I am pumped.
Now, of course we all know that trials form is no indicator of how a team’s season will go, but it seems nobody told that to the Tahs or the Reds.
The young brigade (and can’t even remember most of their names) played, as one of the live stream commentators said , ”like no one was watching” – their offloading, general go forward, scrummaging, optimism and conditioning was a pure breath of fresh air.
The Tahs went forward all day, cleaned up their spilled ball, got their hands free, backed up and off-loaded intelligently. They tackled the Highlanders out of the game.
Michael McDonald, Angus Bell, Carlo Tizzano, Alex Newsome, Will Harrison and Mack Mason for the Tahs. Filipo Daugunu, Isaac Lucas, Tate McDermott and, of course, Taniela Tupou – a pretty exciting bunch coming through, with three coaches in Dave Rennie, Rob Penney and Brad Thorn who won’t play favourites.
The glue in the middle was James O’Connor who was in everything – dyed his hair dark, almost suggesting that he wanted to be the anonymous quiet man in the middle, and he just kept popping up at the right times, putting people through holes. I see great things from this backline and Jordan Petaia wasn’t even playing. Will Henry Speight make the starting team?
Shame about the Rebels – they just didn’t turn up and the Highlanders, well, you can’t criticise them, as we all know that Kiwi teams are always going to get stronger going into a season.
Great signs – if we were going through a rugby drought, we have just seen the first signs of healthy “green pick”.
Felt a bit sorry for Andrew Deegan, who toiled manfully behind a beaten pack.
What a wonderful performance from Daugunu, but made possible by the deft work in the near channels by McDermott and Lucas. Many tries should come in that channel this year.
Overall, some big, tough, young men with no fear, and if we keep that schools and U20’s and Junior Wallabies program going I can only see us going from strength to strength.
Never again, should we have coaches that have too much power, and play favourites.
We need to find as many opportunities to get the likes of the Stephen Larkhams, Peter Hewats and those young coaches on the pathway.
Like I said, early days, and I can’t wait to see the first Brumbies trial, but I am pumped!
Cassandra
Roar Rookie
Thanks gatesy, very enjoyable read. When I saw your headline, I thought it was going to be an article about the NRC.
numpty
Roar Rookie
Great piece, didn't get to see the tahs game but the reds looked hungry. The jury is still out on thorn but there is no doubt he is getting a "team" together and making them play for each other, not letting in any easy pts. I noticed that when moses sorovi came on they lacked a little bit of direction, with the team having about 20 odd phases on the rebels goal line and only went backwards. Is it just by coincidence, or was Tizzano in everything in the tahs game? Because he showed up alot in the h'lights.
PeterK
Roar Guru
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/118764867/super-rugby-to-trial-new-law-as-crackdown-on-high-tackles-continues
gatesy
Roar Guru
Who?
gatesy
Roar Guru
I thought they were going to trial the 50-20 and the line dropout, too.
gatesy
Roar Guru
Yep - my omission
gatesy
Roar Guru
Yes, you got me there - my omission.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
My mistake. I thought I had read it was to be trialled in Super Rugby and Top 14. Sporting News seems to indicate it will be in use but I didn't hear anything from the ref in last night's game or any penalties for high shots. https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby/news/world-rugby-high-tackling-waist-super-rugby-rugby-union/zy891w6nzb2l1nuf1gtx2zsop
PeterK
Roar Guru
the waist tackle rule is NOT being trialed in super rugby. It ONLY applies to some youth and female comps.
Rugby Geek
Roar Rookie
Hey Gatesy and the other rusted on Rugby Gurus! How good is a thread on Rugby that’s POSITIVE and all about Rugby!!!! Tahs up to their old tricks again ..... getting me all excited early on!!!!
Tooly
Roar Rookie
If he can convince the Tahs that no one is watching, particularly Cheika, he’s a bloody genius. That’s been their problem for 50 years.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It’s only pre season but it was hardly a strong Tahs team vs a weak Highlanders team. It’s not like the disparity between the Reds and Rebels teams. So you may be onto something. Paul Cully said on Twitter it was probably 9 first choice starters from the Highlanders, the Tahs could have more to come back.
moondoggie
Roar Rookie
A lot to like about the Tahs last night, especially coming back from 0-14, then keeping the pressure up to the final whistle, with a try on full time. The support play and offloads were very impressive. Harrison looked very good. Played as if he had all the time in the world and takes the ball to the line with square shoulders. Mason was very lateral and telegraphed his passes a little too much so defense could easily drift. But generally very positive signs.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
The Tahs looked quite good in what was a trial game. What was of interest tpme wa how the new tackle rule would be refereed. There were many tackles from both sides over the waste: chest and shoulders. The referee ruled with common sense and the game flowed. I hope the other refs do this when the season proper starts. I didn't see the Reds game, how was the rule refereed there?
Machooka
Roar Guru
Haha! :laughing: I, now when I hear this classic phrase, can only think of a certain Bardic Hazza!?! :silly: :laughing:
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Gatesy What happened to Mr Grumbles? :silly: In total concurrence with you :thumbup: Cheers KP
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
I’m not naming names Chook. But Fardic smarts come to mind.
Drei
Guest
I really hope Fitzpatrick stays injury free....we don't have any great back up options for him. I really wish Latu stayed in Australia....if he gets his act together and works hard, he has the potential to be a great hooker.
Working Class Rugger
Roar Guru
I often wonder how much our recent history of being beaten by Kiwi opponents impacts upon our current generation of players. There seems to be a cycle of constant misery with the odd blip of high performance here and there only to revert back to type. What last night showed. And I will qualify this by saying it's far too early to be declaring the drought is over. Is that the young next gen guys that showed up and played so well had none of the mental blocks of the older blokes more established guys when it came to NZ opposition. Most having come from the u20s who comfortably handled NZ earlier last year. In the past it has always seemed that our guys always expected to have to really struggle to even compete with NZ teams and that they were always on the edge of defeat. But the young blokes on the team last night had none of this. Even when the Highlanders went 14 nil up. They seemed none to fussed and confident that they could pull them back. It was refreshing to see. Now. I don't expect them to be world beaters this season. In fact, a mid table finish with a young side should be considered a success. But not having those mental blocks hanging over there heads will help a lot.
Morsie
Guest
So good to have the rugby back. The Tah kids were great. The Tarts will be more than competitive this year.