Waratahs v Reds Rnd 1 2016

[Groucho]

Just sticking with the Karate Kid theme, in each movie they introduce a technique, difficult to master, impossible to defend against, that wins the day; the crane technique, the drum, you get the picture.

I wonder which technique will destroy the Tahs?; the give it to the big kid? the one out forward runners? the attacking our way backwards to our own tryline? the chip kick to ourselves? Nay, it needs to be something,
new, something difficult to master, how about the waving our arms and clucking like chickens.

I'm going with the nose squeeze. As far as I know, a completely new system.

 

[Hawko]

Paddy Ryan at #1 is interesting because that leaves Tilse and Robinson two looseheads on the bench unless he picks outside the main squad to go with Cameron Orr (who I can't remember playing in a trial?) and Matt Sandell.

Assume the bench would be

16. Latu
17. Robinson
18. Tilse
19. Lousi
20. Dempsey
21. Lucas
22. Hegarty
23. Robinson

The SMH used to have the inside track, but I don't know if that's still the case. It looks to me that Gibson doesn't know his best team in a couple of positions. If its true I do have some concerns:

1. I think I understand the front row. The Reds scrum is very good and I think Gibson is worried that neither Ta'avao nor Ryan are great scrummagers, but by having Ryan at LHP he will get a more explosive ball runner than Robinson for the first 60. If Ta'avao folds early he can move Ryan to THP and bring on Fat Cat. Then Tilse can do the last 10 at THP as he has worked both sides. Its an explanation, but still has a lot of holes.
2. I want Robinson to start with Carraro on the bench. We all know Carraro's strengths and weaknesses. We should be looking to test out Robinson before we go to the cauldron in Canberra next week. Robinson provides gas, a precious commodity that we haven't had since Mitchell in his prime.
3. If Cliffy is fit to go I would expect him to take Dempsey's bench spot. With Lousi to come into 5 and Mumm to go to 6, there is plenty of flexibility and Hooper hardly ever comes off.

I am still hugely worried about the scrum and the lineout and I expect Gill to be an absolute pest. Beale will have to kick well, both from the spot and in general play. No shockers please, we all remember the Lions tour. Everyone thinks this will be a walkover but I don't; we could be hanging on the edge of our seats in the 79th minute, especially if its wet. This is absolutely no gimme!

 

[qwerty51]

I wouldn't start R Robinson. Let's remember Folau 2013 vs Reds at Suncorp. His debut in a proper game. He was like a deer in headlights, yes he scored a try but Ioane completely owned him all night, he found himself out of position numerous times on defence and at one stage was backwards peddling to the tryline and allowed Ioane a clear passage to score. Folau had also done better in the trial matches than Robinson has this year. I don't want his first proper rugby match to be against quality Reds wingers too. Ease him into it and Carraro has never let anyone down.

Someone in the Tahs 2016 thread said Palu is training on his own still.

 

[fatprop]

If the SMH prediction for the Tahs is correct they have picked quite a strong defensive backline and a pretty big forward pack.

I can see Cararro doing a load of work in central defence with Guildford, Folau & Beale working kick return. (who do the Reds kick towards )

 

[redstragic]

If the SMH prediction for the Tahs is correct they have picked quite a strong defensive backline and a pretty big forward pack.

I can see Cararro doing a load of work in central defence with Guildford, Folau & Beale working kick return. (who do the Reds kick towards )

We just run it.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

[RugbyReg]

If the SMH prediction for the Tahs is correct they have picked quite a strong defensive backline and a pretty big forward pack.

I can see Cararro doing a load of work in central defence with Guildford, Folau & Beale working kick return. (who do the Reds kick towards )

which seems overkill for the Reds.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Can be sure that Liam Gill will be a pest, but it's his hits on Kurtley at 10 that will have a big bearing on the game.

 

[Jets]

I'd love to see Eto Nabuli get some space on the weekend. I think he has the ability to create some issues for the defence. Some of the tries he scored for the Windsor Wolves were outstanding.

 

[fatprop]

I'd love to see Eto Nabuli get some space on the weekend. I think he has the ability to create some issues for the defence. Some of the tries he scored for the Windsor Wolves were outstanding.

Reds seem to have gone again for units that can break one on one tackles but look unlikely to put an outside (or inside heaven forbid) into a better position and support (except for Hunt - and they have to pass to him)

 

[Scoey]

Spot on Fatprop. Everything we do is passive and has been that way for the last season or two. We have some exceptional individual talent but it seems that the very notion of a player breaking a tackle or the line is just not part of our 'plan' and when it happens they find themselves miles from support and get turned over. When we kick, we simply don't chase. On attack we stand hopelessly deep and wait for the defence to come to us. Completely passive.

It's fucking frustrating. It's the opposite of Rugby. The Reds play the opposite of Rugby. There I said it.

 

[Lindommer]

You lot from oop north are fishing in the wrong pond if you're after pity on this thread. Nothing other than a complete pantsing'll be good enough for me.

I hope to see a bit more of this

 

[Sully]

I've heard you guys from Sydney like a good pantsing.

Sent from my D5833 using Tapatalk

 

[Scoey]

You lot from oop north are fishing in the wrong pond if you're after pity on this thread. Nothing other than a complete pantsing'll be good enough for me.

I hope to see a bit more of this

View attachment 7459

Who is asking for pity?

But as misguided as your post is Lindo, far be it for me to refuse your request! You wanted more? Here's more!

Sorry mate, I wasn't sure whether it was sideways images of Tatafu or just general sideways Tahs fan pics so got one of each. Anyways, you're welcome!

 

[TOCC]

Tah's have won the past 3 encounters for a collective total of 88-13... anything short of 30point win will be a poor performance by the Tahs

 

[Braveheart81]

1. Paddy Ryan (62 caps)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (130 caps)
3. Angus Ta’avao (NSW Waratahs debut – 48 caps)
4. Dean Mumm (86 caps)
5. Will Skelton (39 caps)
6. David Dennis (VC – 92 caps)
7. Michael Hooper (C – 81 caps)
8. Jed Holloway (4 caps)
9. Nick Phipps (82 caps)
10. Kurtley Beale (115 caps)
11. Zac Guildford (NSW Waratahs debut – 79 caps)
12. David Horwitz (NSW Waratahs / Super Rugby debut)
13. Rob Horne (89 caps)
14. Matt Carraro (40 caps)
15. Israel Folau (45 caps)
Reserves
16. Tolu Latu (28 caps)
17. Benn Robinson (144 caps)
18. Jeremy Tilse (48 caps)
19. Sam Lousi (4 caps)
20. Jack Dempsey (3 caps)
21. Matt Lucas (12 caps)
22. Bryce Hegarty (potential NSW Waratahs debut – 33 caps)
23. Reece Robinson (potential NSW Waratahs / Super Rugby debut)

 

[Pass it to Dunning!]

Good to see Holloway getting a start.

Presumably Tilse is going in as the tighthead, which is a bit different. Does anyone know if he's played that position for the Tahs before?

 

[Marcelo]

1. Paddy Ryan (62 caps)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (130 caps)
3. Angus Ta’avao (NSW Waratahs debut – 48 caps)
4. Dean Mumm (86 caps)
5. Will Skelton (39 caps)
6. David Dennis (VC – 92 caps)
7. Michael Hooper (C – 81 caps)
8. Jed Holloway (4 caps)
9. Nick Phipps (82 caps)
10. Kurtley Beale (115 caps)
11. Zac Guildford (NSW Waratahs debut – 79 caps)
12. David Horwitz (NSW Waratahs / Super Rugby debut)
13. Rob Horne (89 caps)
14. Matt Carraro (40 caps)
15. Israel Folau (45 caps)
Reserves
16. Tolu Latu (28 caps)
17. Benn Robinson (144 caps)
18. Jeremy Tilse (48 caps)
19. Sam Lousi (4 caps)
20. Jack Dempsey (3 caps)
21. Matt Lucas (12 caps)
22. Bryce Hegarty (potential NSW Waratahs debut – 33 caps)
23. Reece Robinson (potential NSW Waratahs / Super Rugby debut)

I prefer Reece Robinson over Carraro

 

[Scoey]

I haven't had any interest in the Tahs up until now but I have to say, that is a seriously weaker team than I was expecting. It's a shadow of it's former self and if I were just comparing the team sheets (likely team sheet for the Reds) then I would probably come to the conclusion that this will be a tight game. However when I multiply our team sheet by the Richard Graham coefficient, the Reds slide out to $5 rank outsiders again.

Carn you Reds!!!

 

[Intruder]

I haven't had any interest in the Tahs up until now but I have to say, that is a seriously weaker team than I was expecting. It's a shadow of it's former self and if I were just comparing the team sheets (likely team sheet for the Reds) then I would probably come to the conclusion that this will be a tight game. However when I multiply our team sheet by the Richard Graham coefficient, the Reds slide out to $5 rank outsiders again.

Carn you Reds!!!

The Reds are a serious chance at winning this game. Especially with the forecast predicting rain on Saturday evening.

Ryan at LHP, Taavao at THP both players with scrummaging weaknesses. A lot on the shoulder of TPN who is regarded as Australia's best scrummaging hooker.

Tilse as reserve THP a real weakness, Lousi and Skelton both really slow jumpers with the Reds lineout to cause serious havoc.

Beale the only back in the Waratah backline with a noted kicking game, it will mean he will defend at 15. Horwitz, Horne, Carraro to defend in the front line with Beale to play on the blind wing off set piece.

The Reds for an upset win!

 

[Pfitzy]

Good to see Holloway getting a start.

Presumably Tilse is going in as the tighthead, which is a bit different. Does anyone know if he's played that position for the Tahs before?

Part of me says "why the fuck do we have three loosheads in the side, if indeed that is what Paddy is thought of these days"

Part of me says "Tilse couldn't be any worse than Paddy at THP in terms of consistency, so whatevs"