble and Gleeson are you dropping if they're all fit?

 

[Pfitzy]

Would of thought Harrison edges Edmed for the bench spot, offers a bit more positional cover.

Who out of Hooper, Gamble and Gleeson are you dropping if they're all fit?

Gleeson, probably.

Harrison perhaps but I'm concerned about physicality on defense.

 

[molman]

Would of thought Harrison edges Edmed for the bench spot, offers a bit more positional cover.

Who out of Hooper, Gamble and Gleeson are you dropping if they're all fit?

Not a bad problem to have though is it. I'd be curious if they manage Hoopers workload this season.

 

[fatprop]

Prediction - Harrison Goddard to do rather well this season

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Prediction - Harrison Goddard to do rather well this season

I agree. DC definitely knows how to use him, and he has a good kicking game. Think he will be ahead of Wilson to start the season off the season being older and more experienced.

Plenty of competition for spots which is a strange feeling. With the inevitable injuries and potential resting of player with the RWC the team is in great shape.

I know Joey Walton is back and I do think Edmed could play 12 but if there are injuries to Foketi & Perese it could be limiting to the team.

 

[fatprop]

I know Joey Walton is back and I do think Edmed could play 12 but if there are injuries to Foketi & Perese it could be limiting to the team.

Prior to Walton's injury I thought he was the most complete text book 12 in the country, but Foteki demonstrated this year a running game I didn't think was in him, I can't see Edmed playing 12 without a lot of injuries

 

[Derpus]

Tahs First team looks a little like this IMHO if all fit:

1 Bell
2 Porecki
3 HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) (Harry Johnson-Holmes)
4 Hanigan
5 Holloway
6 Swinton
7 Hooper/Gamble
8 Harris
9 Gordon
10 Donaldson
11 Nawanitawase
12 Foketi
13 Perese
14 Pietsch
15 Beale

16 Latu
17 Faulkner
18 Holz
19 Sinclair
20 Gleeson
21 Wilson
22 Edmed
23 Nadolo

Could do a bit of swapping there but I reckon that is alright.

I'd swap Beale for Harrison. Beale was absolutely shocking right before he left us last and that was years ago. Prefer to bet on the young kid.