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Waratahs 2020

Froggy

Froggy

Nicholas Shehadie (39)
Watched Roets in Shute Shield yesterday, whoever signed him must have only met him (he is a massive human), but not seen him play, he's not even a decent Shute Shield player. Walks around most of the time, and with the ball seems to just fall into the defence, certainly doesn't hit the line with any impact, just relies on his size, which was probably enough at junior levels.
 
Blackadder

Blackadder

Desmond Connor (43)
'Tattsy'TaylorFan1 said:
Try and keep Chris Talakai and Vui for next year as tighthead props. They might not want to stay given the way they've been treated this year (no game time) and Vui's main mentor from u20s upwards, Cronny, is leaving.



It's been nothing short of a disgrace the way that the bench has been used all year. Kepu playing 75-80 minutes every week is just a joke. I don't care if they think Talakai or Vui isn't ready, get them out there at the 50 minute mark. Same with every other substitute why have a bench if they're not going to get used????
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Because Gibson won't admit that he is wrong. He didn't buy experienced forwards with Robertson out and Ryan leaving, then didn't trust the inexperienced players to get the job done.
 
VassMan

VassMan

Darby Loudon (17)
Some decent tightheads to try recruit could be Michael Ala'alatoa, Tyrel Lomax and Angus Ta'avao. My understanding is that they've all been in the Tahs system in the past?
 
'Tattsy'TaylorFan1

'Tattsy'TaylorFan1

Ward Prentice (10)
I don't think that the front row is actually that much of an issue next year, if and only if, they can hang onto Talakai and Vui to play tighthead. Robertson, Johnson-Holmes and O'Connor are all class acts and right now I rate Robertson and HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) as better rugby players than Kepu.
I know it's harsh on a great servant of our game but right now I think that Robertson is a better 5th prop option for the Wallabies at the World Cup than Kepu. His ball carry and clean out is streets ahead of Kepu now, footwork before contact is exceptional, and he doesn't try stupid offloads. How many times has Kepu fumbled or lost the ball this year? Too many times.
 
Brumby Runner

Brumby Runner

Jason Little (69)
VassMan said:
Some decent tightheads to try recruit could be Michael Ala'alatoa, Tyrel Lomax and Angus Ta'avao. My understanding is that they've all been in the Tahs system in the past?
Click to expand...

Michael A and Angus T have certainly been in the Tahs system, but neither was apparently valued. Tyrel Lomax was with the Brumbies prior to leaving for NZ, as far back as when he was in the U20s. Not sure that he was ever in the Tahs system.

EDIT : Right at this moment, I can't see any of them being enticed to move to the Tahs. All three are knocking on the door of All Blacks selection, and are pretty much established as starters with their respective Super Rugby teams.

Edit No 2 : What about someone like Cameron Orr, currently with the Force? Came through the Tahs Academy and seems to be developing quite well. While on the Force, as much as I'd dislike seeing it, why not also consider Harry Lloyd, ex Brumbies system player now at the Force. Best young LHP prospect going round atm.
 
VassMan

VassMan

Darby Loudon (17)
Yeah I doubt any of them will come back, was more of a comment that we've lost some talent to across the ditch at THP. I've liked what I've seen of Talakai and Vui, but more depth will be needed at 3.
 
Brumby Runner

Brumby Runner

Jason Little (69)
Leaving myself open here to accusations of being a troll, but I'd really like to see Beale move back overseas. When he goes, I will be able to at least support the Tahs against international sides in Super Rugby again.
 
Blackadder

Blackadder

Desmond Connor (43)
'Tattsy'TaylorFan1 said:
I don't think that the front row is actually that much of an issue next year, if and only if, they can hang onto Talakai and Vui to play tighthead. Robertson, Johnson-Holmes and O'Connor are all class acts and right now I rate Robertson and HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) as better rugby players than Kepu.

I know it's harsh on a great servant of our game but right now I think that Robertson is a better 5th prop option for the Wallabies at the World Cup than Kepu. His ball carry and clean out is streets ahead of Kepu now, footwork before contact is exceptional, and he doesn't try stupid offloads. How many times has Kepu fumbled or lost the ball this year? Too many times.
Click to expand...

Vui is rubbish at the set piece and hasn't had a look in. O'Connor has his struggles but may improve. None of the players you have mentioned are class acts. They are inexperienced and a pack containing all those players would struggle.

Robertson got dropped from the wallabies because he lacked the size and grunt to match it against the bigger props. I like him and I rate him but he should remain at one. Having him and HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) in the run on would be a mistake.

Kepu has carried the Tahs pack for 2 years. He has had some shockers this year but so has just about every player at the Tahs.
 
Silverado

Silverado

Dick Tooth (41)
Brumby Runner said:
Michael A and Angus T have certainly been in the Tahs system, but neither was apparently valued. Tyrel Lomax was with the Brumbies prior to leaving for NZ, as far back as when he was in the U20s. Not sure that he was ever in the Tahs system.

EDIT : Right at this moment, I can't see any of them being enticed to move to the Tahs. All three are knocking on the door of All Blacks selection, and are pretty much established as starters with their respective Super Rugby teams.

Edit No 2 : What about someone like Cameron Orr, currently with the Force? Came through the Tahs Academy and seems to be developing quite well. While on the Force, as much as I'd dislike seeing it, why not also consider Harry Lloyd, ex Brumbies system player now at the Force. Best young LHP prospect going round atm.
Click to expand...
Yeah we all know you get hard by Lloyd. Orr Ok but no world beater *neither is Lloyd
Brumby Runner said:
Leaving myself open here to accusations of being a troll, but I'd really like to see Beale move back overseas. When he goes, I will be able to at least support the Tahs against international sides in Super Rugby again.
Click to expand...
You have been considered a troll well before this post
 
Blackadder

Blackadder

Desmond Connor (43)
Brumby Runner said:
Michael A and Angus T have certainly been in the Tahs system, but neither was apparently valued. Tyrel Lomax was with the Brumbies prior to leaving for NZ, as far back as when he was in the U20s. Not sure that he was ever in the Tahs system.



EDIT : Right at this moment, I can't see any of them being enticed to move to the Tahs. All three are knocking on the door of All Blacks selection, and are pretty much established as starters with their respective Super Rugby teams.



Edit No 2 : What about someone like Cameron Orr, currently with the Force? Came through the Tahs Academy and seems to be developing quite well. While on the Force, as much as I'd dislike seeing it, why not also consider Harry Lloyd, ex Brumbies system player now at the Force. Best young LHP prospect going round atm.
Click to expand...

I would love Orr at the Tahs. Maybe he can be brought back to the Tahs.

Problem is how much is twiggy comp paying him??
 
Silverado

Silverado

Dick Tooth (41)
Blackadder said:
Vui is rubbish at the set piece and hasn't had a look in. O'Connor has his struggles but may improve. None of the players you have mentioned are class acts. They are inexperienced and a pack containing all those players would struggle.

Robertson got dropped from the wallabies because he lacked the size and grunt to match it against the bigger props. I like him and I rate him but he should remain at one. Having him and HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) in the run on would be a mistake.

Kepu has carried the Tahs pack for 2 years. He has had some shockers this year but so has just about every player at the Tahs.
Click to expand...
Robertson and HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) are both THPs who changed back to LHP to accommodate the team needs. I think the front row is not our biggest concern
 
Gnostic

Gnostic

Mark Ella (57)
The biggest problem the Tahs will have after Kepu goes is that not a single forward in the pack is able to make any metres in tight except him. The Tahs at one stage in the second half against the Jagurares had 80% of the ball and did nothing with it.

I have been hoping to see the back of Beale for years, since well before the Patston matter, because simply he has only ever delivered in fits and starts. A single stat from the Jaguares game should spell it out, he made less metres running from full back, against a team with a fairly regular long kicking game, than Hooper did from Flanker. His is perhaps the most over rated player Australian Rugby has maintained long term.

I cannot see much improvement next year, unless Gibson discards the "workrate" backrow and recruits significantly to change the dynamic. One of the real ironies I saw with this "workrate" backrow is the amount of times the Tahs were isolated and turned over and the fact they failed to slow or compete effectively at the breakdown. Surely the light quick backrow is designed to make sure that no matter how wide you go forwards can secure the ensuing ruck ball, and also allow defending rucks to be slowed and contested. It just has not happened on a majority of occasions. This is an utter failure of the complete squad design.
 
Derpus

Derpus

Nathan Sharpe (72)
Gnostic, that's a pretty decent analysis although i disagree about Beale. I think he's delivered plenty, more than many current and past Wallabies have.

I too noticed how shit the ruck work was from the Tahs with their mobile pack.

Regarding squad composition, i think a lot of it is just 'well, this is what we have to work with'. Who has been available to be recruited that would have added weight to the pack recently? Samu last year? i guess. But he's not huge.

If you look at who we've lost and when, we just haven't had the options:
  • TPN leaving left us with Fitzpatrick because Latu couldn't get his head right.
  • Palu leaving left us with Wells/Holloway.
  • Douglas, Skelton and Jackpot all left and were replaced with Simmons, Hanigan and Enever.
  • Even Dennis was a better ball carrier than Hanigan is.
Can you identify big bodies that were available for recruitment over the last two years to replace those 6 key forwards?
 
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