Maybe it was just an emotive statement y.
Nah. Not emotive. Just something I heard around the traps. Perhaps I should stay clear of those rugby whispers though.
Maybe it was just an emotive statement y.
1. Lee, yeah, but from my recollection, Hooper was an extremely capable player and handled the rise very well. he was always a very mature and solid player all the way thru school and his deployment at the academy. I thought he handled it well.
2. Some can, some need time. I prefer they all are given time but the requirements of professional rugby are now susch that coaches at times don't have that luxury.
1. This is true but is beside the point: that Friend should have had a more seasoned player in his stable to cover for Smith. He didn't and everything turned out OK, but I wouldn't have like an 18 y.o. son of mine used like that after he had had a shoulder reconstruction.
2. Friend was warehousing two teenagers in the academy and didn't want anybody else to nab them; so he gave those pro academy spots to them instead of one to the likes of local Jack Lam who ended up playing in the ITM Cup in NZ.
At least you didn't use the customary "If they're good enough, their old enough" deflection. I would have gagged on that knee jerker.
1. This is true but is beside the point: that Friend should have had a more seasoned player in his stable to cover for Smith. He didn't and everything turned out OK, but I wouldn't have like an 18 y.o. son of mine used like that after he had had a shoulder reconstruction.
2. Friend was warehousing two teenagers in the academy and didn't want anybody else to nab them; so he gave those pro academy spots to them instead of one to the likes of local Jack Lam who ended up playing in the ITM Cup in NZ.
At least you didn't use the customary "If they're good enough, their old enough" deflection. I would have gagged on that knee jerker.
Jack was poached and has been playing in NZ since 2008. Pat Lam (cousin/coach of Blues) had plenty to do with that I'm sure. He didn't just "end up" there through missing out at Brumbies, NZ was just the better offer. Expect to see him in the 7 jersey for Chiefs this year.
He's playing for the 'canes...
I think they've just been recognised as better prospects than Lam...
At least you didn't use the customary "If they're good enough, their old enough" deflection. I would have gagged on that knee jerker.
I have watched him for year
Only a year?
Where's Peter Piper and his legal eagles when you need him?
Bon voyage!I'm off on a cruise
You miss the point that for 2010 Friend should have had a seasoned player to replace Smith either in the S14 squad or the pro academy. He used an 18 y.o Academy player, who had a recent shoulder reconstruction, instead. Everybody dodges that point, as they have to, as it's an inconvenient truth.
That's all from me about Mr. Friend.
Burgess was never fit in his time with the Brumbies to even make the bench...
I think he was leaning towards "good enough to play" Bruce.
Actually, that's not what I meant at all...
I did mean that he generally wasn't fit enough to play when he had the opportunities...
The Brumbies had both Gregan and Henjak until 2005... and let's not forget that Burgess got his only caps with the Brumbies during that period!
He was injured a LOT during his time with the Brumbies which is why he never challenged Phibbs for Gregan's backup spot...
And it's a bit rich for a Waratahs fans to put down another team for 'warehousing talent'...
Actually, that's not what I meant at all...