Waratahs v Highlanders trial - Thursday 16 February 2017

[Braveheart81]

Highlanders have named a very strong starting side with five All Blacks in the backline.

 

[Brumby Jack]

I wonder if Aaron Smith will last more than 10 minutes

 

[Braveheart81]

Waratahs starting XV

1. Robertson
2. Latu
3. Kepu
4. Mumm
5. Skelton
6. Dempsey
7. Hooper (c)
8. Wells
9. Gordon
10. Foley
11. Jones
12. Simone
13. Folau
14. Robinson
15. Kellaway

 

[fatprop]

That is not a bad side at all

 

[What_the...]

OMG, what a baptism of fire for Jones, Gordon & Simone.

I hope they gel and play out of their skins.

 

[Braveheart81]

Interesting that Phipps isn't starting. I wonder whether it is a case of Lucas and Gordon getting more time to see who gets the 21 jersey in round 1.

That said, Phipps hasn't played yet this year so you'd want him to play some minutes.

Horne is out but should be available for round 1.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Looks a bit of a mismatch in the backs, but the Tahs should get dominance up front, however the second row looks a bit dicey and it is almost a mini backrow. But we all know Hooper plays like two and Dempsey is definitely a Wallaby in waiting.

Go Tahs.

 

[fatprop]

OMG, what a baptism of fire for Jones, Gordon & Simone.

I hope they gel and play out of their skins.

A good way to tell if they are good enough, stick them under proper pressure

Looks a bit of a mismatch in the backs, but the Tahs should get dominance up front, however the second row looks a bit dicey and it is almost a mini backrow. But we all know Hooper plays like two and Dempsey is definitely a Wallaby in waiting.

Go Tahs.

The landers pack is always extremely hard working, mobile and skillful

It should be a good game

Are there any details on the game's format(it is another day in the 30s tomorrow) , reserves (that may answer the Phipps, Horwitz, piggies questions etc )

 

[Twoilms]

That could almost be an All-blacks backline.

 

[Scoey]

Damn strong Highlanders team but the Tahs should be up for it. Any idea if this is being streamed anywhere? Could get used to midweek Super Rugby after the Reds match last night.

Also, what's the status on Holloway. Is ha back from injury yet and just not selected or still in rehab?

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Damn strong Highlanders team but the Tahs should be up for it. Any idea if this is being streamed anywhere? Could get used to midweek Super Rugby after the Reds match last night.

Also, what's the status on Holloway. Is ha back from injury yet and just not selected or still in rehab?

That would have to be very close to their best XV. Should be a belter of a trial.

 

[Braveheart81]

Damn strong Highlanders team but the Tahs should be up for it. Any idea if this is being streamed anywhere? Could get used to midweek Super Rugby after the Reds match last night.

Also, what's the status on Holloway. Is ha back from injury yet and just not selected or still in rehab?

Live stream will be available here:

http://www.waratahs.com.au/Waratahs/MatchDay/LiveStream.aspx

Kick-off is 6:30pm Sydney time.

Holloway has a hamstring injury. Should be right for round one but unavailable right now.

 

[Scoey]

Thanks!

 

[Braveheart81]

Here are the reserves.

Waratahs:

Hugh Roach, Paddy Ryan, David Lolohea, Sam Needs, David McDuling, Nick Phipps, Matt Lucas, David Horwitz, Senio Toleafoa, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Ned Hanigan, Brad Wilkin, Maclean Jones, Con Foley, Bryce Hegarty, Andrew Deegan/Mack Mason​

Highlanders: Reserves: Forwards: Aki Seiuli, Craig Millar, Siosuia Halanukonuka, Guy Millar, Adrian Smith, Josh Dickson, Alex Ainley, Elliot Dixon, Gareth Evans, Dillon Hunt​

Backs: Kayne Hammington, Josh Renton, Fletcher Smith, Sio Tomkinson, Teihorangi Walden, Matt Faddes, Pat Osborne, Jason Emery​

 

[21mmstuds]

Are there any details on the game's format(it is another day in the 30s tomorrow) , reserves (that may answer the Phipps, Horwitz, piggies questions etc )[/quote]


I've heard, about fourthhand, that it's going to be 4x20mins.

 

[Lindommer]

Also, what's the status on Holloway. Is he back from injury yet and just not selected or still in rehab?

Back from rehab after his shoulder op, but has since suffered a hamstring injury. Read here: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...wing-jed-holloway-injury-20170214-guckuy.html

 

[amirite]

I'm surprised the Highlanders see Squire as a 6 and Whitelock as an 8. I would've thought the other way around.

Also, that's a bloody good backline. Li is a great pick-up.

Not sure who Thompson is, anyone know more?

 

[Braveheart81]

Not sure who Thompson is, anyone know more?

He joined the Highlanders last year and ended up playing a fair few games after Richard Buckman got injured.

He's a strong ball runner. Solid player.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[Blackadder]

What happened to Damien Fitzpatrick? Is he injured or just not picked?

 

[fatprop]

Some interesting titbits in the SMH

On our 9s

NSW Waratahs halfback Jake Gordon has earned a trial match starting spot against the Highlanders and Nathan Grey says the rookie is putting pressure on Wallabies representative Nick Phipps.

The most eye-raising selection is that of Gordon, who had a stellar NRC campaign last season.

That is not to say Phipps, who featured in four of five Tests on the Wallabies spring tour – he did not get on the field against Ireland in Dublin – will not walk straight back into the starting spot next Saturday in round one.

However, Grey said there was a genuine selection headache brewing when it came to the halfback spot.

Jake Gordon will start at halfback for the NSW Waratahs on Thursday in their trial against the Highlanders.
Jake Gordon will start at halfback for the NSW Waratahs on Thursday in their trial against the Highlanders. Photo: Les Smith
"There's three [number] nines in the program at the moment that are all training and performing in a way that is making the decisions difficult for [head coach] Daryl [Gibson]," Grey said. "Jake and Matty Lucas will be getting time and they're pushing really hard."

Asked whether Phipps was still the frontrunner to play halfback against the Western Force in just over a week, Grey said: "We're very confident in what Nick can do. Daryl's really clear and honest with the guys around that nine spot is up for grabs. It's up to the other guys to probably really step up and take it off him."

All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith, regarded by many as the best in the world, will also be there in what will be a "really good contest" for Gordon.

"It's really good to test yourself against a quality outfit," Grey said. "We've got no doubt he [Gordon] can do that and it'll be a really good test for him and a few other guys around just trying to execute what we can against quality opposition in a tough arena."

On Simone

Foley slots back into the chief playmaker role and will have a new man in Simone outside him, a player Grey and Foley have big wraps on.

"He's been impressive and does a lot of the fundamental things well, which is really pleasing to see," Grey said. "He's played well in the trials, so he's performing at a high level in the company that he is in and it'll be another step up this week against the Highlanders."

Foley said: "Irae has set the place on fire. He's an extreme talent and he's a big guy. He doesn't shy away from the contact. He's been really impressive in trying to fill that void of Kurtley [Beale] gone."

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...-phipps-says-nathan-grey-20170215-gudg0s.html