Blackadder
Desmond Connor (43)
I would love to see Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) have a run at fullback at some time. Might give him the space he needs to roam and continue what he showed in the highlanders trial
Waratahs 2020
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
Blackadder
Desmond Connor (43)
Any rumours of Horwitz returning?
Blackadder
Desmond Connor (43)
With Fitzpatrick and now Beale leaving early that is a lot of experience gone. Time for a few young guns to get their shot and hopefully build to the future.
KOB1987
Rod McCall (65)
Yes he is back in the country.
Zimbabwean-born Australian centre Kyle Godwin, his fellow Aussie midfielder David Horwitz, and English lock Joe Maksymiw will also seek pastures anew after their two-year contracts weren’t renewed.
https://www.the42.ie/connacht-rugby-4-5110941-May2020/
upthereds#!
Ken Catchpole (46)
Unfortunately a host of experienced and class players left last year but were replaced by local players and youngsters who just weren't up to scratch. Too much experience, size and class went to quickly and all at once. No chance for development, only the deep end and they drowned.
Some young promising options in the Backrow and 9/10, but its the Tight 5 and Back 3 where we run into problems. The coach when he came in said they need a proper THP, an enforcer lock/8, a go forward centre/wing. Basically replacements for Kepu, Skelton, Palu & Naiyaravoro.
Tahs best hooker is Abel. That is a problem and there is no epic young gun waiting in the wings. THP an issue as well with HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) not really a scrum pig, but a promising teenager in the wings in Tauakipulu. Locks are a problem also with no muscle- hopefully the 2 younger guys they have get a crack at u20 but I think they missed out this year. Are they the specimens that the Tahs desperately need? Hope so
Centres is concerning. Godwin is good but so is Hunt. It's the 13 that is the problem with Foketi, Moeroa and Newsome just ...average. Outside backs looks young and speedy with Ramm, Reilly, Nawaqa, Maddocks, Clark but very very light. With no punch in the middle either. It was/is a problem in 2020 and looks like it will continue to be a problem.
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
upthereds#!
Ken Catchpole (46)
Only 23 and has the build for it! The Reds only got him on Injury replacement for BPA, with their normal 3rd option Sean Farrell, local product bumped down the list behind him or injured not sure. Interesting that the Rebels did the same - brought in a Injury replacement (Misa) who ended up ranking higher then their development players (Moore)
Declan Moore & Tom Horton are same age, both Sydney based - both got offered contracts (Tahs & Rebels). Was Craig not rated? Not available? Full time teaching/coaching gig at Barker would pay a fair chunk more then a minimum Super Rugby contract.
Froggy
John Solomon (38)
While a lot of these players got a constant bagging on these threads, the loss of Beale, Fitzpatrick, Kepu, Foley and Phipps is just a massive loss in experience, in most cases replaced by a guy who, however promising, hasn't played a minute of super rugby prior to this year.
To consider the next twelve months as anything but a re-build is delusional. While mostly on the same page as UTR on this, I disagree on a couple of points. HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) was scrummaging fine for a bloke his age, the setback this year has been having him change sides. I think it's early too write him off yet. Also, we haven't seen nearly enough of Moeroa to write him off at the top level yet.
In the forwards, it has to be getting time to give Harris and Tafa a run. They may not be quite ready, but hoping for any better than we've seen from the likes of Holloway or Staniforth is optimism that's vert hard to justify.
To consider the next twelve months as anything but a re-build is delusional. While mostly on the same page as UTR on this, I disagree on a couple of points. HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) was scrummaging fine for a bloke his age, the setback this year has been having him change sides. I think it's early too write him off yet. Also, we haven't seen nearly enough of Moeroa to write him off at the top level yet.
In the forwards, it has to be getting time to give Harris and Tafa a run. They may not be quite ready, but hoping for any better than we've seen from the likes of Holloway or Staniforth is optimism that's vert hard to justify.
molman
Peter Johnson (47)
Holloway just hasn't continued with those glimpses of potential he showed a year or so back. I'd really hoped that stint in Ireland would have refreshed him but I'm not sure he'll step up. Him and the other forwards really struggled against the likes of teams like the Chiefs earlier this year. Poor Harrison put in an admirable performance behind a poor pack.
Tafa seems to have a lot of promise. Had decent impact at the Waratah's A level, so it'll be interesting to see if he can keep developing, fully step up to the next level. His limited runs off the bench have been ok, so its early days.
Brumby Runner
David Wilson (68)
Harris was preferred to Wilson at No 8 for the U20s. Wilson has proved to be Super-ready. I see no reason why Harris shouldn't also be ready and why he shouldn't take the starting No 8 spot.
He was a standout in the early season A games so there's further evidence he's ready to go at Super Rugby level.
Derpus
George Gregan (70)
Yeah particularly as Dempsey hasn't exactly lit the world on fire.
molman
Peter Johnson (47)
Hopefully we'll get to see him get a couple of runs in AU SuperRugby. I guess there has been the ongoing hope that Dempsey would find some of that Bledisloe Cup form he had before that ill fated Barbarians game. Swinton had shown some good promise too at times. It's just consistent performance not even between games but often even within a game that we need.
Derpus
George Gregan (70)
Even before that game - he's never been that great for the Tahs. His best (a long time ago) was in Gold.
dru
Tim Horan (67)
I don't know about that. Sure I don't study Waratahs as much as I do the Reds, but I have felt that Dempsey is underrated for a while. Could become something very impressive. Let him fight for it, but don't write him off.
The Honey Badger
Jim Lenehan (48)
Thats a bit tough. Ive seen him with matches and a petrol can.
I do think the injury in the Barbarians game set him back big time. But no way would I write him off, think he still has plenty to contribute. He along with Swinton and Hooper is not the shabbiest back row.
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
Dempsey since coming off big injury never been same - but not prepared to write him off yet
formerflanker
Ken Catchpole (46)
The extra down time caused by lockdowns may be ideal for him, if his injury was a long term problem.