The Tahs 2009

[Lee Grant]

Exactly right Biff

It is the sub-editors job to create a headline that grabs the reader's attention.

If he did not, unemployment would be an issue for him.

Thus, if Joe Bloggs is asked if Fred Nerk is the greatest player in the world and Bloggs says that Bob Down and Jack Off must be considered also, then the headline would be: "Bloggs Says Nerk Sucks."

 

[fatprop]

"It probably took a year for me to scratch up my knowledge and know how to play rugby, so this year I'm coming in confident and I'm expecting big things from myself.

"Hopefully I'll have a good season."

Tahu said the Brumbies match-up would give him a better gauge of where he was at.

"I expect they're going to be full strength sides, I'll be probably up against Stirling Mortlock so it'll probably give me a test on how much I've prepared and how much the team has prepared," he said.

"Going into that game is going to be a good challenge for us before the Super 14 starts".

Is this really talking yourself up?

 

[Lindommer]

A prodigal son returns: Luke Doherty signs for the Tahs. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24999372-5015651,00.html

Can Reds and Force supporters give us a bit of background on Luke.

 

[Ash]

A prodigal son returns: Luke Doherty signs for the Tahs. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24999372-5015651,00.html

Can Reds and Force supporters give us a bit of background on Luke.

Returns? I thought he was going to the Tahs?

T. Kefu rated him as a future test flanker when Kefu left to Japan, but of course Roe stepped into the number 8 role after dominating there at club level for quite a while. Doherty used to be a bit of a penalty magnet, good defence though, and mobile. Can jump in the lineout. Always thought of him as a rather tall number 8 who could play blindside. Never quite shone for the Reds though with the chances he got at S14 level, and then continued the same level of non-shining with his extra chances at the Force before he buggered off to Japan.

Solid maybe...I guess he will provide depth. Then again, he could suit the style of play that the Tahs will need at 6.

 

[fatprop]

He always looked a bit loose to me, but he has the skills and a third real jumper gives the Tahs pack flexibility.

 

[formeropenside]

A prodigal son returns: Luke Doherty signs for the Tahs. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24999372-5015651,00.html

Can Reds and Force supporters give us a bit of background on Luke.

"Prodigal son"??? If he had come back to Qld he would be a prodigal son.

He's primarily a 6, but tall enough to play lock in a pinch. He's in the Cockbain mold as I recall - hard running and hard hitting, without being flashy.

He always seemed to promise a bit more than he delivered though: I thought he would challenge for Wallaby selection with a year or so's S14 experience, but he did not. I don't know why he left the Force.

 

[RugbyReg]

fuck. Good signing.

He's starting late but I reckon he'll end up leap frogging both Fava and Mowen for the 3rd backrow spot.

 

[Scarfman]

I watched him at Ballymore (vs Tahs) about 8 years ago and said to the old man - shit, this bloke is hot, future Wallaby, etc etc.

When he signed for the Force I though - here we go, watch him take off.

I haven't followed his career closely but seems like plenty of talent with something stopping him moving to the next level. I would have thought that Fava leaving the Force was his big chance. Maybe Cueball has put the kybosh on him.

 

[Lee Grant]

As I wrote in the report on the latest Tahs trial: Fava and Mowen don't seem ideal to provide a backup for Palu nor to replace Elsom if Mumm plays lock as seems likely.

Doherty won't be the answer either as his light, skills game game is similar to that of Mowen. Mowen will have the edge on him to start for the Tahs but as the season progresses I trust that the player who plays the harder of the two and does the most work will prevail.

IIRR Doherty was a better lineout option than Mowen and was more adept in the 2nd row. If these attributes become evident on the park he could gain precedence.

In this sense, his acquisition should be beneficial, but he would have to have improved from the last time I saw him play for me to be rapt in his appointment. It is unlikely that any improvement accrued in Japan club rugby.

 

[RugbyReg]

Likey to be no Freier first round with TPN and (deep breaths Lee) Damien Fitzpatrick to be the hookers.

 

[Lee Grant]

Wow - I mentioned on the trial thread that this was a possibility because I thought that I recalled Freier limping off.

Fitzy hasn't played a lot of senior rugby and didn't crack the starting spot in the 1st grade Eastwood team until halfway through the season. It's a bit before his time physically, but that doesn't seem to bother anybody these days. He's was in the amateur Tahs Academy last year and the professional group this year; so he's had all the content and a bit of gym work.

They'll probably keep TPN on as long as they can but they can ill afford to have him hurt too. It's going to be interesting if he is though, and Freier is still out. If the JW player list on Thursday night is any guide then Nath Nichol, who was also a Joeys hooker, in 2004, is next cab off the rank. But he's a regular in the Gordon 2nd grade team, an amateur and not even in the Tahs Academy.

If 19 y.o. Damien gets onto the park he'll be another backrower - but the same could be said of TPN (a 2nd eighth man) and Freier (a 2nd fetcher). Rest assured if he gets the pill in his mitts he will know how to use it.

I wish Fitzy well if he gets onto the park, as we all would to a young Aussie player making a debut. He has all the attributes to be a professional player but now his attitude and rugby smarts will be ahead of his physical preparation, his throwing to lineout, and no doubt, his scrummaging.

Watch this space.

 

[fatprop]

He is a better option than Al Manning, but Dan Palmer played hooker for Southern Districts last year as well.

 

[RugbyReg]

But did Palmer throw? Or was it McCormack at 8?

 

[Cutter]

First grade rugby in Sydney must be pretty rubbish if McCormack is playing No. 8. He is a superb hooker, and deserved higher honours imo, but he aint no 8.

 

[fatprop]

First grade rugby in Sydney must be pretty rubbish if McCormack is playing No. 8. He is a superb hooker, and deserved higher honours imo, but he aint no 8.

Southern Districts isn't a strong side. The Sydney comp is the strongest in Aus by a long way

 

[Cutter]

Sorry, I should have said that it isnt as strong as it used be. I used see a fair bit of Sydney club rugby and he would never have made it as a number 8. So has the quality of the competition decreased or has he turned into a fast, fit backrower?

I am guessing that it is probably the former because a lot of the good club players that were playing in that comp in the late 90s and early 00s are playing overseas now. Presumably, for a proportion of players, once they make a name for themselves they head overseas rather than continuing to play club rugby.

 

[fatprop]

Sorry, I should have said that it isnt as strong as it used be. I used see a fair bit of Sydney club rugby and he would never have made it as a number 8. So has the quality of the competition decreased or has he turned into a fast, fit backrower?

I am guessing that it is probably the former because a lot of the good club players that were playing in that comp in the late 90s and early 00s are playing overseas now. Presumably, for a proportion of players, once they make a name for themselves they head overseas rather than continuing to play club rugby.

I am just speculating, but a fit S14 hooker could/can play in the back row at club level.

Freier Yep
Nau Sure, did and has
Moore, would be a good club 8

 

[Cutter]

McCormack was never the fittest hooker running around. Moore, TPN and Frier are not just S14 hookers, they are Wallabies who have played multiple tests and they are pretty good athletes for hookers. I wouldnt back Brendan Cannon to play No. 8 at club level or Mark Bell, Phil Kearns or Michael Foley as they were all too slow. No. 8 is more of a specialist position than you give it credit for as well. Witness Kaino's problems there for the ABs versus when he moved to 6.

 

[RugbyReg]

McCormack was never the fittest hooker running around. Moore, TPN and Frier are not just S14 hookers, they are Wallabies who have played multiple tests and they are pretty good athletes for hookers. I wouldnt back Brendan Cannon to play No. 8 at club level or Mark Bell, Phil Kearns or Michael Foley as they were all too slow. No. 8 is more of a specialist position than you give it credit for as well. Witness Kaino's problems there for the ABs versus when he moved to 6.

I would. He played colts there. And was going to play grades there until Chris Carberry suggested he move to hooker. Ironically it was an off-season worth of weights work to strengthen him up for the front row that probably saved his life when he had a very bad car crash at the beginning of the next season. But he was a jnr rep player at 8 and a bloody good one at that.

 

[Lee Grant]

Interesting - I didn't know that about McCormack.


Cutter,

I would have backed a young Phil Kearns before his long absence because of achilles and ankle injuries to play 8 at club level.