Waratahs v Highlanders - Super Rugby round 3
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Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
Dropped out of Latin at the end of year 11. Rates as one of my ten all time best decisions. I didn't have a clue.
DPK
Peter Sullivan (51)
Indeed. Might have been drunk, so I am trying to extricate myself.
Hoped no-one would notice!!
It almost, kinda, sorta works, a little bit...
Don't you have an assignment or something to do anyway?
Probably, but correcting someone's use of Latin on a rugby forum is MUCH more important.
Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
The one point difference was all about the breakdown. But I don't think we were just lucky to be in the game. We did some really good things too, though not always getting any reward. The Highlanders highly vaunted scrum was going backwards all night, they just managed to clear it before the front rowers feet disrupted it. We competed better in the second half and our discipline this week was better. Despite the Tahs having to do more tackling, it wasn't only our blokes who were out on their feet at the end. The Clan deserved to get it but even they'll tell you it was dammed close.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
All of those stats are with 50:50 ball
The Highlanders scrum was unpacked by the 'saders last week too - wasnt it?
Who vaunts it?
@ Inside Shoulder
I think you can't help but be negative towards the Tahs. The Clan beat the Chiefs and Crusaders in the first two rounds and then when they only just beat the Tahs it was because they were off their game, not because the Tahs played well.
The intensity of the game was outstanding. Other teams would have been completely belted by the Highlanders last night.
I think you can't help but be negative towards the Tahs. The Clan beat the Chiefs and Crusaders in the first two rounds and then when they only just beat the Tahs it was because they were off their game, not because the Tahs played well.
The intensity of the game was outstanding. Other teams would have been completely belted by the Highlanders last night.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
I said I didnt know which it was
Blind support is the last thing they need - and so is blind faith
Supporters are still on here saying it could be their year and they cant lose too many more etc etc
THEY ARE 1 FROM 3
It doesnt matter how close their losses are
...and now you loyal troopers who put up with this year in year out will play the "massive injury toll card".
This must end.
Call them for what they are: the greatest underachievers in sport.
Blind support is the last thing they need - and so is blind faith
Supporters are still on here saying it could be their year and they cant lose too many more etc etc
THEY ARE 1 FROM 3
It doesnt matter how close their losses are
...and now you loyal troopers who put up with this year in year out will play the "massive injury toll card".
This must end.
Call them for what they are: the greatest underachievers in sport.
I like to watch
David Codey (61)
That's too harsh.
If they play like they did last night every game this year and don't win another game, and I am happy with their year.
If they play like they did last night every game this year and don't win another game, and I am happy with their year.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
fair enough
My point is that the same argument can be made about the Highlanders. If Hangers kicked his and Limo kicked his the result it's still the same.
Jnor
Peter Fenwicke (45)
I can't fault the effort in Dunedin last night but I can't pretend I'm not very disappointed that, as IS says, we are now one from three.
Hopefully the Tahs can keep up that kind of intensity and play those games through the rest of the season. I will be pretty happy if they do. Unfortunately I just don't know if they can do it, we're used to seeing an implosion every year and whether Foley's regime has stopped that, it's obviously too early to tell.
Really feel for Cutch, he was having a good comeback game IMO. At least Jenkins played well too, I guess we'll be seeing a lot more of him this year (coming back to NSW might prove to be a great decision). I was also impressed by Metuisela, Timani and TPN in the pigs and Pretorius, Foley, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Barnes (especially his kicking in general play) out wide.
Our biggest issue will be if Pretorius goes down. It's a big step down between him and McKibben.
Hopefully the Tahs can keep up that kind of intensity and play those games through the rest of the season. I will be pretty happy if they do. Unfortunately I just don't know if they can do it, we're used to seeing an implosion every year and whether Foley's regime has stopped that, it's obviously too early to tell.
Really feel for Cutch, he was having a good comeback game IMO. At least Jenkins played well too, I guess we'll be seeing a lot more of him this year (coming back to NSW might prove to be a great decision). I was also impressed by Metuisela, Timani and TPN in the pigs and Pretorius, Foley, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Barnes (especially his kicking in general play) out wide.
Our biggest issue will be if Pretorius goes down. It's a big step down between him and McKibben.
Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
This is not a comp for the best 15, and you just replace anyone who gets injured. That's what we did last year and by the time we got to the finals we had a team full of 3rd and 4th choices. I even gave it a name - the Hickey syndrome, aka play till you're stuffed. The whole squad needs to be used. Foley has gone part way to this by stating that he wants a squad of 28 all putting pressure on each other. Sadly, we are already passed that with the injury load.
What you're suggesting is that Pretorius is such a great player that Foley should not sub him (the Genia principle). Apart from the obvious, that to do this is to totally burn out the player by the end of the comp, the most serious thing will be if Pretorius picks up an injury. Every opposing backrower worth his salt would love to put a big hit on him. Sooner or later someone will. Then we bring on McKibben without any previous match play and expect him to be match fit and as good as Pretorius from the first minute.
McKibben's form has been good. He's not as good but Pretorius (yet) but Pretorius is our marquee player! He doesn't have Pretorius's explosive speed but his pass is good, he's reliable without being pedestrian and he has a good kicking game. The kick against the Reds was well weighted and positioned. He was called to do it by a member of the leadership group; in those circumstances the criticism of him was just emotive nonsense.
He needs more game time not less. He should get a start somewhere in the next few weeks against one of the lesser strength Aussie teams.
Yes we are 1 from 3 but the two losses were to two of the top 5 sides in the comp.
If we beat the Force this week (which we should) then we will be 2-2 which from memory was the exact position we were in last year after losing to the Cheetahs. It isn't dire straits just yet.
If we beat the Force this week (which we should) then we will be 2-2 which from memory was the exact position we were in last year after losing to the Cheetahs. It isn't dire straits just yet.
suckerforred
Chilla Wilson (44)
Well I have just watched the replay. Couple of comments..
McCuthchen - If that ankle isn't broken then I'm a gorilla.
Polki - lucky he is not on report.
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) & BB - Played well. Both solid with flashes of brillance. Has AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) been working on his kick.
TPN - has his throwing always been that off? I thought 2010 he wasn't to bad and then last year we didn't see him much. One of the calls was a bit harsh, but the others seemed correct.
Foley (B) - I hope he stays on as 15. He is worth it and Oz needs a good fullback as back up for KB (Kurtley Beale).
Thompson - played well for the clan.
Timani - in two minds with him. Did some good things but were these more then out weighed by his brain snaps? On a penality front I don't think that the Tahs will be able to afford to have both S & L when S returns.
That would have to have been one of the closest games of the season so far. Both teams played till the bucket was empty. In some aspects the Tahs were unlucky to lose. But there is that old saying that the harder you work the luckier you get.
McCuthchen - If that ankle isn't broken then I'm a gorilla.
Polki - lucky he is not on report.
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) & BB - Played well. Both solid with flashes of brillance. Has AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) been working on his kick.
TPN - has his throwing always been that off? I thought 2010 he wasn't to bad and then last year we didn't see him much. One of the calls was a bit harsh, but the others seemed correct.
Foley (B) - I hope he stays on as 15. He is worth it and Oz needs a good fullback as back up for KB (Kurtley Beale).
Thompson - played well for the clan.
Timani - in two minds with him. Did some good things but were these more then out weighed by his brain snaps? On a penality front I don't think that the Tahs will be able to afford to have both S & L when S returns.
That would have to have been one of the closest games of the season so far. Both teams played till the bucket was empty. In some aspects the Tahs were unlucky to lose. But there is that old saying that the harder you work the luckier you get.
So presumably Cutch is gone for the season.
Presumably he drops out of the squad of 30 and we can bring someone else in?
Anyone have any idea what options are available?
The other question is what to do with our inside backs. Hangers has been playing well, but I feel like we're shooting ourselves in the foot by not having Carter in the starting side. He's one of our best players.
I think Foley has done enough to stay at 15.
We could start Hangers at 10, Barnes at 12 and give Carter a go at 13 in the place of Horne. His form really hasn't been great. We could also give Kingston a rest and give Horne a go on the wing.
If Carter does start from the bench, I really feel like he needs to play at least a half (particularly if we're persisting with a 4-3 split). At half time, whoever is performing worst in the backline could come off. If Hangers comes off, Barnes goes to 10, Carter to 12. Barnes comes off, Carter to 12. Horne comes off, Carter to 13. Winger off, Carter to 13, Horne to wing. Foley off, Barnes to 15 and Carter to 12.
At the same time, as soon as Sitaleki Timani is back and fit, we surely have to move to a 5-2 split and have a bench of Ryan, Ulugia, Timani, Jenkins, and Timani.
Anyone heard anything about Elsom's progress (if any?)
Presumably he drops out of the squad of 30 and we can bring someone else in?
Anyone have any idea what options are available?
The other question is what to do with our inside backs. Hangers has been playing well, but I feel like we're shooting ourselves in the foot by not having Carter in the starting side. He's one of our best players.
I think Foley has done enough to stay at 15.
We could start Hangers at 10, Barnes at 12 and give Carter a go at 13 in the place of Horne. His form really hasn't been great. We could also give Kingston a rest and give Horne a go on the wing.
If Carter does start from the bench, I really feel like he needs to play at least a half (particularly if we're persisting with a 4-3 split). At half time, whoever is performing worst in the backline could come off. If Hangers comes off, Barnes goes to 10, Carter to 12. Barnes comes off, Carter to 12. Horne comes off, Carter to 13. Winger off, Carter to 13, Horne to wing. Foley off, Barnes to 15 and Carter to 12.
At the same time, as soon as Sitaleki Timani is back and fit, we surely have to move to a 5-2 split and have a bench of Ryan, Ulugia, Timani, Jenkins, and Timani.
Anyone heard anything about Elsom's progress (if any?)
suckerforred
Chilla Wilson (44)
Thinking first thing to try would be straight swap with Horne, i.e. Hangers 10, BB 12, Carter 13. Horne has been struggling this year. Why?
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Suckerforered you overlook an important fact: he would be close to having played more games in a row this year than any other. His reputation may be all hype: no one knows because he has never been in a position to produce. People whose judgments i respect, on here, have a wrap on him so Im prepared to leave the jusry deliberating in deference to their impressions. It is undoubted that for many unrelated reasons good schoolboys dont always step up.
This is the Tah problem - they put too many eggs in too few baskets. They dont play percetnages either on or off the field.
Ex A - Rocky Elsom - captain - hasnt played a game: will he play a game - low percetnage gamble on a player towards the end of his career
Ex B - Mowen - let go for Rocky - going Ok with Brumbies as cpatain: would have been very handy at the Tahs 4 games in
Ex C - Palu - injury prone ? past it: more reason not have let Mowen go
Ex D - Dean Mumm - surely he is keeping a good player out of the side? if not NSw rugby is in even bigger trouble than even I suggest.
Carter is too slow for 13: IMO the #1 test of a 13 is that he can beat a man on the outside - even if he never does it in a game he has to be able to
After finding myself actually going for the Tahs last night (despite picking against them) I realise I am not over them - they're like an old girlfriend I cant get out of my system...time for one more
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