Waratahs v Reds Match Thread

[vidiot]

Three weeks ago people were talking about how players who went on the EOYT would benefit was the exposure to Wallaby training let alone those who actually played test match Rugby. The point is even last year there was argument that some of the selections did not have a solid basis in merit.

Baxter was injured (neck) about near the middle of the June tests from memory whilst playing Shute Shield so wasn't in contention for the EOYT
Mowen was available
Douglas was available
Kepu was injured in the S14 but was available for the EOYT and his Shield form was better than Alexander and Robinson.
Denis was available

Why Gnostic, sometimes I wonder if you bother to read my posts to the end.

And Bruce when I read Gnostics post above and tried to figure out who he meant Carter was the first guy I thought of - not Dennis or Mowen. Easier for those of us without your acumen and proximity to see this year than last, when Fainga'a A did a lot of things right.

 

[waratahjesus]

Haha, let's not get it twisted. Carter was made to look like a clown more times than a hero in sky blue last year. Geez, Sometimes I wonder about you Bruce

can you name these occasions?
they never happened did they?

 

[Bruce Ross]

Carter was made to look like a clown more times than a hero

Ah yes, the butt of everyone's ridicule. The Aunt Sally of Australian rugby. Chariots of Carter - how we all laughed at what a goose he was. Everyone else thinks he's a buffoon, so they must be right. The power of group think:

All the people had gathered in the main square, pushing and shoving to get a better look. An applause welcomed the regal procession. Everyone wanted to know how stupid or incompetent his or her neighbor was but, as the Emperor passed, a strange murmur rose from the crowd.

Everyone said, loud enough for the others to hear: "Look at the Emperor's new clothes. They're beautiful!"

"What a marvellous train!"

"And the colors! The colors of that beautiful fabric! I have never seen anything like it in my life!" They all tried to conceal their disappointment at not being able to see the clothes, and since nobody was willing to admit his own stupidity and incompetence, they all behaved as the two scoundrels had predicted.

A child, however, who had no important job and could only see things as his eyes showed them to him, went up to the carriage.

"The Emperor is naked," he said.

 

[Hawko]

There is an airport in Nelson, I have flown in and out of there, they have connecting flights out of all the majors. They were only dash 8's though, so not big planes, not sure if that could be changed for the whole team to fly.

Sorry, should have said international airport. Flights in puddle jumpers are nearly as bad as ferries and worse than coaches because you are so cramped for room.

 

[ChargerWA]

To be honest, I think alot of the criticism of TC was less to do with his playing and more to do with his love of hand bagging it up each week, quite often unnecessarily so.

 

[qwerty51]

Just wanted to point out that the fact that the Tahs players that were ignored by Supercoach Deans last year not only for the EOYT but also the June tests completely and emphatically outplayed those he selected instead. I hope he is watching.

The only real point of concern for me as things stand is the very poor general kicking options the Tahs are taking at times. Grubber kicks from inside the 22, poor box kicking from Burgess, Turner kicking everything instead of running as we all know he can. They have to be eliminated, they have a brick wall defence and compete very strongly at the ruck but why make work for yourselves.

This is what angers me so much. I was pissed when Fainga'a, Edmonds, Daley, Ma'afu, Simmons, got selected when we easily had the capable players but we were made to look like a laughing stock.

 

[Bruce Ross]

To be honest, I think alot of the criticism of TC was less to do with his playing and more to do with his love of hand bagging it up each week, quite often unnecessarily so.

I agree with you, Charger, but that sort of criticism is subsumed into the patent absurdity that he is a hopeless footballer. And that's been the theme of the ridicule, not "his love of hand bagging it up each week".

 

[waratahjesus]

To be honest, I think alot of the criticism of TC was less to do with his playing and more to do with his love of hand bagging it up each week, quite often unnecessarily so.

i find it funny that that is a criticism when the fact of the matter is, if digby, chambers or a.finger where capable of it, qld may have got over the advantage line the last two weeks and been able to put on at least one ruck of quick ball and build some go forward that might have allowed cooper space.

but hey, hanging wide waiting for a long pass that may never come and the hope of non existant space so you look good must make you a much better footballer than someone who toils in the field all day putting the team first.

 

[Scotty]

Just to give the ants' nest a prod with a stick, on what basis was Anthony Fainga'a ever considered a better 12 than Tom Carter?

Neither are Test standard, so we don't need to have that discussion.

PS I would still like to see Horne at 12 at some stage. Failing that a Barnes/Horne center combo would do me for the wallabies.

 

[HodgoBerro]

He didn't - he played the final and was part of the wider training squad for the Wallabies before tour squad was announced.

Thanks for clearing that up. I recall a wicks player getting injured (hamstring) in that game

 

[BRIX]

Neither are Test standard, so we don't need to have that discussion.

Thank you Scotty

Ahhh, The Brothers Grimm Bruce - nice passage

 

[fatprop]

Too many tahs supporters are getting far too excited

This is round two guys, not the last round.

The Tahs played well, but they will have to improve to get near doing well and now we see how the depth is in the squad.

We have Waugh, Barnes & Nau potentially wounded or playing wounded for a Crusaders match.

On the positive note, Waugh said that McCutcheon is back next week after playing in the A game.

 

[vidiot]

i find it funny that that is a criticism when the fact of the matter is, if digby, chambers or a.finger where capable of it, qld may have got over the advantage line the last two weeks and been able to put on at least one ruck of quick ball and build some go forward that might have allowed cooper space.

but hey, hanging wide waiting for a long pass that may never come and the hope of non existant space so you look good must make you a much better footballer than someone who toils in the field all day putting the team first.

And there we go. Welcome back cyclops.

 

[waratahjesus]

And there we go. Welcome back cyclops.

sorry, want to make a point or just namecall there champ?

 

[vidiot]

sorry, want to make a point or just namecall there champ?

in bold

 

[Sully]

Finger is getting sweated on big time. Chambers is definately waiting for something. I have no idea what. Digby is a least trying to get involved.

What did TC do last night that was excaptional. Beside pass the ball which I had hardly seen him do before. Certainly better than Fiangaa but nothing to get in the least bit excited about.

 

[Bruce Ross]

Ahhh, The Brothers Grimm Bruce - nice passage

Try Hans Christian Anderson

 

[waratahjesus]

carter didnt have to do much last night cos he plays with a bunch of guys that have been formed into a team and are there for each other. but in previous occasions he has beent he one to help the forwards out in times of needs and do the hard yards, the qld backs seem to wait around ten metres from play relying on quade and genia to be quick while the rest of the blokes in the same shirts as them get hammered backwards.

i know iaone made metres last night, but i didnt see that many of them around the ruck, i was at the game and am happy to change my comment and admit i was wrong on him, but the backline looks like it has a massive gap in it from where i was sitting.

 

[DPK]

A factor was Fainga'a being able to play at 12 the whole year, where as TC played 12 and 13.

 

[vidiot]

Fair enough WJ, you pretty much nailed the others, but Ioane was the only red back to make an impression and thanks to the structure and quality of the Tahs defence when he did get over the advantage line - and he did several times - it was while being smashed. One collision with Barnes caused his wobbles.

There was enough to criticise in the Reds performance without being one-eyed about it. Am I sensitive still - hell yes!