Blue
Andrew Slack (58)
So you say playing in Japan can't be why they are injured?
Waratahs 2016
- Thread starter Hugh Jarse
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So you say playing in Japan can't be why they are injured?
Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
The month will give Foley an enforced break and as long as he is brought back slowly to regain match fitness then I think we'll see a great season from him. In the meantime Beale will tear it up and Horwitz will grab his opportunity with both hands.
Tough times for the selectors in week 5, I predict.
dru
Tim Horan (67)
Man, I dont disagree. And I definitely think this impacts SA teams more than NZ and Aus. I also wonder about the SA franchises at altitude. Provides something of a home advantage for the game, but altitude slows recovery.
In terms of Pollard/Bulls though, he returned with niggles that had the staff building others into 10 and VC while they waited for a recovered Pollard. Sort of puts them ahead of the game now that he is really out. No change. Starting squad looks the same. Yes an injured Pollard decreases the quality of the team. But not anywhere near as much as it might have.
Bulls will be OK I think.
Gnostic
Mark Ella (57)
I'm pretty disappointed that two key areas that the Tahs fell over in last year and with a bit of luck scaped by in for the title in 2014, haven't been addressed at all in 2016.
The Scrum - it is pretty woeful that what Ladesma was able to achieve last year with the same personnel bar Kepu (who missed a few games) has been totally undone. I am left wondering if Cam Blades is as good as Andrew at forwards coaching, which is to say very poor. I must also say I was warned pre-Christmas by a long time Blues supporter who had a belly laugh when I asked him about Ta'avao as THP. Bastard was gasping for air he laughed so hard. I must say I don't share his mirth but if he is Ben Robinson's idea of a great prop it is no wonder Ben has fallen so far down the tree. On so many engagements Ta'avao's legs were straight back, he was over extended by a long long way. A humiliating season ahead for the Tahs in this regard, and about to get worse with TPN breaking himself again, with his suicide tackle technique. If Roach is third hooker again without Kepu to hold the TH side, somebody will get hurt.
The lineout - Mumm is not a 2nd row starter. Couple it with the throwing of TPN and Latu and they are never going to dominate (though Moore had an off night tonight) and its always a gamble on their own ball.
I think their defensive system will be too much for the rest of the Australian conference, but they will be lucky to get mid table with all the NZ side IMO on form ranking well above them on what I've seen even this early in the season.
The Scrum - it is pretty woeful that what Ladesma was able to achieve last year with the same personnel bar Kepu (who missed a few games) has been totally undone. I am left wondering if Cam Blades is as good as Andrew at forwards coaching, which is to say very poor. I must also say I was warned pre-Christmas by a long time Blues supporter who had a belly laugh when I asked him about Ta'avao as THP. Bastard was gasping for air he laughed so hard. I must say I don't share his mirth but if he is Ben Robinson's idea of a great prop it is no wonder Ben has fallen so far down the tree. On so many engagements Ta'avao's legs were straight back, he was over extended by a long long way. A humiliating season ahead for the Tahs in this regard, and about to get worse with TPN breaking himself again, with his suicide tackle technique. If Roach is third hooker again without Kepu to hold the TH side, somebody will get hurt.
The lineout - Mumm is not a 2nd row starter. Couple it with the throwing of TPN and Latu and they are never going to dominate (though Moore had an off night tonight) and its always a gamble on their own ball.
I think their defensive system will be too much for the rest of the Australian conference, but they will be lucky to get mid table with all the NZ side IMO on form ranking well above them on what I've seen even this early in the season.
T
TOCC
Guest
Hegarty: possibly ACL
TPN: possible fractured arm
Horne: knee injury
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
TPN: possible fractured arm
Horne: knee injury
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Didn't see the game (mercy) but Ta'avao's issue is similar to Paddy's - feet too far back when the pressure goes on, straight legs, nowhere to go but down. Talking to Blades at the GAGR Xmas drinks he noted this issue, but now Ryan is at LHP and seemingly struggling still. Hard to know if anything was done.
I'm no expert but it seems inconceivable that such a fundamental flaw is able to persist in a player up to this level.
Gnostic
Mark Ella (57)
Thanks Cyclo. My Blues "mate" who was a prop/hooker in NZ said exactly that about Ta'avao and that is why I saw it on his setups, along with Paddy. The fact that Blades saw it and it is still happening and was against the Reds last week as well doesn't say much for his training, his ability to convey said critique to players or the ability of the players to apprehend the information from the coaches (or all of these points). The fact that this issue was raised as a concern about Ta'avao before he came to the Tahs is doubly concerning.
Latu cited for a punch on To'omua in the big melee.
I thought the Tahs put in a pretty good performance last night but the serious injuries and suspension will be very costly.
Our scrum is a huge worry but I also think we've played two of the better scrummaging teams so far. We'll certainly be in the bottom third of scrums but I think we'll hold our own against more sides than not.
I thought the Tahs put in a pretty good performance last night but the serious injuries and suspension will be very costly.
Our scrum is a huge worry but I also think we've played two of the better scrummaging teams so far. We'll certainly be in the bottom third of scrums but I think we'll hold our own against more sides than not.
T
TOCC
Guest
From Jamie Pandaram
Major blows for Waratahs; Bryce Hegarty ACL out for season, TPN broken wrist prob 8 weeks, Horne knee, unknown when he could return
Latu cited, I reckon gone for a at least few weeks if To'omua's face is anything to go by.
Skelton received a citing warning last week and a yellow card this week, needs to clean up his act or he will also receive a suspension.
Major blows for Waratahs; Bryce Hegarty ACL out for season, TPN broken wrist prob 8 weeks, Horne knee, unknown when he could return
Latu cited, I reckon gone for a at least few weeks if To'omua's face is anything to go by.
Skelton received a citing warning last week and a yellow card this week, needs to clean up his act or he will also receive a suspension.
You should do alright against the Bye next week though their props play like there myths.Tats with no THPs that can scrum, no hookers now, a LHP that was a THP but struggling with both sides, and a LHP on the decline.
Next round should be fun.
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