Waratahs 2017
- Thread starter Lindommer
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He was replying to a post on this thread suggesting Robertson was the best tight head prop in Australia. His response has every justification to be on this site.
You omitted a key word, Reg. I don't think anyone was saying he'd the best at anything yet. And prospects are so arguable.
Dalai Ninja
Ward Prentice (10)
To be fair, Pfitzy was talking specifically about scrummaging. We don't know yet if Thor will be a test-quality scrummager. Many a promising prop has fallen down that particular crack. His ball running ability is unquestioned.
Pfitzy
George Gregan (70)
The beauty of scrummaging is it could be "a season" or it could be never - for any of these kids.
Whether he's a better runner of the ball is kind of irrelevant on a site where, universally, our T5 is panned for not doing enough donkey work at ruck time.
Let's see him bring all those elements at a level higher than club rugby before we all start shooting a wad.
T
TOCC
Guest
NRC form is irrelevant now as well?
Ultimately Robertson is technically the better scrummager, has the greater experience and has demonstrated it at a higher level. Prospect wise, Tupou's ball running and explosiveness is on another level to any prop in Australian rugby, and whilst he was part of a dominant NRC scrum he hasn't demonstrated that at Super Rugby level..
It's really just semantics..
Ultimately Robertson is technically the better scrummager, has the greater experience and has demonstrated it at a higher level. Prospect wise, Tupou's ball running and explosiveness is on another level to any prop in Australian rugby, and whilst he was part of a dominant NRC scrum he hasn't demonstrated that at Super Rugby level..
It's really just semantics..
and how many "prospects" @ THP have we said this about?
It is the one position on the field where I would much rather see a strong scrummager selected over the higher workrate unit. We have seen that end in tears too often.
That said, I expect Robertson to get toweled up a few times on the Wobs tour. He is still a fetus in prop years
Scrubber2050
Mark Ella (57)
I just hope he is mentored correctly and brought on slowly.
He has all the physical elements required to be a top, long term THP. Hopefully he has the mental "edge" and the dedication and determination to achieve high levels of rugby.
The greatest challenge for all footballers whether of PI heritage or not is complacency
Pfitzy
George Gregan (70)
Exactly.
Robertson isn't anywhere near Tupou for ball running BUT he has been doing some of that work, and at this stage has the runs on the board.
He has also shown some good work with ball in hand for the Tahs and concentrates on the donkey work.
Tupou's time may come, particularly with Holmes no longer in his way at the Reds. He's got some good minds to grow under including Stiles and that old bloke whose name I've forgotten.
Yep - when you dominate at a young age you haven't necessarily had to work as hard as someone who might be smaller than you.
The Reds have had a shit year to think about, and he should be part of that process. While we're diverting this into a Reds thread: the one thing they need to be wary of at Ballymore is this "dominant young kid at club level" practice that has seen a few crash and burn.
Its good to have some experience back there.
Scrubber2050
Mark Ella (57)
Last word from me on this reds site.
Will look forward to Round 9 when Reds play the Tahs. Thor should definitely be the starting THP prop by then, meaning a direct comparison between Robertson and Thor can be made. Slipper and Keps should equal each other out so it will be interesting.
As always, time will tell.
Will look forward to Round 9 when Reds play the Tahs. Thor should definitely be the starting THP prop by then, meaning a direct comparison between Robertson and Thor can be made. Slipper and Keps should equal each other out so it will be interesting.
As always, time will tell.
Eyes and Ears
Bob Davidson (42)
How does Opeti Helu compare to the 2014 version of Tupou? He appears to be a very powerful ball runner as well. Perhaps bigger but not as explosive.
WorkingClassRugger
David Codey (61)
From what I can find he's touted at 127kg. He's a powerful alright but as you suggest not nearly as explosive in contact as Tupou at the same stage. Well, at least that's what I can tell from his highlights reels. Still if we can somehow keep hold of him he has the potential to develop into a very similar player as Shembeckler Vui seems to be. Which actually is bloody good.
Comparing a player to Tupou is a little unfair. At least in my opinion. I consider Tupou a bit of a freak athlete in many ways. I haven't seen a young footballer quite as explosive as him in my time playing and watching the game.
I am actually a little surprised that during all the hype surrounding his initial break out on YouTube that he wasn't offered scholarships to play AF.
amirite
Chilla Wilson (44)
I know we all shit on the Tahs for letting guys go (Ala'alatoa), but can we all agree now this was the right call.
The article is hilarious in retrospect, and whilst he's not an awful player he honestly does not stand out at ITM Cup level. Whoever made the call is 100% vindicated.
http://www.rugbynews.net.au/why-australian-rugby-were-mad-to-let-ben-volavola-leave/
The article is hilarious in retrospect, and whilst he's not an awful player he honestly does not stand out at ITM Cup level. Whoever made the call is 100% vindicated.
http://www.rugbynews.net.au/why-australian-rugby-were-mad-to-let-ben-volavola-leave/
Former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Jack Dempsey has re-signed with the Tahs for two more years.
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
1. Ryan
2. Latu
3. Kepu
4. Skelton
5. Mumm
6. Dempsey
7. Hooper
8. Holloway
9. Phipps
10. Foley
11. Robinson
12. Simone
13. Folau
14.Horne Naiyaravoro
15. Kellaway
Change my mind on starting 15 for Tahs after ba ba's game.
2. Latu
3. Kepu
4. Skelton
5. Mumm
6. Dempsey
7. Hooper
8. Holloway
9. Phipps
10. Foley
11. Robinson
12. Simone
13. Folau
14.
15. Kellaway
Change my mind on starting 15 for Tahs after ba ba's game.
Micheal
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
Horne will undoubtedly start somewhere in the backline. Perhaps Simone will be a bench option until he forces his way into the XV with form (if he does).
Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
Naiyaravoro was very very impressive against some absolutely piss-poor defence. But last night the big T was Savea on steroids. (No not literally!)
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