Tahs Vs Brumbies

[Scarfman]

Morty is perfectly capable of throwing a well-weighted pass into space. On the other hand, those deep Brumbies backline moves look best against poor to moderate defences. To get past the Tahs, as a bare minumum they're going to need Lealiifano to play competently.

 

[Rugby Rat]

Hoiles hasn't been quick off the mark this year. The loss of Palu won't be a huge worry. Smith nulified by Waugh. A Waratah Wallaby front row. Beale should play better than Leiofano. Gerrard no speed to catch the likes of Turner/Horne/Lote.

Waraths by 12.

snigger.

yeah, sure.

The loss of Palu will not impact on the result of this game. Sure if it was the Sharks, Bulls, Cheifs or Canes it might.

 

[Moses]

The loss of Palu will not impact on the result of this game. Sure if it was the Sharks, Bulls, Cheifs or Canes it might.

I find myself agreeing with you.. we could stick Sheehan at 8 and he'd be able to keep Hoiles in check!
Wont be a bad thing for the season if Cliffy can get a week or two's rest at this time either, will be beneficial to have a backup blooded (especially while Fava's also injured we can get someone decent on the bench) and we should be able to get past the Brumbies and the current Saders regardless.

 

[Rugby Rat]

The loss of Palu will not impact on the result of this game. Sure if it was the Sharks, Bulls, Cheifs or Canes it might.

I find myself agreeing with you.. we could stick Sheehan at 8 and he'd be able to keep Hoiles in check!
Wont be a bad thing for the season if Cliffy can get a week or two's rest at this time either, will be beneficial to have a backup blooded (especially while Fava's also injured we can get someone decent on the bench) and we should be able to get past the Brumbies and the current Saders regardless.

Hoiles is still a good rugby player yet does not have the dash he had in 2008.

The Waratahs are even or better accross the park than the Brumbies. Only exception being Mortlock.

Norton Knight will lose the kicking battle with Gerrard, so we might see a Waratah running game. It would be sensational to see all the Tah backs and Mowen link up. They have a huge speed advantage and should use it.

 

[Ash]

Brumbies have potentially some better players than the Tahs: Moore, G. Smith, T. Smith, Mortlock, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper).

The Tahs will decimate the Brumbies pack if they play the same way as they did vs the Reds. I expect a mullering in the scrum, and the Brumbies lineout this year has also been very disappointing. I'd like to see the Tahs attack them at set peice and ruck time.

Good to see the Bumbies are adjusting their backline back to 12. T. Smith 13. Mortlock, but I think they have it wrong by putting 15. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) 11. Gerrard - I think they have that one back to front. The Tahs didn't fare too well in the kicking contests vs the Reds, so the Brumbies should have Gerrard in a position where he can exploit that.

I'd like to see the Tahs play with some width and give Beale more options. Last game Beale's decision making in regards to running / kicking / passing was poor, so maybe they could make it easier on him by bringing up a second ball player into 2nd receiver as much as possible - SNK, Horne, Hangers or whomever - a second receiver crash ball isn't going to win them games after their luck runs out.

 

[Rugby Rat]

Agreed on Moore. Carter and Smith even. Waugh and Smith even. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) can only do so much and therefore he and Noton Knight are even.

Gerrard has lifted in general play and will be no pushover on the wing. He will however need some exceptional support play from his team to get past the speedy Tahs. Gerarrd can break a tackle and offload. A simple chip and chase will have him found wanting.

As for the other part of your post and the Tah gameplan. I will leave that to the coaching staff.
Pressure built on great defence I can live with for now. Lucky against the Reds but it seems week in week out they get the breaks.

Perhaps they will run out of luck by the GF time, however with some nice support play they have the speed and talent to get the title. Scrum = Solid. Lineout = Solid. Wings = Solid. Halfback = solid. Beale, the centres and Norton Knight will need to to do better than hold their own.

 

[Ash]

T. Carter isn't in the same class as T. Smith.

T. Smith is a good 2 Carters, at least.

 

[Rugby Rat]

Maybe. Anyways even if we took him as a weak link...he would be the only one.

 

[Biffo]

Spooky, where are you when we neeeeed you? Please come back and opine. I am looking forward to your telling us that Hoiles will smash Palu into the dirt.

 

[Cutter]

T. Carter isn't in the same class as T. Smith.

T. Smith is a good 2 Carters, at least.

Agree. I also think G Smith has the edge on Waugh. These one on one match ups dont mean much other than something to talk about. Rugby is a combinations game and it will be the team which combines best rather than the individuals who shine which will determine the result. I know everyone knows that.

Go the Brahs.

 

[Biffo]

T. Carter isn't in the same class as T. Smith.

T. Smith is a good 2 Carters, at least.

Agree. I also think G Smith has the edge on Waugh. These one on one match ups dont mean much other than something to talk about. Rugby is a combinations game and it will be the team which combines best rather than the individuals who shine which will determine the result. I know everyone knows that.

Go the Brahs.

I do like Trumbies

 

[mark_s]

I think this will be the tahs 1st loss of the season. While its early, the brumbies will struggle to make the finals if they lose this weekend and our luck is due to run out. Brumbies by 13 I think.

 

[Ash]

Brumbies announced. Good to see AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) at wing and Gerrard at fullback, contrary to prevoius reports. Fanifo keeps his spot ahead of Rathbone.

Lealiifano lucky to maintain his position, but it's unsurprising: Friend is correct in his reluctance to put an 18 year old flyhalf outside an inexperienced half, and inside an inexperienced 12. Another dire performance from Lealiifano could force his hand, though.

Holmes replaces Phibbs at scrumhalf. Let's hope that Holmes, after some really uninspiring performances off the bench, does a Burgess circa 2008 and suddenly steps up after being given a start.

Hand maintains his spot in the second row. Friend must see something I don't, or Hand is a great trainer.

Kimlin comes in at 6 at the expense of Salvi. Guess they are looking for more firepower to face up to the Tahs. Good luck - don't think the Brumbies can match the Tahs in that department. For some reason Timani is bracketed with Mackay on the bench - Timani under an injury cloud?

Still no Ben Alexander.

Brumbies: Mark Gerrard, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Stirling Mortlock, Tyrone Smith, Francis Fainifo, Christian Lealiifano, Joshua Holmes, Stephen Hoiles (capt), George Smith, Peter Kimlin, Mark Chisholm, Ben Hand, Guy Shepherdson, Stephen Moore, Nic Henderson, Res: Huia Edmonds, Ben Alexander, Sitaleki Timani/Shawn Mackay, Julian Salvi, Patrick Phibbs, Matt To'omua, Clyde Rathbone.

Even with a few injury problems, I see a Tahs win. Hope Al Baxter and Benn Robinson play so we can compare another Aus v Aus scrum.

 

[fatprop]

New South Waratahs forward Wycliff Palu likely to play Brumbies


March 10, 2009

New South Wales Waratahs forward Wycliff Palu is likely to play in Friday's Super 14 derby against the Brumbies in Canberra after being cleared by a specialist to train.

Palu has a crack in his hand, but now only needs to get through this week's two sessions to take his place for the unbeaten Waratahs.

NSW coach Chris Hickey named a 24-man squad for the crucial encounter, with new signing Luke Doherty the shadow for Palu.

Prop Jeremy Tilse was named as cover for tight-head Al Baxter, who is in doubt after suffering a calf strain.

If Baxter plays, he will make his 100th appearance for the Waratahs.

"Much like Benn Robinson was last week, Al Baxter's 50-50 at this stage," Hickey said.

"He suffered a calf strain against the Reds, but he did finish the match off which is always a good sign.

"We'll have to monitor Al's load throughout the week, so we've brought in Jeremy Tilse again to prepare with the side and he'll be ready to go if needed."

Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau will undergo a neurological test on Wednesday after he suffered concussion in the win over Queensland.

Under International Rugby Board rules, a concussed player must undergo the test to be eligible to play the following week, and Waratahs officials are confident Polota-Nau will be cleared.

No replacement was named for him in the squad.

Hickey, who was an assistant coach with the Brumbies in 1997, said the squad was ready for it's second Australian derby in two weeks.

"I think anyone who watched last week's match against the Reds would agree that the all-Australian matches hold a certain level of intrigue and passion, and that will be there again on Friday when we play the Brumbies," he said.

"Canberra Stadium is one of those really good grounds to play footy at.

"The crowd provides a great atmosphere and we're looking forward to the challenge of getting down there and putting our best foot forward."

Al Baxter, Kurtley Beale, Luke Burgess, Will Caldwell, Tom Carter, Dave Dennis, Luke Doherty, Adam Freier, Daniel Halangahu, Rob Horne, Ben Mowen, Dean Mumm, Sam Norton-Knight, Dan Palmer, Wycliff Palu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson, Brett Sheehan, Timana Tahu, Chris Thomson, Jeremy Tilse, Lote Tuqiri, Lachie Turner, Phil Waugh (C)

 

[Scarfman]

Latest Member: Spook

Hate week is back on!

 

[Ash]

The big worry for the Tahs is that they are being forced to play their top players injured due to lack of quality replacements. They are running a risk of losing key players who have all been under injury clouds in the last few weeks, like Baxter, Robinson, TPN, Frieir, Palu, Waugh, etc. All are key members of their pack, and all are currently irreplacable.

Over the next few weeks, the Tahs have: Crusaders, Blues, Stormers, Bulls, Force. No real easy games, and no bye until round 11. Something to watch out for. By the time the Tahs hit the Bulls, I think they will start experiencing a slump unless they can rest their players.

The Tahs face the Cheetahs the week after their bye in SA. Unfortunate, as if they had them at home earlier they might've been able to rest half their pack.

WB Spook!

 

[fatprop]

The big worry for the Tahs is that they are being forced to play their top players injured due to lack of quality replacements. They are running a risk of losing key players who have all been under injury clouds in the last few weeks, like Baxter, Robinson, TPN, Frieir, Palu, Waugh, etc. All are key members of their pack, and all are currently irreplacable.

Over the next few weeks, the Tahs have: Crusaders, Blues, Stormers, Bulls, Force. No real easy games, and no bye until round 11. Something to watch out for. By the time the Tahs hit the Bulls, I think they will start experiencing a slump unless they can rest their players.

The Tahs face the Cheetahs the week after their bye in SA. Unfortunate, as if they had them at home earlier they might've been able to rest half their pack.

WB Spook!

That is my fear, Deans must be worried too.

 

[PaarlBok]

The Tahs face the Cheetahs the week after their bye in SA. Unfortunate, as if they had them at home earlier they might've been able to rest half their

Good if you think the Cheetahs will be easy in Osfontein. Might get one huge surprise. :lmao:

So, who will win this one?

 

[Ash]

The Tahs face the Cheetahs the week after their bye in SA. Unfortunate, as if they had them at home earlier they might've been able to rest half their

Good if you think the Cheetahs will be easy in Osfontein. Might get one huge surprise. :lmao:

So, who will win this one?

That's why when I said "at home", I was referring to the Tahs home, not Cheetahs

Don't think the Cheetahs will be such a pushover in SA at all, especially if they get a close loss or two on tour or back in the Republic, then they will definitely cause an upset at sometime. I just hope to predict it so I can get my TSF suicide win

 

[PaarlBok]

Ash I need your help man. We tipping against your lot this weekend and I need to know which one will win this one. Dont be shy Boet, I always give mine away. :lmao: