Waratahs 2015

[Train Without a Station]

Whilst he isn't in the Palu mould, Hoiles is a former test No 8. He's done something right there over the course of his career. Fits in well at 6 for the Waratahs though as well as being able to slot in at 8.

 

[fatprop]

The Tahs didn't need another Skelton, they do need a young high work rate tight lock

We have Chapman who may be good for another season, but all we have then is Pots & Dennis to fill minutes with Skelton

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[en_force_er]

The Tahs didn't need another Skelton, they do need a young high work rate tight lock

We have Chapman who may be good for another season, but all we have then is Pots & Dennis to fill minutes with Skelton

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I forgot about Chapman, he's a really solid player and could easily be a starter in a decent Super Rugby side. Your scrum will probably suffer though.

 

[Pfitzy]

Anyone popping their head up in SS ranks?

Maybe Holloway can step into the second row. He's a fairly tough bloke and a few cm at lineout time won't matter.

 

[en_force_er]

Anyone popping their head up in SS ranks?

Maybe Holloway can step into the second row. He's a fairly tough bloke and a few cm at lineout time won't matter.

Height is overrated in lineouts anyway, you only need one tall jumper. It's beneficial to be tall in the middle, but at the front it's all about physicality and at the back it's all about getting the timing right.

 

[p.Tah]

Lets hope the Tahs maximise this opportunity in 2015 by producing an excellent product that will allow us to connect on game day and enhance the live experience.

A free high-density Wi-Fi network and 1200 internet protocol TVs will be installed in the 26-year-old Moore Park ground, under a deal expected to be announced on Monday.
Fans will be able to order food on their smart phones, watch high-definition replays of on-field action and receive special offers, as well as tap into social media networks.
Similar technology, rolled out at the SCG’s new MA Noble, Don Bradman and Dally Messenger stand, has already proved a hit and coincided with a 23 per cent increase in attendances at Swans games this year.......
..... US studies show that in-stadium Wi-Fi is the most important way for sporting franchises to connect with the next generation of fans.

Read here

If they do it in conjunction with FoxSports (utilising video and audio), they could increase the ratings via phone connection (perhaps) to include the extra 25k+ in the stadium.

 

[fatprop]

Anyone popping their head up in SS ranks?

Maybe Holloway can step into the second row. He's a fairly tough bloke and a few cm at lineout time won't matter.

From what I have seen Hollaway is another lock/backrower and not the rock lifter/grunter we need

 

[Intruder]

The only locks IMO who have been consistent performers in the SS are Clyne and Boidin. Interesting to see Treloar back from French rugby could he be added into the Waratahs squad ?

 

[Wilson]

The only locks IMO who have been consistent performers in the SS are Clyne and Boidin. Interesting to see Treloar back from French rugby could he be added into the Waratahs squad ?

I think he's retiring after the NRC. Seem to remember he was going to become a cop afterwards.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

Note: Cam Skelton is only in the Chiefs wider training squad which is basically "chuck him on for ITM Cup in Waikato and see if he swims or sinks". No worries there.

From the U20 WC he looked like a big kid who never had to try too hard.

My wife was speaking with someone who used to teach the Skelton kids. She said that Cam was the natural talent, but Will was the grafter, the one who put the effort into getting better. This seems to match your view on his play in the U20 cup

 

[It is what it is]

Height is overrated in lineouts anyway, you only need one tall jumper. It's beneficial to be tall in the middle, but at the front it's all about physicality and at the back it's all about getting the timing right.

Don't forget the lifting benefits that come from height. Talls get great extension when lifting others.

 

[TOCC]

Don't forget the lifting benefits that come from height. Talls get great extension when lifting others.

Not just the ability to lift but a players wingspan as well, taller players proportionately have greater wingspans, greater wingspan gives a hooker a greater target to hit. Not only that, it increases the players ability to disrupt the opposition as well.

 

[Pete King]

Chapman is a good replacement for douglas in the second row as it bolsters the lineout without losing to much around the field and at scrum time.

 

[Train Without a Station]

Chapman is probably what the tahs really need instead of Douglas anyway in fact.

 

[TOCC]

I tend to see Chapman as more of a flanker, he doesn't have the bulk needed for lock in my opinion, i think he is a great bench player as he can provide cover for both flanker and lock if needed..

 

[Tip]

Re: Beale

Kurtley has been offered an ARU contract which previously indicated that it wasn't up to scratch. If the Reds can afford to pay Hunt 650k a year from their own Salary cap, surely the Waratahs can throw in the extra 100k or two to make the offer more "suitable" to Kurtley.

If the Kurtley is lost to League, then the blame lies solely with the Tahs - not the ARU.

 

[qwerty51]

You guys would just keep complaining that the Tahs are rorting the salary cap again

 

[Braveheart81]

I'm confident Beale will re-sign for next year.

Hopefully he even signs for more than one year.

The offer on the table as part of the top 30 ARU group is clearly going to be pretty good so I don't think he'll turn it down due to lack of money. Everything I've heard suggests that he greatly values how things are as part of the team and 'being with the boys' and loves the team atmosphere when things are going well. It certainly couldn't be better in that regard right now.

 

[Tip]

You guys would just keep complaining that the Tahs are rorting the salary cap again

We've given up complaining. That - much like Marto's commentating - is just part of the furniture of aus rugby and ain't worth whinging about because nothings going to change. A necessary evil if you will

 

[boyo]

I'm confident Beale will re-sign for next year.

Hopefully he even signs for more than one year.

The offer on the table as part of the top 30 ARU group is clearly going to be pretty good so I don't think he'll turn it down due to lack of money. Everything I've heard suggests that he greatly values how things are as part of the team and 'being with the boys' and loves the team atmosphere when things are going well. It certainly couldn't be better in that regard right now.

IIRC he hasn't won a Bledisloe Cup, nor a RWC, so in the meantime I'll think he'll stay.