As a Waratahs member, I jumped at the chance to attend an open training session last week with my son at the club’s new headquarters, in Daceyville.
Ryan McCauley, who has the biggest thighs since the original Hulk, was great and Irae Simone is a natural with the kids. But, most importantly to my boy was getting every single one of the Waratahs’ autographs on his shirt.
The Tahs do not get enough credit for the good things they do and so it should be said that they were all open and polite to fans chasing them for signatures or a quick chat.
So, for the diehard fans, what were some of the scoops?
Israel Folau was watched closely and we were pleased to see him in full flight and leading the charge in their ball-work and fitness session. He looked sharp and the true fans have either forgiven him, or simply don’t care about his religious beliefs. Either way, there was only a genuine atmosphere of awe on display for the big man.
Rugby Australia and Raelene Caste need to be aware of this and also that every single child could not wait for his signature. You could hear the ongoing whispers amongst the boys and girls: “Folau this, Folau that”.
As soon as he made his way over to sign autographs there was a stampede; he was completely mobbed. Smiling and happy to talk to the fans, he indicated he is ready to go for their next game, against the Blues, and joked that he now just has to get selected.
He’s fit and he’s playing this week, there is no doubt.
Israel Folau (AAP Image/David Moir)
Taqele Naiyaravoro, Jed Hollaway, and Ned Hanigan were not present. What that means for the following week’s selection is anyone’s guess. Has the coach made an early decision that they won’t be selected for the next match? Their non-presence was curious at the very least, as was the fact that Andrew Kellaway trained with the main side while Alex Newsome did not.
Perhaps we are going to see Folau and Kellaway on the wing for the next match.
Jack Dempsey appeared towards the end of the session, presumably from his rehabilitation, and I overheard him tell one fan that he was indeed finally running but that there will be a longer road ahead for his return. He spoke openly when questioned about the highs of a stellar performance against the All Blacks last year at Suncorp to a season he’s likely to miss most of.
Dempsey spoke like a young man with hunger to get back on the field and he looks as physically impressive as any rugby player I’ve seen. Rugby World Cup 2019 look out!
Finally, it needs to be said how impressive the session was. Those men were flogged for the more than two hours I was there, and even though they were physically exhausted, they all made the effort with the kids.
Every single player I spoke to, including the coach, was devastated by last week’s result. Jake Gordon, in particular, was gutted, and I got the feeling he knows he’s lost his starting spot to Nick Phipps – who I must say was impressive. Nick was vocal and looks fit and raring to go.
They are hurting and they trained the house down.
The Waratahs are going to give it to them Blues!
RTT
Guest
Nonsense
P2R2
Roar Rookie
...touche'....well said..."trained the house and paddock down..."
Ray
Guest
Yes there are too many that revert to the 'they have no heart' argument, or that 'they don't practice their skills'. Bad day at the office sure, but all you can do is train hard and get out and smash those Blues'. Win, lose or draw, we need to get behind them. They're our boys and it helps them to be reminded once in a while.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Yep, you're right, my mistake. But as far as either of those guys go. They may look huge in present company in the Tah squad, but all it'd take is for a Coleman, Rodda, Douglas or Retallick to be walking about and you'd see these guys are a long way off filling out to the 120kg+ mark.
RTT
Guest
It is not so uncommon these days for locks to be well over 120kgs As for the hulk reference forgive me for having a bit of a poetic licence to make a point. Trust me he’s obviously be in the gym big time
jeznez
Roar Guru
He is an Aussie rugby player that might genuinely be described as having the biggest thighs since Lee Ferrigno. If you prefer we can wait for the Chiefs game and see if Palmer gets on to stand next to Retallick and we can assess if there is a 10 kg difference or not.
LifestyleSpecialist
Roar Rookie
100% thank you for this article and I think it backs up Cheika's pleas last year - the guys are giving everything and they care. It's not their fault they've had bad pathways and coaching for the last decade which puts them behind their opponents. They are a symptom of the problem, not the cause.
RTT
Guest
Agreed. It’s why I love the game more than any other
Geoff Parkes
Expert
I agree Ralph. I've been banging on about this for while - fans that get a bit down on their side not performing so well should try to attend a training session. What they will see (this goes for all the sides) is a group of guys and coaches working really hard, in a constructive and happy environment, and genuinely happy to engage with any fans who want to say hi or get an autograph afterwards. It's particularly great to be able to get up close and see them work on set pieces etc... Even if the results aren't yet coming on the field, at least fans should be able to reassess any uninformed notion that the players aren't trying or lack heart.
Harry Jones
Expert
One of the best things about this game we love is how accessible our rugby heroes still are: we can all have a chat with our hometown lads, run into them at the pub, and there is less of that soccer-style celebrity aura...
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks RTT. Carn the Tahs!!!!!
RTT
Guest
What’s Tupou got to do with the tahs?
RTT
Guest
All of the major names trained in the main group. Basically everyone that was part of the starting side except for Hanigan, Naiyaravoro and newsome. Most of the reserves were not training with the main group. Folau and Kellaway were the only players training with the main groups that were outside of the 23 that played the lions
jeznez
Roar Guru
Or just wait until they play the Reds next and confirm that Tupou has bigger thighs when they can be seen standing near each other?
Council
Guest
You mean in the game where the entire team lost without scoring a point?
RTT
Guest
Sounds like you need to get out to a training session and see for yourself
Daveski
Guest
They were all poor in the last 50minutes. Gordon made one great break in the first half the sort he's the only half in Australia capable of making.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I know it is not the key point of the article but no way these blokes are pushing that weight. You are putting them in the Etzabeth - Retallick range. They are huge men but well off those blokes.
Rugby Tragic Too
Roar Guru
cheers Shane yes and they seemed genuinely happy to see the kids which is a good sign. No arrogance at all. and as i said they trained as hard as i've ver seen.. non stop for 2 and a half hours. glad it wasn't me
Rugby Tragic Too
Roar Guru
fair enough though the question must be why were some playing club rugby... perhaps because they won't be starting v the Blues?