Waratahs v Samoa Trial - Tamworth - 10th Feb

[SuperGrover]

Not happy with this. It may be the professional era and no doubt the Tahs have improved a few banana-benders who come south, but if the jersey means anything we shouldn't be doing this. Give the captaincy to a New South Welshman ffs.

Anyone willing to put their body on the line for the sky blue jersey like Berrick does is NSW enough for me

 

[spooony]

Sorry newter, can't agree with that. In the age of professional rugby I think u have to give it to the best leader no matter where they're from. If pretorius was the best option I'd be happy for him to captain. Plus it's a trial, the rock is captain for the regular season.

Don't you mean Barnes and not Pretorius?

 

[Lee Grant]

Whatever happened to Hugh Perrett? He was a tough little man playing 8 at the end of last season. Tons of energy to make up for his small size.

Wonderful club player and the fastest forward in Sydney. A true notter - not a 6, not a 7, not an 8 - but he has played all 3 backrow positions in the Shute Shield. Skilful, great leader but, similarly to the estimable Tim Davidson: not really a starting Super player.

Are many of those players new recruits or are from outside the 35 man squad, because I don't really recognize many of their names.

The players not in the Tahs 35:

10/12/15 - Toby Browne - Randwick - good step and swerve, good goal kicker, biggish, 21/22 y.o.
7 - Lala Lam - Randwick; think TPN playing openside; 22/23.
Wing/15/13 - Jesse Leota - Parramatta, nice swerve, ex-Force stable.
4/5 - Liam Winton - Penrith captain - journeyman 2nd rower
7 - Jono Jenkins - Sydney Uni - ex-Oz 7s; ex-Force; hard player; twin brother of Oz 7s captain Ed.
11/14 - Peter Betham - Sydney Uni - ex-Brumbies; ex-Rebels; ex-Tahs; always on the cusp.
4/5/6 - Richard Stanford - Eastern Suburbs - ex-Brumbies, ex-Force; fringe Super player
12/10 - Tom Hill - Gordon - had to look him up; can't remember him.
12/13 - Michael Hodge - Sydney Uni 12 - unfashionable; does everything well; solid; keeps place in Uni Ones, which is not too shabby.
.

 

[Bruce Ross]

12/13 - Michael Hodge - Sydney Uni 12 - unfashionable; does everything well; solid; keeps place in Uni Ones, which is not too shabby.

Hodgey has built himself up considerably during the off season. It's good to see that he has abandoned Sevens to focus on real rugby.

 

[barbarian]

Whatever happened to Hugh Perrett? He was a tough little man playing 8 at the end of last season. Tons of energy to make up for his small size.

Think he's down with the Rebels now.

 

[Forcefield]

The players not in the Tahs 35:

10/12/15 - Toby Browne - Randwick - good step and swerve, good goal kicker, biggish, 21/22 y.o.
7 - Lala Lam - Randwick; think TPN playing openside; 22/23.
Wing/15/13 - Jesse Leota - Parramatta, nice swerve, ex-Force stable.
4/5 - Liam Winton - Penrith captain - journeyman 2nd rower
7 - Jono Jenkins - Sydney Uni - ex-Oz 7s; ex-Force; hard player; twin brother of Oz 7s captain Ed.
11/14 - Peter Betham - Sydney Uni - ex-Brumbies; ex-Rebels; ex-Tahs; always on the cusp.
4/5/6 - Richard Stanford - Eastern Suburbs - ex-Brumbies, ex-Force; fringe Super player
12/10 - Tom Hill - Gordon - had to look him up; can't remember him.
12/13 - Michael Hodge - Sydney Uni 12 - unfashionable; does everything well; solid; keeps place in Uni Ones, which is not too shabby.
.

Don't want to doubt the oracle but are you sure about Jesse Leota, LG? Never heard of the guy.

Stanford also played a few games for the Rebels Rising. He looked pretty decent for them in a trial against Western Force 'A' last season. After the Tahs trial he's just a rep for the Reds away from having a mini-sweep.

 

[spooony]

I would not worry who plays but who makes it to the other side without getting injured.

 

[Swat]

Don't you mean Barnes and not Pretorius?

no

 

[spooony]

no

Barnes was selected as captain or am I not seeing right?

 

[Swat]

Barnes was selected as captain or am I not seeing right?

it was a hypothetical

 

[spooony]

it was a hypothetical

Oh ok

 

[Lee Grant]

Don't want to doubt the oracle but are you sure about Jesse Leota, LG? Never heard of the guy.

He's been a regular starting 1st grader for Parramatta for the last couple of years, mainly on the wing. Used to play for Eastwood.

Saw him play at Rat Park last season; good player.

 

[Forcefield]

Sorry. Should have clarified that. I mean are you sure he was with the Force?

 

[Lee Grant]

PS

Regarding the query about why two Waratahs teams were picked: the trial will last 2 hours because each of the Tahs teams will play 2 x 30 minute quarters. [Usually trials comprise 4 quarters of 20 minutes each.]

60 minutes for each player is enough.

Sorry. Should have clarified that. I mean are you sure he was with the Force?

Not contracted, but I added the word "stable"- in other words he was in what we would now call their Wider Training Group. Now he is in the Tahs stable.

The aim of the WTG guys in any Oz trial this year will be to prove they are of at least the same standard of the EPS players in the squad [the extra 5 players paid for by the ARU], or better still: superior to them. This will enhance their chances to be chosen somewhere at a higher level for 2013.

 

[qwerty51]

McCutcheon is not really an 8 in Super rugby, he doesn't have the size or the impact. I really wanted to see him head to head against Alcock, I'm not convinced either is a top class fetcher yet, but if Dennis goes to 8 then Metuisela or Peterson have to be pulled up to the top team.

1. Late edit. Just noticed Kepu is playing LHP. Not sure what to make of this.

A year ago I would've agreed about McCutcheon but in the past 6 months I thought he's really lifted his game and I'm expecting big things from him this year. In the Shute Shield final where he played 8 he was just about the best on the park and again in the Barbarians game against Canada playing 8 again I think.

Surely Kepu is only LH until Fat Cat is back. Will be interesting to see who gets the bench spot after those 2, I'm hoping Ulugia has a big game.

 

[qwerty51]

Whatever happened to Hugh Perrett? He was a tough little man playing 8 at the end of last season. Tons of energy to make up for his small size.

Maybe tough but I thought he was out of his depth when he got on the field. I remember a period against the Lions when he came on and didn't actually do anything for a good 10 mins, had trouble reading the game and getting his hands on the ball and getting involved.

 

[rugbyvet]

I could be looking through Blue and White glasses but surely some of the non contracted Eastwood players that dominated the Shute Shield last year could make that NSW 2nd team. Perret has already been mentioned but what about Pikula, Bennets or Batger?
Also think your alittle harsh on Perret- sure he didnt set the world on fire but he was thrown into the deep end without the benefit of a long pre-season to know the team structures/systems. Believe he was also working full time also.

 

[qwerty51]

Bennetts is off with the Force, Batger went with the Tah to SA last year but didn't get a game

 

[suckerforred]

Thanks lee, I can always rely on you for an answer. Also, what's the meaning of life?

42

 

[Lee Grant]

I could be looking through Blue and White glasses but surely some of the non contracted Eastwood players that dominated the Shute Shield last year could make that NSW 2nd team. Perret has already been mentioned but what about Pikula, Bennets or Batger?

Pikula has played for Tonga and thereby must be treated as a foreign player.

Bennetts is off with the Force, Batger went with the Tah to SA last year but didn't get a game

Actually Batger got on the park v. the Sharks. He played well for Eastwood in 2011 (and 2010) and I thought he was a chance for at least an EPS gig.

Bennetts is with the Rebels WTG and gave up a spot in the National Academy to do so. If he stays healthy he is at least EPS material.