Brumbies Guy
John Solomon (38)
I remember last season Tahs fans jumping on the Brumbies 2011 thread saying "season over- thread closed", lucky us Brumbies are much nicer guys.
Waratahs V Brumbies @ Homebush
- Thread starter fatprop
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I remember last season Tahs fans jumping on the Brumbies 2011 thread saying "season over- thread closed", lucky us Brumbies are much nicer guys.
Waratahs set to field new halves pairing of Grayson Hart and Bernard Foley for clash with Brumbies
- By Jamie Pandaram
- The Daily Telegraph
- July 03, 2012 8:23AM
Shock starter ... Hart is set to be handed the Tahs' No.9 jersey on Saturday night. Source: Paul Seiser Photography / Supplied
Grayson Hart, who kept All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith on the bench in the New Zealand under-20s side, is set to be a shock selection at No.9 for New South Wales Waratahs against the Brumbies this weekend.
The Shute Shield player is likely to partner Bernard Foley in one of the least experienced halves pairings for NSW since the early days of Super Rugby.
Their selections also mean a switch to centre for Berrick Barnes after having had two successive man-of-the-match performances for the Wallabies at five-eighth.
Brumbies centre Pat McCabe, who partnered Barnes in the Wallabies midfield but will directly oppose him on Saturday night, was amazed by the playmaker's ability to deal with his son's premature birth and lead Australia to victory over Wales.
"It was a difficult time with what was going on back in Sydney, and he was outstanding, getting man-of-the-match in two out of three Tests," McCabe said. "We're very aware he can play equally well at No.12."
Hart's expected start ahead of NSW's regulars Sarel Pretorius and Brendan McKibbin comes after he played for Southern Districts against Eastwood last weekend.
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The 24-year-old trained with the Waratahs on Monday and despite nursing a hand injury is expected to be fit to make his NSW debut at ANZ Stadium.
Hart, the nephew of former All Blacks coach John Hart, does have experience at Super Rugby level. He was the youngest halfback to play for the Blues when, as a 20-year-old, he featured in seven Super 14 games in 2009.
Nevertheless, it is a long time between drinks and additionally difficult when the five-eighth, Foley, has never started in that key position in Super Rugby.
"If you have that direct communication between yourself and the No.9 you'll go a long way in achieving your overall objective," Foley said.
"There is that unfamiliarity, but with that is excitement."
Hart was a member of the victorious 2008 New Zealand under-20s team alongside All Blacks Sam Whitelock, Zac Guildford and Smith, who was his back-up.
Hart and Smith have taken vastly different roads since, with the former struggling after an early initiation at the Blues and finding his way to Sydney.
Smith worked through the New Zealand system, became a regular starter at the Highlanders this year and cemented the All Blacks halfback position with three outstanding performances against Ireland last month.
Foley, who has been playing at fullback for the Waratahs, said Barnes could still call the shots: "He is still allowed to be the dominant playmaker ... It's probably going to help Berrick play a bit more ad-lib."
Hart? Why? What does he bring?
Brumby Jack
Steve Williams (59)
Heart?
I wonder if they're trying to work out whether to re-sign him for 2013.
waratahjesus
Greg Davis (50)
They shoud be throwing money at burgess instead.
Brumbies Guy
John Solomon (38)
Sarel is an exciting player, but a terrible halfback.
Good to see that Paddy Ryan is healthy again.
Is John Ulugia injured or have they decided that Josh Mann-Rae is now the preferred reserve hooker?
I am guessing that the selections of Hart and Mann-Rae might have more to do with 2013 contracts than who the Tahs consider the best 22 players right now.
Is John Ulugia injured or have they decided that Josh Mann-Rae is now the preferred reserve hooker?
I am guessing that the selections of Hart and Mann-Rae might have more to do with 2013 contracts than who the Tahs consider the best 22 players right now.
Hugh Jarse
Rocky Elsom (76)
Being an ex Little Darknesser, is Hart available for selection in the Men in Gold, or has that door been shut due to Jnr RWC representation? Follow on question, is he registered as a Marquee player for the 'Tahs?
Hmmm Grayson - Grey Son - Grey = partially Dark - little black - Little Darknesser - I could have some fun with this lads name and background.
Jnr RWC wouldn't affect his eligibility for Australia
http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/community/wiki/eligibility-rules/
http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/community/wiki/eligibility-rules/
Can't wait to see what you do with Mann-Rae
Rugbyrugbyrugby
Frank Row (1)
You will find that he brings a similar skill-set to Aaron Smith of the All Blacks. Sharp delivery and a good kicking game. He's also re-signed for next year already...
Hugh Jarse
Rocky Elsom (76)
I am really hoping Uncle Manu and others have recognised the awesome potential of a young fella from Narrabeen from recent U16 State Champs - Greg Steele-Mills. Can't wait. Carn the Rats.
he hasn't brought it to Southern Districts consistently ....
That is a great name.
I played some junior rugby with a guy named Dash Swift. He played in the front row.
I played some junior rugby with a guy named Dash Swift. He played in the front row.
Rugbyrugbyrugby
Frank Row (1)
He's been the best scrum half in the shute shield. SMH are of the opinion that his form for Souths led to him being handed the starting jersey http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...hs-select-rookie-halfback-20120703-21e42.html
Watch and see what he brings at this level.
Hugh Jarse
Rocky Elsom (76)
Oh...... such beautiful irony. I live in hope that he was about 140kg and scrummed like a D9 Caterpillar Dozer.
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