Waratahs 2014

[wamberal]

Tolu Latu said his family came to Oz when he was 2; he also said that he will now have to give up his job as a forklift driver.
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What is he studying, Forkliftology?

 

[Braveheart81]

So Hodge keeps his place?

I'm pretty sure Hodge was signed for two years at the end of 2012.

Hopefully he stays fit this season and at least pressures the guys ahead of him for game time.

 

[Lindommer]

Which makes retaining Chapman and (hopefully) signing Coleman imperative.

Well done on the Chapman front, Cheika, now get to work signing up this Coleman kid.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

What is he studying, Forkliftology?

Bachelor of Logistics (Transport and Distribution)

 

[boyo]

What is he studying, Forkliftology?

He must find that to be uplifting.

Coat.

 

[boyo]

But there's more (no steak knives):-

His job is very up and down.

 

[Lee Grant]

There is a blog on Cheika's presser here:

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/waratahs-name-2014-super-rugby-squad/

 

[#1 Tah]

Peter Betham has been brought into the Wallabies squad

 

[Hugh Jarse]

<snip>
Tolu Latu said his family came to Oz when he was 2; <snip>

Pretty sure that Tolu was part of the Canterbury JRU/Southern Districts Age group rep team that was very successful in the Juniors Comps and at State Champs as that cohort developed.

That Hobbits Rep team also included Waldo Wessels and Apo Latinopulu as well IIRC.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Beale is just as good as McKibbon when it comes to goalkicking, and Foley is showing good progress. I don't think you're in that much trouble on the goalkicking front.

 

[p.Tah]

Beale attending more grassroots rugby during his off season. Great to see.

 

[TOCC]

So Tolu Latu played in the centres until he started at Uni, whats his technical ability in the scrum and line-out like? He has only been playing in the front row for 2 years, surely it can't be that good...

 

[Zander]

Well he's not going to get exposed in the set-piece playing for Uni that's for sure.

 

[Caputo]

In this thread and spilt over to the Rebels 2014, there seems an uber love for David Horwitz. He failed to make the Aus 20 behind a WA boy and North Coast now in Bris. Is he a once in generation player or is there something to with hording of the talent.

I thought NSW are stacked at Fly Half

QLD were better for when the Force did their initial raid only 1-2 were missed in QLD.

Isn't talent like a bus the next set of schoolboy talent will be through in 12 months

 

[Lindommer]

There'd be many here and elsewhere who'd disagree Queensland were the better for the Force raiding their playing stocks in 2005. You out there, formeropenside?

 

[Lee Grant]

In this thread and spilt over to the Rebels 2014, there seems an uber love for David Horwitz. He failed to make the Aus 20 behind a WA boy and North Coast now in Bris. Is he a once in generation player or is there something to with hording of the talent.

People didn't mention Horwitz because he was one in a generation player: he wasn't.

There were comments about him because he was very good for an 18 y.o. and was already starting first grade for Randwick this year—and he held his place to the end of the season.

The other two were picked ahead of him for U/20s but he was the youngest—and, not quite to the point, but the ones that went to France did not shine.

Horwitz performed well in two Sydney Academy games and also had a good cameo for the Waratahs on the Argentina tour.

His strength is in the run, especially his side step.

Although he has had success at passing the ball long for outside runners to score, he needs to work on his bread and butter passing, because some of them are not sympathetic.

He also needs to improve his exit kicking and goal kicking.

It's OK if you're Steve Larkham and aren't a goal kicker but a young flyhalf starting out needs to have "also a goal-kicker" on his CV.
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[wamberal]

I have been impressed with the little that I have seen of Horwitz, he seems to have plenty of poise, I was surprised to learn how young he is.



Totally agree about the goal kicking aspect. Presuming that every 10 should be a great kick out of hand (take note, Foley lovers), then surely that skill should translate to kicking from the spot as well.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I have been impressed with the little that I have seen of Horwitz, he seems to have plenty of poise, I was surprised to learn how young he is.



Totally agree about the goal kicking aspect. Presuming that every 10 should be a great kick out of hand (take note, Foley lovers), then surely that skill should translate to kicking from the spot as well.

Think with the use of the new antler tee, there won't be any excuse for any player, 10 or not, not to be able kick from the spot.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

The Antler is an impressive bit of kit when I saw the segment on Rugby HQ last Thursday night.

I wouldn't be surprised to see more fatties lining up to fancy themselves as the Goal Kicker for the team.

It looks real simple. It will be interesting to see the sorts of difference it makes once deployed in matches.

 

[wamberal]

All aspiring 10s and 15s should learn to kick the bloody ball. Both feet. All kinds of kicks.


Yes, we love to run the ball. But until, and unless, our forwards dominate the planet, nay, the universe, we need players who can KICK THE BLOODY BALL!!!!