mjw
Larry Dwyer (12)
Has anyone confirmed that Lachie Turner has been re-signed? These past two years haven't been good for him.
Waratahs 2014
- Thread starter fatprop
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Langthorne
Phil Hardcastle (33)
So what do we need?
A decent kicker (does Cam Crawford kick? I'm sure he'd be great if he did). Another hooker (Ulugia was a very good back up, but I imagine he'll be paid much better in France that what is on offer, so good luck to him)
If Beale does come back, I'd really prefer he started out as the back up 10/12, but this is all a big if.
A decent kicker (does Cam Crawford kick? I'm sure he'd be great if he did). Another hooker (Ulugia was a very good back up, but I imagine he'll be paid much better in France that what is on offer, so good luck to him)
If Beale does come back, I'd really prefer he started out as the back up 10/12, but this is all a big if.
Foley, Beale and McKibbin all need to desperately work on their kicking.
You'd imagine that those three will share the kicking duties because there are unlikely to be any other candidates.
Whilst we won a couple of games on the strength of late goals this season we also lost three games (Crusaders, Rebels and Reds) and would have made the finals with a more reliable goal kicker.
Finding another hooker is crucial. The case for Hugh Roach to get at least an EPS spot is very strong now but I really wouldn't feel comfortable starting the season with Luke Holmes as the second string hooker and Roach as the third.
You'd imagine that those three will share the kicking duties because there are unlikely to be any other candidates.
Whilst we won a couple of games on the strength of late goals this season we also lost three games (Crusaders, Rebels and Reds) and would have made the finals with a more reliable goal kicker.
Finding another hooker is crucial. The case for Hugh Roach to get at least an EPS spot is very strong now but I really wouldn't feel comfortable starting the season with Luke Holmes as the second string hooker and Roach as the third.
southsider
Arch Winning (36)
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Could someone explain to me how the players coming to the Tahs in 2014 address the issues that remain from 2013?
I think we're marching sideways but I dont claim to be on top of the abilities of all those likely to be playing in the side next year.
I think we're marching sideways but I dont claim to be on top of the abilities of all those likely to be playing in the side next year.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Done
Scrubber2050
Mark Ella (57)
Has Matt Lucas signed ??
Bowside
Peter Johnson (47)
I find it fascinating that Jono Lance signed with the Tahs for next season.
He is a guy coming into the prime of his career who was pretty much a nailed on starter at the reds. There is a bit of full back talent coming through the system in QLD but no one that will be ready to play super rugby until 2015.
At the tahs he will have much more competition for a starting spot. And when everyone is fit he is effectively injury cover.
He is a guy coming into the prime of his career who was pretty much a nailed on starter at the reds. There is a bit of full back talent coming through the system in QLD but no one that will be ready to play super rugby until 2015.
At the tahs he will have much more competition for a starting spot. And when everyone is fit he is effectively injury cover.
Scrubber2050
Mark Ella (57)
Bowside, I think you are right on the money re the Tahs move but he hasn't really nailed that spot at the Reds - think he is seen as a great cover for several spots, probably the same as Ben Lucas
Langthorne
Phil Hardcastle (33)
The first question is the abilities of the recruits. I don't know about Talalelei Grey, but I hope he is a replacement for Palu. Phipps is not a huge improvement on the incumbents. Jono Lance - what positions does he play? What are his kicking abilities? There are probably guys around who could tell us.
The other thing is that many of the problems that need addressing are a question of training, so I presume (hope) Cheika is addressing them.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
1. Robinson
2. Polota-Nau
3. Kepu
4. Douglas
5. Skelton
6. Dennis
7. Hooper
8. Palu
9. Phipps
10. Foley
11. Crawford
12. Horne
13. Ashley-Cooper
14. Folau
15. Beale
16. Roach?
17. Tilse?
18. Ryan
19. Atkins/Holloway?
20. Gray
21. Lucas
22. Lance
23. Betham
We need a hooker, loosehead prop (time to cut Tilse and give someone else a shot?) and a lock (not impressed by Atkins and Peterson hasn't done anything).
2. Polota-Nau
3. Kepu
4. Douglas
5. Skelton
6. Dennis
7. Hooper
8. Palu
9. Phipps
10. Foley
11. Crawford
12. Horne
13. Ashley-Cooper
14. Folau
15. Beale
16. Roach?
17. Tilse?
18. Ryan
19. Atkins/Holloway?
20. Gray
21. Lucas
22. Lance
23. Betham
We need a hooker, loosehead prop (time to cut Tilse and give someone else a shot?) and a lock (not impressed by Atkins and Peterson hasn't done anything).
RoffsChoice
Jim Lenehan (48)
Langthorne
Phil Hardcastle (33)
I think he is too light weight. I guess Dennis could move to lock in an emergency though.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
SMH (in the app version) is reporting that Benji is not driven by money:
"he will likely join either the Auckland Blues or the NSW Waratahs. He could not be accused of greed – he would earn more by staying where he is."
So the ARU top up may well not be a factor at all.
He has also said, however, that growing up his dream was to play for the ABs.
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"he will likely join either the Auckland Blues or the NSW Waratahs. He could not be accused of greed – he would earn more by staying where he is."
So the ARU top up may well not be a factor at all.
He has also said, however, that growing up his dream was to play for the ABs.
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^ Too small,
I think Cheika's recruitment will be really interesting, with the two bench prop rule Tilse will be important
Turner may also be handy as 13 cover and cheap for a season
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Who was that lock who played against the Force recently? Was it Coleman from Parramatta? He looked good.
Atkins is a solid unit, he looked good against the Lions and does the grunt work (tackling and pushing and stuff)
Eyes and Ears
Bob Davidson (42)
Atkins started. Coleman was on bench.
I haven't seen Tala Grey play much in the last couple of years in France but I am an Easts fan and watched him play many times for Easts. I assume he's improved a fair bit since then (he was only quite young) and I think he'll be a solid player for the Tahs. Currently I'd think he's more likely to be a bench player initially but he should be in the matchday 23. I think he's a good recruit. He's pretty physical and should cover 6 and 8 well.
I think Phipps is going to be a key signing for the Tahs. I think he will be a significant improvement on McKibbin and arguably halfback is about the Tahs weakest position.
Jono Lance is a good rugby player who definitely fits the mold of a utility player at this point.
Overall I think Cheika's recruitment is focusing on players he considers to be good rugby players who are strong defenders, ball runners and have good skills. I figure he's looking for players that have the basic template for what he's looking for in a rugby player and plenty of room for Cheika to train to play the way he wants them to.
He wants guys that are keen to sign up to the way he does things and play the way he wants.
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