Waratahs recruit Adam Ashley-Cooper might wear Kurtley Beale’s old jersey this Super Rugby season, but team-mates argue there’s no way the versatile Wallaby is filling anyone’s shoes.
Ashley-Cooper wasn’t expected at pre-season training until next Monday, but ended his holiday early to start preparations for NSW a week early.
His eagerness to make an immediate impression is an encouraging sign for the Waratahs, who are adjusting to life without one of the game’s most potent attacking weapons in Beale.
Although no decision has been made on where the former Brumby will line up in the backline, there’s no doubt he and playmaker Berrick Barnes are the star power the Waratahs will be relying on this season.
However, NSW centre Rob Horne made it clear Ashley-Cooper, one of the Wallabies best throughout last year’s World Cup, isn’t replacing anyone.
“I’m not sure he needs to fill any shoes. In his own right he’s a pretty special talent so he’ll bring something different to the group,” said Horne.
“To have him come back a week earlier, it’s definitely a good sign and it’s good for all the guys who have been training to see his work ethic and how he goes about his business.
“It’s a little bit different without Kurt, you get used to his energy being around, but in saying that … you can’t help but feel the enthusiasm and competitiveness in the squad.”
Fellow utility Lachie Turner says the Waratahs won’t lose any strength in their backline with Ashley-Cooper coming on board.
“I think people forget that Coopie’s played double the caps for Australia (that Beale has),” said Turner.
“He played every minute of the World Cup, he’s got the fastest hat-trick in World Cup history so he’s no attacking slouch and his defensive work and the work he does under the high ball is phenomenal.
“I know Coopie will do more than just fill the gaps, he’ll thrive in whatever position you put him in.
Turner also tipped captaincy candidate Barnes to have the best season of his career so far.
“I think Berrick’s in a really good spot at the moment,” Turner said.
“The way he finished last year and got through those personal battles (related to repeated concussions) he came back far stronger than he’s ever been. I think we’ll see the best year he’s ever had.”
Turner said he’s happy to play anywhere in the backline, but would ideally love to push Ashley-Cooper out of the No.15 shirt.
Both Horne and Turner are confident NSW are adjusting well to life under new coach Michael Foley and without core players Beale, inspirational captain Phil Waugh and the experienced Al Baxter and Luke Burgess.
Mike G
Guest
Yep, agree 100% B-Rock...This is the best Tahs team (on paper, anyway)...Really hope that Alcock can step up and dominate on the floor, he is all class...But I do worry about depth in the front row stocks...Fitz is an able support to TPN and will no doubt see huge game time due to TPN's desire to knock himself and his opposite out each tackle!! But if Kepu and/or Robinson get injured, we're in trouble. We've lost that X factor with beale going, so it remains to be seen how this will impact on the side...if it seems like we have no creativity out wide or from the back, I agree with others above that Foley should get a crack...Pretorious too, should add some real creative spark around the ruck. I know we do this every year with the Tahs, but C'mon!!!
johnny-boy
Guest
Beale in the All Blacks would be better than Dagg in the Wallabies. It's all relative.
jameswm
Guest
I'm one who'd give Foley a crack at 15, on what I've seen.
jameswm
Guest
Really???? That means they might have realised he won't be in the 15, or possibly the 22. It's a rather large leadership group though. Wonder who's in it? 6 would be: -Robinson - TPN - Vicks - Rocky - Barnes - MItchell - and maybe AAC, Turner, the half-back, Dennis?
Geoff Brisbane now California
Guest
I guess its the same old story, what looks good on paper as opposed to what turns up to play and importantly whom they are playing. Tahs have played great 10 man rugby of recent times but really haven't stamped their authority too much albeit on paper
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
The name Foley keeps on being mentioned at 15. Have you considered him? With that quality forward pack there should be plenty of ball for the backs to weave their magic. I hope the coaches have been instilling the need to resist the temptation of aimlessly kicking the ball back to the opposition for them to run it. Note:- I'm not against kicking the ball during play but there needs to be reason behind the madness.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
100% with you there. I want someone (hopefully Foley) to finally arrive at the one position that is best for AAC & the team and bloody well stick with it! Mind you, thinking about it, it would be interesting to think how many of these guys are expected to master more than one position. How many utility players does one team actually need? Aaaaand consider the loss to the team. By that I mean something like a specialist winger - Ben Tune anyone? - is worth his weight in gold.
Johnno
Guest
Ben, Jane has played plenty of fullback. I like 6 nations, Armytage wing/fullback really impresses me.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
It's absurd to say Foden is comparable to Dagg or Beale. The northern hemsiphere may have players who compete for the best in the world, but at full-back Foden is not one of them.
Ben Farrell
Guest
Ben Foden is the second best fullback in the world pal. Streets ahead of Steyn, Beale and Jane??? his a winger bud. This may shock you Johnno but there is another hemisphere which plays Rugby. Do yourself a favour and hook into the Six Nations which is International Rugby at its best.
Ben Farrell
Guest
Ben Foden is the second best Fullback in the world. You will see this in the six nations and coming years. Dont be surprised if he surpasses Dagg soon.
tenyearsold
Guest
I agree. They are so inconsistent that I simply cannot discover how they came fifth in the Super Rugby standings in 2011. But maybe Michael Foley can ruin that weakness.
tenyearsold
Guest
Dean Mumm doesn't deserve a second chance and should get used to life on the bench. Especially with the likes of Sitaleki Timani who is only going to improve and also who I think should have a few more test matches next to his name and Dan Vickerman who provides a lot of experience. Dan Vickerman votes Elsom as the skipper which just serves as another reason why Mumm should be dropped.
Johnno
Guest
what about frans stein, i rate dagga 1 , 2 stein 2, and i'd prefer corey jane to beale at full back as well. Jane much better under the high ball than beale .
B-Rock
Roar Guru
Good call - I had the exact same pack below - ditch Mumm and Tilse altogether though
B-Rock
Roar Guru
AAC is a very different player to Dagg - KB is a much better comparison. AAC is a natural 13 IMO. For mine, Dagg and KB are the top 15s in the world at the moment, both with plenty of improvement left in them too.
B-Rock
Roar Guru
Cant believe the season starts again in six weeks - looking forward to it after a one sided summer of domestic cricket (so far) For mine, the first choice Tahs XV would be 15 AAC 14 Turner 13 Carter 12 Horne 11 Mitchell 10 Barnes 9 Pretorious 8 Palu 7 Alcock 6 Rocky 5 Timani 4 Vickerman 3 Kepu 2 TPN 1 Robinson This is a very strong XV - easily a top 4 team if all fit (after last season surely some luck will flow the Tahs way!) Ive never been a fan of Tom Carter but he stepped up in the final few matches last season and was a real highlight for me. He should keep his spot (first time I have ever endorsed Tommy Gun) with Horne moving to 12. Please let this be the season Horne is not injured! AAC should play at 15 as we have little else there. If you insist on 13 (which I can understand) Carter should be dropped to the bench with Horne still at 12, Turner to 15 and Pakalani or Kingston onto the wing. Strongest possible bench: 16 Fitzpatrick 17 Ryan 18 Douglas 19 Dennis 20 McKibbin 21 Halangahu 22 Kingston/Pakalani Particularly in the forwards, this is a very weak bench, with no real impact outside of Douglas and Kingston/Pakalani. If we suffer the same injury toll as last season the depth will be seriously under pressure, particularly in the front row.
panatellas
Guest
Jameswm Mumm has been expressly excluded by Foley from his new 8 man Tah leadership group to 'allow him to concentrate on his own game'.
soapit
Guest
to be fair not many fullbacks going around compare favourably with dagg.
jameswm
Guest
True Melon and that's why I prefer AAC at 13. 2012 - the year of the Tah. Look how strong they are on paper - do the others even have a chance?