Waratahs 2016

[Rugbynutter39]

Update - Tahs squad 2015

1. Robinson
2. Polota-Nau
3. Ta'avao
4. Skelton
5. Mumm
6. Dempsey
7. Hooper
8. Dennis
9. Phipps
10. Foley
11. Horne
12. Beale
13. Carraro
14. Guildford
15. Folau

16. Tilse
17. Latu
18. Ryan
19. Lousi
20. Holloway
21. (scrumhalf req'd - maybe Lucas)
22. Horwitz
23. Kellaway

24. Roach
25. Robertson (currently EPS)
26. Sandell (currently EPS)
27. (lock req'd - maybe Hanigan - currently transition)
28. (lock req'd - maybe Philip)
29. Wilkin
30. (on-baller req'd)
31. (No.8 req'd)
32. Gordon (currently EPS)
33. (inside centre req'd)
34. Stewart
35. (winger req'd - maybe Jones - currently transition - or Clunies-Ross/Northam)
36. Robinson

Other current transition - Orr (LHP) / Deegan (flyhalf)

By my count, there's 7 contracts remaining. I've assumed a 21/15 split between piano pushers/players, though this year was 20/16 - noting Faleali'i, Horwitz, Lance, Kellaway, Clunies-Ross, Volavola, even Betham, were largely unsighted so there's an argument of rebalance towards the former).

I watched FA NRC, so there may be some form players I haven't considered - I might have tried Boyd Killingworth though understand he's committed to sevens. I think Hanigan and Jones are good as locked, any thoughts on other possibles for the 7 remaining spots??

No reece

 

[Rugbynutter39]

The Stewart in nrc far from convinced me ready for next steps - don't think he will mAke it personally

 

[Rugbynutter39]

No reece

Sorry missed him at .36

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Must admit beyond starting 15 very weak squad

 

[Braveheart81]

We're definitely heading into a bit of a rebuilding phase after losing several very experienced Wallabies.

One of the downsides of having a very settled team for the last couple of years is that the guys stepping in next year have very little experience.

I have confidence that most of them will step up before too long.

Holloway, Kellaway, Horwitz, Dempsey, Lousi etc. need to come of age and show that they're ready for Super Rugby when they get their opportunities.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

We're definitely heading into a bit of a rebuilding phase after losing several very experienced Wallabies.

One of the downsides of having a very settled team for the last couple of years is that the guys stepping in next year have very little experience.

I have confidence that most of them will step up before too long.

Holloway, Kellaway, Horwitz, Dempsey, Lousi etc. need to come of age and show that they're ready for Super Rugby when they get their opportunities.

And given most of those players been around Waratahs squad a season or two time to throw them into the cauldron perhaps and see if they can make the next step up....

 

[Braveheart81]

Tilse has given the Tahs excellent service these past nine years, and is one of the social and morale glues of the squad, but I can't help feeling it might've been a better bet for the future to go with Michael Ala'alatoa. It's difficult to see Tilse improving from where he is now, on the other hand Michael's full potential is unknown ATM but I have a sneaking suspicion he could end up an able replacement for Fat Cat.

Ala'alatoa has gone looking for opportunity. Reports suggest he chose to give up his Tahs contract to go and play ITM Cup.

It's not like Tilse gets much opportunity. He's lucky to play 10 minutes a game.

Maybe Ala'alatoa will get that opportunity somewhere and then come back?

He's certainly come along in leaps and bounds already for the Turbos.

This has always been an issue for the Waratahs where we've had test quality starting props. Invariably when the next star up and comer gets to a certain point they leave because there is much better opportunity available elsewhere.

It seems like Mike is trying to find somewhere he can be a consistent starter. That still wouldn't be available at the Tahs in 2016.

 

[Lindommer]

One injury and Ala'alatoa wears the 1 jumper. After watching this young man from the start of his rugby career as an 8 year old it'd be a shame to lose him from the Tahs setup. I doubt very much if he'll get a start at another Super side this year.

 

[Braveheart81]

One injury and Ala'alatoa wears the 1 jumper. After watching this young man from the start of his rugby career as an 8 year old it'd be a shame to lose him from the Tahs setup.

Why didn't he back himself and stay then?

Is there any indication he wasn't offered a contract next year? Only reports I can find suggest he left because he wanted to play ITM Cup rather than NRC.

Is there any news yet on where he is playing next year?

 

[Lindommer]

None that I can find. Yer right about Michael not backing himself at the Tahs, but we don't know what happened/what was said behind closed doors. As one who's been emotionally involved in his rugby career I'm disappointed he's decided not to stay at the Tahs. Ditto for his brother.

 

[Braveheart81]

Mike has certainly seemed to come of age in the ITM Cup. He has been one of the best in the comp.

Hopefully he's seeking out options in Australia for 2016 including potentially being at the Tahs again.

He had a full contract in 2015. Ta'avao has taken Kepu's contract, Robertson and Sandell have come into the EPS and Orr is on a transition contract. Not sure what Dashville Kuate is up to but it would be surprising if he has a full contract next year. Certainly nothing has been announced yet.

So you'd certainly assume there is still one more full contract for a prop in 2016.

 

[Jagman]

I think Tom Robertson will make his way to starting THP sooner than expected (if not next year the year after). He looks like he's already pretty good at both scrummaging and impact around the park (including scoring tries).

 

[qwerty51]

Mike Ala'alatoa has signed with the Crusaders along with Pete Samu.

Why they both couldn't get Aus contracts is just bewildering. Someone will regret this badly.

I've got no issues with letting Volavola go or Nadolo at the stage he left but these two are killing it in the ITM Cup.

 

[Pfitzy]

Fucking poaching Kiwis.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

^^ Something ... ... ... something ... ... ... that John West reject ... ... ... something ... ... ... quality

Is this a sign of good depth developing in Oz rugby ?

 

[gowaratahs]

So you'd certainly assume there is still one more full contract for a prop in 2016.

With Latu packing down recently at LHP he may provide the cover if we lose a prop, with Roach then covering the rake.

Last season we had Ala'alatoa and Kuate on the books - though for 2016 we have Robertson (LHP) and Sandell (THP) whom will both learn from a very experienced and deep front row... though Latu will probably be used first if an opening appears. We may even see both Latu and Roach on the bench, at the expense of Tilse.

I think we need to find more locks and loosies.

 

[I like to watch]

I think we need to find more locks and loosies.

And 9's & 10's,and centres,wings & fullbacks......

 

[boyo]

Please someone tell him he can't bat the ball out from the in goal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Or bat the ball into touch

 

[dru]

With Latu packing down recently at LHP he may provide the cover if we lose a prop, with Roach then covering the rake.

Last season we had Ala'alatoa and Kuate on the books - though for 2016 we have Robertson (LHP) and Sandell (THP) whom will both learn from a very experienced and deep front row. though Latu will probably be used first if an opening appears. We may even see both Latu and Roach on the bench, at the expense of Tilse.

I think we need to find more locks and loosies.

Loosies? OK I'm looking from the outside-in (Reds fan living in Sydney) but in Aus we seem to produce 7's like we are standing kids in manure in some kind of magic 7 production farm. 8's not so much, but right now that doesn't seem to be an issue. And there seems enough to cover 6.

Aussie locks continue to worry me. Though surely the Tahs are looking good right now.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Latu was fairly ordinary when he was playing at prop in Shute Shield and NRC.

It would be a very courageous Super Rugby coach that would nominate him at prop for a Super Rugby fixture.