Waratahs get their s**t together

[ugly ref]

A lot of us Kiwis will always think of Euan MacKenzie of that big slug of a guy who was reasonable tight-head in his day.

But you don't get promoted from the squad to assistant at Brumbies to Wallabies forward coach to NSW coach unless you've got the smarts, and my Aussie mates (some who played Sydney club footy with him) say he is the next McQueen.

Already at the Tahs you see his influence by poaching not just Harrison but Vickerman. Vickerman is going to be one of their stars for the next 5 years, he has a great rugby brain.

If they can get Giteau as well NSW are well on their way to having some good seasons finally in the Super 12. The pack of Dunning, Freier, Elsom Tawake Lyons 2 new locks are all young and you can bet they'll improve by leaps and bounds when Uncle Ewan gets his hands on them.

Add the backs Rogers, Gray Whittaker, Tuqiri, Burke, Staniforth.

I know this Waratah's have never lived up to there billing but ugly says if you can get some odds on these guys now, they'll be long and worth a punt.

Ugly

[3me]

Well, if you go back to this year's S12 when the Reds play the Tahs.

The Tahs looked good on the paper and I must admit that their forward pack on that match were quite strong especially the mauling part which lead the Tahs' penalty try. For some reasons, the Reds won that match even though our forwards on form were crap coming after a huge loss by the Blues.  

All, I'm saying is that the Tahs might look good on paper but there is always a question mark over their mental ability could cope under enormous pressures.  

[Geeves]

Yep the T'ahs appear to be recruiting well but before you get carried away don't be surprised if they don't get Tuqiri in particular as QLD is running a huge campaign to get him back in a maroon jumper.

A few questions about the latest signed 27 out of 32 squad though:
http://rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2003/07/01/1056825394469.html

CURRENT SIGNED WARATAHS FOR 2004: Alastair Baxter, Shaun Berne, Al Campbell, Brendan Cannon, Tim Clark, Matt Dunning, Rocky Elsom, Adam Freier, Nathan Grey, Gareth Hardy, Justin Harrison, Omar Hassanein, Matt Hodgson, Simon Kasprowicz, Ryan McGoldrick, Patricio Noriega, Mat Rogers, Paul Sheedy, Scott Staniforth, Milton Thaiday, Lei Tomiki, Elia Tuqiri, Morgan Turinui, Daniel Vickerman, Phil Waugh, Jono West, Chris Whitaker.


There is no mention of Bowman and he is probably not going to be wanted he might find himself playing for ACT which is hemoraging players faster than the QLD gov can spend money.  As NSW have kept West and picked up Harrison from ACT as well.  If Bowman goes to ACT I think it would really improve his game.

While with Duncan McRae playing in England they are also needing a quality play maker and they are chasing the U21 playmaker MacKay who was named in the IRB dream team http://www.irbu21.com/news/290603/fifteen.cfm  as Giteau is expected to stay in ACT.

It will also be interesting to see if Staniforth can force himself back into the run on side or will Elia Tuqiri beat him to the wing spot.  While Mortlock is yet unconfirmed with ACT both QLD and NSW are hunting after is autograph as well. QLD want him if they can't get Tuqiri as Herbert is going to France next year.

While Lyons is also unsigned and I know QLD has him on the 'potential to poach list' depending upon Cockbain's decision.

While Burke hasn't signed with NSW yet I don't think he would move so thats 28 signed members.

The other question is who could be going to replace Whitaker if he has to retire?  

But NSW must never forget the fact that they are NSW bunnies