Waratahs 2024

[The Ghost of Raelene]

The tight 5 is still skinny and that’s where games are won no matter what you try.

Sinclair is a valuable guy to have and gets forgotten but they would want a guy like Matt Phillip to harden it up.

I think Harrison can have a big impact and take the 10 jersey if he comes back good to go. Heard nothing and hopefully it’s all to plan. He’s young so I have less worry about what it may have taken from him. Benefit can also come from practicing as the 10 for a full pre season/whenever he’s back since Jorgo is a shoe in for the 15 now. Would only be cover time in the jersey.

 

[rugbyAU]

Based on who they've signed and let go so far, RD1, assuming no injuries, I'd have (I hope I haven't missed anyone):

1. Bell
2. Porecki
3. HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) (Harry Johnson-Holmes)
4. Hanigan
5. Amatosero
6. Holloway
7. Gamble
8. Gleeson
9. Gordon
10. Edmed
11. Pietsch
12. Foketi
13. Perese
14. Nawaqanitawase
15. Jorgensen
16. Vailanu
17. Lambert/Thompson-Stringer
18. Holz
19. Lee-Warner
20. Swinton
21. T. Wilson/Grant
22. Harrison/Walton
23. Walton/Tuipolotu

It's not a bad 23 but big issues with depth at prop, hooker, lock, 10 and 15. Another hooker, lock and dependable 15 would do a bit to sure things up.

I’d have Holloway and hanigan at lock and back row of swinton, gamble and gleeson

would be good to get some more signings

backline pretty obvious but our halves will be one of the worst in the comp

 

[7137]

I'm also curious about how silent everyone's been on the possibility of the Waratahs handing over ownership to the Rugby Australia in their vague and yet to be defined centralisation plans.

Well it’s generally assumed that NSW runs RA, so nobody sees anything strange about it?

 

[Brumby Runner]

legit question - with so many calls for Gleeson to play at 7 for the wallabies, how does that sit with Gamble taking the spot at the Tahs?

Incidentally, Hanigan had a more than useful game for the Baa Baas against the Harlequins. He looks to have muscled up somewhat since last season.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Think he’s the best option for 8 especially with Harris gone.

Tahs need a advantage line runner in the Backrow.

 

[7137]

with so many calls for Gleeson to play at 7 for the wallabies,

Not sure there is that much of a call for it. Just a couple of dogs who won’t drop the bone.

 

[rugbyAU]

Not sure there is that much of a call for it. Just a couple of dogs who won’t drop the bone.

Cough cough qwerty

But Eddie will need to give him more than 10 minutes of test rugby this year before

 

[7137]

Cough cough qwerty

Well if it makes him feel better then we can play Gleeson at 7, Gamble at 6 and Hanigan at 8.
Thats so much better than Hanigan (6), Gamble (7) and Gleeson (8)…..

 

[KOB1987]

Well if it makes him feel better then we can play Gleeson at 7, Gamble at 6 and Hanigan at 8.
Thats so much better than Hanigan (6), Gamble (7) and Gleeson (8)…..

Sub Holloway for Ned and you could be onto something

 

[HogansHeros]

Well if it makes him feel better then we can play Gleeson at 7, Gamble at 6 and Hanigan at 8.
Thats so much better than Hanigan (6), Gamble (7) and Gleeson (8)…..

Im not sold, but maybe now RA has the reigns, if they want to produce Gleeson as the next 7 that might be the case. Theres no strong evidence to prove they want to do that tho

 

[Homer]

Perese could be an option for 15 back-up. Puts in solid hits and given space returning kicks could be lethal.
Running off Harrison in the 2nd half would be a great combo.

 

[7137]

Im not sold, but maybe now Rugby Australia has the reigns, if they want to produce Gleeson as the next 7 that might be the case. Theres no strong evidence to prove they want to do that tho

I think you might have missed my sarcasm

 

[wamberal99]

I would be a bit reluctant to play both Gleeson and Gamble in a starting XV. Of course it all depends on the composition of the rest of the back five forwards.

 

[HogansHeros]

I think you might have missed my sarcasm

Straight over my head.

 

[fatprop]

Best time of year to be a Tahs supporter.

Lots of hope and excitement, no games to provide that reality check

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Perese could be an option for 15 back-up. Puts in solid hits and given space returning kicks could be lethal.
Running off Harrison in the 2nd half would be a great combo.

Would force a change of style unless he has a kicking game I haven't seen.

Teams learn to bury the ball deep as he won't make a devastating return each time and then you have the Tahs stuck in their 22.

Jorgo with Nawaquinitawase & Harrison to cover. Also saw Harry Wilson get games there. He's still with the team right?

 

[eastman]

Perese could be an option for 15 back-up. Puts in solid hits and given space returning kicks could be lethal.
Running off Harrison in the 2nd half would be a great combo.

I’m not sure how any qualities you listed make Perese suitable for fullback?

 

[rugbyAU]

Based off the likely team roster:

Strenghts

- Back 3
- Centre Pairing
- Our starting LHP (i.e. Bell)
- two sound hookers for Super Rugby level
- decent backrowers (Holloway, Gleeson, Lee-Warner)

Weakness

- lack of specialist quality locks
- Halves
- depth at props especially THP

 

[HooperPocockSmith]

Surely they're looking at an NPC lock on the fringes of a NZ super squad. They're short one out-and-out lock for cover.

 

[fatprop]

Not as worried about lock as I am about THP, HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) was the hinging penalty machine this season and Holz hasn't shown a lot, and if one them goes down just what is left?