p.Tah
John Thornett (49)
I actually had a surgeon who suggested that for my knee. After an MRI he wanted to use me as a case study to see if the ACL could heal itself (unusual conditions that may have allowed that). In the end I did get surgery.
Waratahs 2014
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T
Train Without a Station
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And strengthening at the Rebels...
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Foley going means either:
- that Beale is on his way back to the Tahs already; or
- Someone was asleep at the wheel in Tahland
rugbysmartarse
Alan Cameron (40)
bugger about Foley. Good thing the Tahs haven't taught him ho to kick yet.
I dunno, if you were considering the Uni sides strengths it would be their athletic high workrate forwards, not their back-line play.
The Rebels will have a really solid back line next year, without a lot of actual threat.
From the sound of things Foley has been offered a pretty big contract to move to the Rebels.
That would suggest the Rebels are losing at least Beale and possibly JOC (James O'Connor) as well.
I'm disappointed to lose Foley (and Kingston) but it's hard to begrudge players seeking to maximise their remuneration or opportunity.
I certainly hope Beale is heading back to Moore Park now. I think he'll flourish once he's back in Sydney and I'm keen to see what Cheika can do with him. I think Cheika is exactly the sort of coach he needs.
That would suggest the Rebels are losing at least Beale and possibly JOC (James O'Connor) as well.
I'm disappointed to lose Foley (and Kingston) but it's hard to begrudge players seeking to maximise their remuneration or opportunity.
I certainly hope Beale is heading back to Moore Park now. I think he'll flourish once he's back in Sydney and I'm keen to see what Cheika can do with him. I think Cheika is exactly the sort of coach he needs.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
We seem a bit thin on wingers next year to be letting Kingston go: who are the contenders?
Betham and Crawford and Turner is still on the books. Definitely looks like an area where we need a recruit now.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
From the 20 minutes i saw of Turner for the Woodies he seems to have lost it.
Richo
John Thornett (49)
A bit thin, but Kingston probably commanded too much to be a back-up. It's about value, which is why the Tahs would have let him go.
mjw
Larry Dwyer (12)
Also Hodge.
Seems like Foley and Kingston as Sydney Uni players going to Rebels with their old coach. Perhaps a pointer to Hill being reappointed.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Really?
How many of his 25 games for the Tahs have actually been starting?
Also you need more cover for wingers because there are 2 of them
Whats our fullback cover? Particularly if, as seems logical (and therefore, perhaps, unlikely), Beale is coming back.
Unless there are stars in Shute Shield Cheika is not going to get the team he wants (or needs).
Bump.
So an update on where things are at. To make it easier, green names have re-signed, red names are leaving, blue names are still uncertain but seem likely to stay.
Additions for next year from outside the 2013 squad are Nick Phipps, Tala Grey and Jono Lance.
Given the players we are losing, it is increasingly important that we retain Robinson, Betham, Folau, Douglas, Lucas and Skelton in particular. It would also seem more likely that some of the older fringe players may remain given we need to fill spots in the squad and there will already be a fair bit of room for young players (people like Carter, Turner, Tilse etc.)
The players I would be surprised to see retained are Hart, Holmes, Peterson and Atkins. They've had little or no game time and seem to be well down the pecking order.
Of the green and blue names and the additions we've only got 20 players out of a squad of 30 (given the EPS has to come from outside the 2013 squad as they are single year new contracts).
If we added Volavola, Holloway, Chapman, Ulugia, Tilse, McKibbin, Fitzpatrick that brings the size of the squad to 27 leaving three spots. Potentially Kurtley Beale could fill one of those.
For the EPS next year my picks are: Hugh Roach, David Horwitz, Waldo Wessels, A Prop, A winger or A lock.
Of course the squad size could increase slightly next year with the addition of a prop to every matchday squad.
Unless Turner stays as a backup winger, it would seem we need to sign another winger and perhaps another lock and prop.
Richo
John Thornett (49)
If the Rebels offered Kingston starter money, the Tahs aren't going to beat that to have him as a back up. That's what value means for a rugby team with a salary cap. You can't overpay for non-essential players. The Tahs would be better off finding a winger who gives them 85% of what Kingston does and paying him the minimum.
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