Recent content by inthestands

No surprise that Tom Donnelly has ended up there. Very much in the mould of both Blackadder and Thorn: more substance than flash and he will become a better player than he ever could have where he was. My tip: he'll play more Tests than not in 2012.

Nope - it was Pat. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby/a-world-of-talent/story-e6frey4i-1225862761717

He did go to Africa in the 26, but was out of the 22 until Lyons was injured. Tahs touring team to Africa in 2008 was Backs: Kurtley Beale, Luke Burgess, Matt Carraro, Tom Carter, Sam Harris, Rob Horne, Alfi Mafi, Sam Norton-Knight, Brett Sheehan, Timana Tahu, Lote Tuqiri, Lachie Turner...

Seriously, this Beau Robinson issue is a real bugbear of mine. In 2008, Ewen McKenzie actually had Beau Robinson go back to play for Dubbo in the last round of the competition. He only made it back into the 22 for the semi and final because David Lyons was injured. Pat McCutcheon even travelled...

A common comment on these forums seems to be "I wish we hadn't let him go..." I think we have to realise that NSW simply cannot provide the opportunity to some players and they are forced to leave. For instance, Dan Palmer would never see any game time in NSW as long as Baxter, Robinson and...

Players who were unavailable for the final through injury/U20/etc: Kepu, Polota-Nau, Fitzpatrick, Baxter, Vickerman, Jowitt, Palu, Mowen, McCutcheon, Burgess, Barnes, Mitchell, Horne, Kingston, Halangahu... and it was still two tries all; kicking was the difference...

The best we have played in four years under Robbie was the end of the 2010 Spring Tour. Our backline then was Genia, Cooper, Mitchell, Barnes, Ashley-Cooper, O'Connor, Beale. We have ALL of those players available now... get them playing together, and get them firing! Seriously, no one...

Seriously? I doubt Tuck is even being paid 1c to play for them. He's played for the Woods since he quit soccer at 12yo. He had a season with Wests when he needed to be playing 1sts (for NSW progression in the Academy) but couldn't get a start at TG in front of Bill Young and Rod Moore, but he...

Isn't he about to go under the knife? Would be an interesting move if that's the case...

Assuming Timani is the last piece in the puzzle: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Chris Alcock, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Sitaleki Timani, 4 Dan Vickerman, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau...

The wait on coach is perplexing... the only thing which I guess is good is that only one or two spots in the squad are left, therefore they're not missing out on signings because of the coach. Link didn't get to recruit any of his 2010 squad and still did very well, and whoever coaches next year...

I'm not too worried about the third half, as much as I would be most other positions. I think Pretorius gives them something, I think McKibbin is really strong, but if the best the third stringer can do is deliver to No.10 good ball and make the tackles, then I think that can do. That's all...

Pretorius was also a SA Sevens player in 2007 which qualifies him there.

Ryan - http://www.superxv.com/news/super15_rugby_news.asp?id=24930 Tilse - Can't confirm... but pretty sure Douglas - http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/waratah-kane-douglas-and-shark-luke-douglas-celebrating/story-e6frexnr-1225841633005 Dennis -...

Sorry... just noted them all whenever press releases came out... don't have links to all announcements.