Waratahs 2018

[cyclopath]

When hammies go bad. Hopefully Hooper's really is minor.

 

[Gnostic]

I had hoped that with Mick Byrne in the Wallabies set up Foley's kicking from hand would have improved in terms of reliability. I do not expect great increases in distance, but last weekend his technique and set up for the two missed penalties to touch were atrocious. With the second kick his stance and "addressing" of the ball were wrong and I knew before he kicked it would not find touch.

With Taquele and Kellaway leaving the Tahs simply must have player who can kick reliably (and preferably with some distance) in the back three.

 

[wamberal]

I had hoped that with Mick Byrne in the Wallabies set up Foley's kicking from hand would have improved in terms of reliability. I do not expect great increases in distance, but last weekend his technique and set up for the two missed penalties to touch were atrocious. With the second kick his stance and "addressing" of the ball were wrong and I knew before he kicked it would not find touch.

With Taquele and Kellaway leaving the Tahs simply must have player who can kick reliably (and preferably with some distance) in the back three.

Lots of them running around in club rugby. Maybe there is something wrong with Foley's legs.

 

[Up the Guts]

Lots of them running around in club rugby. Maybe there is something wrong with Foley's legs.

Are there any wingers/fullbacks that have caught your eye in Shute Shield that could get a Waratahs contract? Latunipulu for Randwick is pretty explosive from what I’ve seen but makes a few mistakes.

 

[eastman]

I'm not sure what was wrong with Harry Jones- big body with speed and a kicking game. I think his supposed defensive frailities were a bit of a myth- he'd be no worse than Taqele or Reece Robinson ever were.

 

[eastman]

I think Pama Fou has a lot of upside and could be picked up relatively cheaply- has more potential than Foketi and potentially Simone.

 

[fatprop]

I think Pama Fou has a lot of upside and could be picked up relatively cheaply- has more potential than Foketi and potentially Simone.

Foketi has looked quite good to me and I don't know how Simone is progressing but I expect he will be elsewhere soon, he has dropped down the pecking order

 

[Up the Guts]

Foketi has looked quite good to me and I don't know how Simone is progressing but I expect he will be elsewhere soon, he has dropped down the pecking order

I guess there's always the option next season to shift Rona to the wing with Foketi at 13 but I'd like to find a big bustling winger.

 

[eastman]

I guess there's always the option next season to shift Rona to the wing with Foketi at 13 but I'd like to find a big bustling winger.

Why would you do that? Rona is just starting to look comfortable and is playing in the 13 jersey.

 

[Braveheart81]

I'm not sure what was wrong with Harry Jones- big body with speed and a kicking game. I think his supposed defensive frailities were a bit of a myth- he'd be no worse than Taqele or Reece Robinson ever were.

I think Pama Fou has a lot of upside and could be picked up relatively cheaply- has more potential than Foketi and potentially Simone.

Foketi is 23 and Fou is 27. I think Foketi has been pretty solid and has improved greatly in the last year.

Fou looked pretty good for Eastwood when I watched them last weekend but I'm not convinced he's going to be a star in XVs.

Robinson didn't work out. I don't think suggesting Harry Jones' defence is no worse than his really helps. Taqele clearly offers something much better on attack that is hard to match. He will be a struggle to replace next year.

There's certainly going to be a recruitment spot open for outside backs. Ideally we need to find that big powerful winger who can bust tackles to replace Taqele. Clark and Newsome will work pretty well covering the other side.

 

[Up the Guts]

Why would you do that? Rona is just starting to look comfortable and is playing in the 13 jersey.

I wouldn't personally but if the other wingers aren't performing then it may be the best outcome. Tahs should look at picking up Naivalu in my opinion.

 

[eastman]

Fou looked pretty good for Eastwood when I watched them last weekend but I'm not convinced he's going to be a star in XVs.

Are we writing off 27 year olds as too old? Especially with such limited time in XVs and potential to improve. (PS Foketi has never been a star in the Shute Shield)

 

[eastman]

I wouldn't personally but if the other wingers aren't performing then it may be the best outcome. Tahs should look at picking up Naivalu in my opinion.

Agreed - would be a great pick up.

 

[Braveheart81]

Are we writing off 27 year olds as too old? Especially with such limited time in XVs and potential to improve. (PS Foketi has never been a star in the Shute Shield)

No, we're not writing off 27 year olds. You want to replace a 23 year old with a 27 year old though because you think the 27 year old has more potential. I disagree. In a choice purely between those two it would be taking a punt on a substantially older player who has gone through two knee reconstructions.

Apart from a couple of games this year, when was the last time Foketi played Shute Shield consistently? 2014?

 

[Tomikin]

Foketi is 23 and Fou is 27. I think Foketi has been pretty solid and has improved greatly in the last year.

Fou looked pretty good for Eastwood when I watched them last weekend but I'm not convinced he's going to be a star in XVs.

Robinson didn't work out. I don't think suggesting Harry Jones' defence is no worse than his really helps. Taqele clearly offers something much better on attack that is hard to match. He will be a struggle to replace next year.

There's certainly going to be a recruitment spot open for outside backs. Ideally we need to find that big powerful winger who can bust tackles to replace Taqele. Clark and Newsome will work pretty well covering the other side.

Joe Tomane but I want him at the Brumbies

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[upthereds#!]

If the Tahs lose Naiyaravoro and Kellaway who is there to take their place? Clarke is already starting, so Newsome could step up...but then who is on the bench?..who is there if someone gets injured as specialty outside back cover?..what happens if Folau actually does go to the Reds?

9. Phipps 10. Foley 11. Clarke 12. Beale 13. Rona 14. Newsome 15. Hegarty

21. Gordon 22. Mason 23. Foketi

Starts to look very average very quick and that's without someone being hurt. Seems to me the Tahs need to bring in some quality talent to replace outgoing talent, not internally promote.

 

[Silverado]

If the Tahs lose Naiyaravoro and Kellaway who is there to take their place? Clarke is already starting, so Newsome could step up.but then who is on the bench?..who is there if someone gets injured as specialty outside back cover?..what happens if Folau actually does go to the Reds?

9. Phipps 10. Foley 11. Clarke 12. Beale 13. Rona 14. Newsome 15. Hegarty

21. Gordon 22. Mason 23. Foketi

Starts to look very average very quick and that's without someone being hurt. Seems to me the Tahs need to bring in some quality talent to replace outgoing talent, not internally promote.

That's pretty much how it works. When you lose players you sign new ones


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[barbarian]

Remember there will be a bit of an exodus from the Rebels next season as they lose their salary cap exemption.

I'd hope we can pick up a few of their cast-offs. But then again I said that about the Force........

 

[I like to watch]

I'm not sure what was wrong with Harry Jones- big body with speed and a kicking game. I think his supposed defensive frailities were a bit of a myth- he'd be no worse than Taqele or Reece Robinson ever were.

I reckon they signed him before he was ready, then put a line through him.
He was poor in SS whilst he was contracted, and has been strong since they cut him.
His time in their program undoubtedly improved his defence.

 

[upthereds#!]

That's pretty much how it works. When you lose players you sign new ones


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Yes very good. Point being made was where are those players being signed coming from. Example - Naivalu might be looking for more game time so he would be bringing in existing talent at a level similar to who he is replacing (Naiyaravoro), whereas picking an AUS u20 wing or a shute shield player is internal and would not be of a similar level to whom their replacing - thus the overall standing of the outside backs decreases.