Waratahs V Highlanders 2011R17

[Lee Grant]

Dean Mumm is yet another Tah in doubt for the game against the Clan. He has a strained a calf muscle, which is never a good thing, and hasn't been training.

As with Fat Cat and Turner, a decision as to whether he will play, or not, will be made on Friday.

 

[Hawko]

Tahs line-up now released:

1. Fat Cat 2. TPN 3. Fuse
4 Mumm 5. Timani
6. Dennis 8. Palu 7. Waugh
9. Burgess
10. Hangers 12. Barnes 13. Carter
11. Anesi 15. Beale 14. Turner

16. Ulugia 17. Tilse 18. O'Connor 19. Perrett 20. Alcock
21. Holmes 22. Pakalani

Hickey has gone for a 5:2 bench. Given that Robinson, Mumm, Palu and Waugh are under injury clouds that seems to be a sensible move.
The bolter is Holmes for McKibben. Either McK is injured or this is some sort of reward for Holmes turning up to training for six months.
Pakalani might have the dropsies when he gets over the tryline but at least he gets there. Anesi needs a six lane highway devoid of any obstacles to get near it.

 

[qwerty51]

With a 5:2 bench, Holmes is more valuable than McKibbin since he can play 12 as well.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

With a 5:2 bench, Holmes is more valuable than McKibbin since he can play 12 as well.

Surely they'd move Beale into 10/12 if required and just shift Turner to fullback and Pakalani to the wing instead of risking Holmes at 12 in such an important game?

 

[qwerty51]

If Berrick or Hangers gets injured they'd move Holmes into 12 I would think. Doesn't disrupt much.

 

[Lee Grant]

I've seen Holmes play in several backline positions including wing - albeit not at the Super level.

This included when Oz U/21s where playing trial matches. The coach? Chris Hickey.

 

[Hawko]

I've seen Holmes play in several backline positions including wing - albeit not at the Super level.

This included when Oz U/21s where playing trial matches. The coach? Chris Hickey.

Maybe you're right but Hickey had the chance to play Holmes at 12 earlier in the season when Carter and Barnes were out but chose not to do so.

 

[inthestands]

I'd agree, fp, if the captains run contains some scrum practice. It's fine for a back or a backrower to be untrained until the captains run, but the prop role would some require the ability to prop in the scrum. If he can't prove he's fit to do this before the game then he probably shouldn't play.

Thanks DPK. Put a call into Tahs HQ because I'm sure they haven't considered this possibility or tested it away from the team run. Good work, supercoach.

 

[DPK]

Thanks DPK. Put a call into Tahs HQ because I'm sure they haven't considered this possibility or tested it away from the team run. Good work, supercoach.

Good on you, mate. Takes a real man chuck insults around on an internet forum.

 

[cyclopath]

But it did prove that sarcasm CAN be transmitted via the internet.
But seriously, keep the slagging off to the Tahs / Matt Burke / Any Usual Suspect rather than a fairly innocuous post, such as DPK's was.

 

[Lee Grant]

Maybe you're right but Hickey had the chance to play Holmes at 12 earlier in the season when Carter and Barnes were out but chose not to do so.

Fair point but maybe he has changed is mind. This was in the Manly Daily this morning:

Waratahs coach Chris Hickey said when selectors decided to go with a reserve bench of five forwards and two backs, Holmes’ versatility came to the fore.

“Josh’s ability to play nine, centre and probably even wing made him a valuable player to have on the bench,” Hickey said.

“We also know he has been in good form for Warringah playing at halfback in a team that has not been going so well. And that is a pretty good indicator.”

As the team battled a shocking run with injury, Holmes has held them together on the field.

“So he will primarily cover nine and if needed we believe he could cover those other positions as well,” Hickey said.

.

 

[Lee Grant]

Off to the game soon. Looks like it's going to piss down = Clan weather and conditions.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Go the Tahs.

 

[Utility Back]

Go tahs, lets get two ozzies in the finals!

 

[RuckinGoodStats]

Goal kickers #Waratahs Beale 75% (47 from 66) on 142 points#Highlanders: Brown 63% (12/19) #rugby #super15 #superrugby #WARvHIG
#Waratahs on average (#super15 rank 1=most/highest) per game: 9.3 pens (9); 4.9 pens at ruck (13); 11.2 missed tackles (14) #WARvHIG

#Highlanders on average (#super15 rank 1=most/highest) per game: 10.5 pens (3); 7.1 pens at ruck (2); 14.1 missed tackles (4) #WARvHIG

Ref stats: Pollock forced to award, per game average 20.8 pens (12.9 at ruck) 4.4 scrum resets & 3.4 scrum infringes #Waratahs #Highlanders #WARvHIG

Ref stats: Pollock 6 (1=most/highest) from 17 refs to award pens, 3rd for ruck pens, 10th for scrum infringe #Waratahs #Highlanders #WARvHIG

 

[ChargerWA]

Come on the Tahs. Looking forward to this one (just have to figure out a way to bleep out Kearnsey's steadily deteriorating commentary).

 

[Victorian Reds Fan]

Don't hate me, but I would not mind seeing the Tahs get beaten.

 

[GC]

WTF was that with the empty dressing room thing? Lame.

 

[GC]

Why would you only want one Aussie team in the finals?

 

[cyclopath]

Don't hate me, but I would not mind seeing the Tahs get beaten.

Yeah, for sure. It would be so much better for 3 Kiwi or Saffer teams to get in the finals than 2 from Oz.