Halangahu emerges from University with honours
Roar Pro
By mudskipper, 22 Sep 2008 The Crowd is a Roar Pro
Sydney University and Randwick played in the Shute Shield grand final in Sydney on Saturday. While Randwick fielded an impressive list of Super 14 players and Wallabies, University had a few notable players of their own.
In unusually warm September conditions, University quickly took charge and by the end of the first half dominated the match.
The player that stood out on the day was young flyhalf Daniel Halangahu for Sydney University. Halangahu’s decision-making was lucid and well executed. He seems to have really come of age as a flyhalf.
He positioned himself well, giving himself time to either kick or run, and directed University’s backs with clear confident communication that had University going forward.
Fellow team-mate Kurtley Beale will have to good fight on his hands to secure the Waratahs flyhalf starting jersey next season now that Halangahu is showing signs of maturing as a player with vision. Whilst ‘Tahs coach Chris Hickey is searching the globe for locks, he now knows at least he has the keys, two true flyhalf choices for next year’s Super 14.
Halangahu missed most of the 2008 Super 14 season due to injury, and I secretly suspect that his time on the sidelines was spent in the ‘Tahs library studying every Daniel Carter play on tape.
He never looked rushed, his manner was controlled and he set the pace of the match.
While Randwick on paper looked like the superior team they lacked dominance in the two most important match-winning positions: at flyhalf and open-side flanker.
University were fortunate to have the return of Wallabies Phil Waugh at 7, however, Halangahu was the real difference. In a post-match interview, Waratahs captain Phil Waugh praised Halangahu’s control of the game that delivered University’s fourth consecutive Shute Shield.
It seems Halangahu has emerged from University this season with a degree in Flyhalf Rugby. Now can he apply his newfound self-assurance to the Waratahs next year?
Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.
Do you have what it takes to become a sports writer? Write for the roar
Rugby Union articles
- Will Super Rugby crowds continue their slide? (201)
- Will South African rugby force a Super 21 by 2018? (173)
- The real story of how John O’Neill turned Manchester City down (70)
- Dan Parks and the unsolved questions of expat rugby (65)
- Australian teams at Super disadvantage (58)
- Pocock set to be named new Force skipper (56)
- Can the ‘Tahs win the battle after losing the Waugh? (51)
- France turns to Parra and Trinh-Duc
- Rebels look to lift for formidable Blues in rugby trial
- Mr Fix-It Lucas wants to nail down No.10
- Force roost loses ‘Mother Hen’ Sharpe
- Victory beat Mariners with Kewell winner
- Waratahs romp to 83-5 trial win over Samoa A
- Quade Cooper’s return to the Reds goes up a gear
- Wales show Southern Hemisphere how to play running rugby (29)
- What opening matches of Six Nations taught us (19)
- Will Super Rugby crowds continue their slide? (202)
- Clinical Chiefs cost rusty Rebels in Corio (9)
- Six Nations shows rugby is a parochial game at heart (5)
- Goose’s Super Rugby up-and-comer XV for 2012 (29)
- What does the future hold for the Six Nations (50)
- Explore:
Terry Kidd said | September 22nd 2008 @ 9:11am | Report comment
Tis good to see that Halangahu has made good gains in his game. I saw him at Ballymore for Aust A against Fiji and thought that he had a good game and had improved. Yes, KB may have a struggle. I’m just flying a kite here but what do other Roarers think of a possible Halangahu-Beale 10 & 12 mix a little like Giteau-Barnes? Who would wear 10 and who would wear 12? Would they interchange during games?
mudskipper said | September 22nd 2008 @ 9:40am | Report comment
Terry…Beale’s defence will need to improve for 12 but may be an option worth trailing…I guess it depends on what Hickey chooses to do with Timana Tahu. I think Deans would prefer to see Tahu grow as a 12. But with Halangahu maturing a a play maker the Waratahs will have a good set of backs with, Burgess, Beale, Halangahu, Horne, Tuqiri, Turner and Norton-Knight. I’m sure this gives Hickey some confidence.
The worry for Hickey is the dwindling Waratahs forward pack with the loss over just one year of Kannar, Vickerman, Lyons and Elsom. The new ARU foreign player policy may help out here.
Terry Kidd said | September 22nd 2008 @ 10:02am | Report comment
I agree mudskipper … has Frieir also departed? Thought that I read that somewhere. If he has then presumably Polata-Nau would be starting hooker, if he is, then Hickey will not need locks or any other line out jumpers because Polata-Nau hasn’t a hope of hitting any with his throws. That was said tongue in cheek.
Yeah the Tahs forwards will be a puzzle … obviously Robinnson, Baxter and Dunning remain, Polata-Nau too. Mumm, Palu and Waugh remain …. so who will be the 2nd hooker, who will be the 2 replacement locks and who will be blindside flank? I’m assuming that Mumm will be a lock and that 2 more will be needed. Who will be the cover for the 6 & 8? Who will cover 7?
I assume that Waugh will be captain again ….. bearing in mind that 2009 could be his last season ….. who could be groomed as captain for 2010?
And here is a left field suggestion for 6 …… groom Tuqiri as a 6 and use Tahu on his wing …. is it a possibility? Tuqiri has the size and mobility, such a move could lengthen his career.
mudskipper said | September 22nd 2008 @ 10:08am | Report comment
Terry…we might see the Tahs wingers taking a lot of quick line options next season… I’m not sure about Frieir but he is of the age to go north…They do need another hooker and a back up No.8 for Palu.
Terry Kidd said | September 22nd 2008 @ 11:24am | Report comment
Yeah mate, I suppose I will just have to sit back and contemplate my navel for 5 months until we get into S14 trials and we can get a glimpse of where the Tahs might be going. At least we have the squad to be announced tomorrow to argue about for the next 6 weeks or so. At least its something to keep us arm chair coaches going.
mudskipper said | September 22nd 2008 @ 11:52am | Report comment
I hear you Terry…and that silly cricket games comes along every summer just to make it feel like an eternity to the next Super rugby season…Its just dreary without Warnie mixing things up a little…
tarpo said | September 22nd 2008 @ 12:01pm | Report comment
Tuqiri to no 6! oh Terry wash your mouth out! He is too lazy for wing let alone hhavingto put in the hard yards upfront, he is no chance. If tuqiri wnats tio lengthen his career his best option is a contract in Japan. Probably sooner rather than later.
Terry Kidd said | September 22nd 2008 @ 12:02pm | Report comment
If Spiro reads this thread maybe he could suggest some good rugby books to hunt up and read to help fill the time? Otherwise I’ll have to get creative in dodging the bride’s list of things that need doing ….. it’ll be a long summer, cricket without Warnie doesn’t do it for me. Gee, I’ll even watch the RL World Cup (World?) in preference.
Terry Kidd said | September 22nd 2008 @ 12:05pm | Report comment
Lol …. ah Tarpo … I did say it was left field. Maybe it is a way to lift his involvement? He couldn’t be worse at 6 than Dunning at prop.
Hey, there’s a thought. Dunning is useless as a prop, how about he be switched to 6 or 7? At least we know he can kick drop goals.
tarpo said | September 22nd 2008 @ 12:10pm | Report comment
Better still, lets bundle them up in a package deal, Dunning & Tuqiri. We know they are good mates & are adaptable regarding timezones, think Briso last year! If Japan doesn’t take them, maybe they could qualify as Marquee players somewhere!!