2019 Predictions Thread
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@rotated said in 2019 Predictions Thread:
Good to see others see the Gats to Aussie possibility - although I'm not unconvinced he could/would work under Foster if things break that way.
How could Gatland -- a man who has coached Five Nations teams for well over a decade, has a great record with British Lions tours, and has quite firm opinions about how he wants his teams to play -- not chafe under a guy who has done squat all and has no discernible game plan?
I find it laughable that he would consider any role other than occasional technical adviser.
I'd like him to take Waikato again.
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@Chester-Draws said in 2019 Predictions Thread:
@rotated said in 2019 Predictions Thread:
Good to see others see the Gats to Aussie possibility - although I'm not unconvinced he could/would work under Foster if things break that way.
How could Gatland -- a man who has coached Five Nations teams for well over a decade, has a great record with British Lions tours, and has quite firm opinions about how he wants his teams to play -- not chafe under a guy who has done squat all and has no discernible game plan?
I find it laughable that he would consider any role other than occasional technical adviser.
I'd like him to take Waikato again.
I assume if he wanted the big job, and this was the way to do it then he'd have to suck it up.
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@Chester-Draws said in 2019 Predictions Thread:
@rotated said in 2019 Predictions Thread:
Good to see others see the Gats to Aussie possibility - although I'm not unconvinced he could/would work under Foster if things break that way.
How could Gatland -- a man who has coached Five Nations teams for well over a decade, has a great record with British Lions tours, and has quite firm opinions about how he wants his teams to play -- not chafe under a guy who has done squat all and has no discernible game plan?
I find it laughable that he would consider any role other than occasional technical adviser.
I'd like him to take Waikato again.
Him and Foster get along well and live down the street with one another plus Gats worked under Foster at the Chiefs in 2007 despite being the bigger name. The tradition of being overqualified for the assistant role has been well established by Smith and Hansen. It would be nice to not be fighting from underneath after 10 years of doing so with Wales.
I would be surprised if he went to Australia unless he got carte blanche otherwise he is pretty much coaching Wales of the south.
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@rotated said in 2019 Predictions Thread:
@Chester-Draws said in 2019 Predictions Thread:
@rotated said in 2019 Predictions Thread:
Good to see others see the Gats to Aussie possibility - although I'm not unconvinced he could/would work under Foster if things break that way.
How could Gatland -- a man who has coached Five Nations teams for well over a decade, has a great record with British Lions tours, and has quite firm opinions about how he wants his teams to play -- not chafe under a guy who has done squat all and has no discernible game plan?
I find it laughable that he would consider any role other than occasional technical adviser.
I'd like him to take Waikato again.
Him and Foster get along well and live down the street with one another plus Gats worked under Foster at the Chiefs in 2007 despite being the bigger name. The tradition of being overqualified for the assistant role has been well established by Smith and Hansen. It would be nice to not be fighting from underneath after 10 years of doing so with Wales.
I would be surprised if he went to Australia unless he got carte blanche otherwise he is pretty much coaching Wales of the south.
Everyone lives down the street from one another in Hamilton.
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Gatland was "technical adviser", was he not? While currently being Waikato coach, so he was around anyway. I don't think that when Wayne Smith or Ted are "Technical Advisers" they are particularly under anyone very much. I can see Gatland taking an AB role like that -- not full time and not taking orders.
What I can't see is him being an assistant. He's a much better qualified head coach, and we all know that. Actually, I'd argue he's a far better coach as well. Only the mystical "being in the system" stops it being rather obvious.
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@Chester-Draws said in 2019 Predictions Thread:
Gatland was "technical adviser", was he not? While currently being Waikato coach, so he was around anyway. I don't think that when Wayne Smith or Ted are "Technical Advisers" they are particularly under anyone very much. I can see Gatland taking an AB role like that -- not full time and not taking orders.
What I can't see is him being an assistant. He's a much better qualified head coach, and we all know that. Actually, I'd argue he's a far better coach as well. Only the mystical "being in the system" stops it being rather obvious.
Nah. Gatland is an experienced 'organiser' IMO. He isn't an innovative thinker or tactician or skills coach, he is proven at being able to take the resources he gets and getting them to perform at a reasonable level. I can't see a place for him in any AB setup that wants to keep evolving and trying to stay ahead of the game.
He is the type of coach that Australia should be looking at but only if player egos are put aside and they aim at being a top 3 team.
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@rotated said in 2019 Predictions Thread:
Ireland don't have a hope. Every other top side has a way that the QF-SF draw can open up for them and they get a path that doesn't require three massive performances in consecutive weeks. Ireland's draw gurantees they have to do just that.
England are in a similar position. Australia or Wales are their likely quarters opposition. Neither may be highly favoured but they will require a decent performance to get past.
But yeah, QF4 is likely to be a big game. Ireland are going to have to get past NZ or SA then back that result up twice more. -
@Crucial said in 2019 Predictions Thread:
@rotated said in 2019 Predictions Thread:
Ireland don't have a hope. Every other top side has a way that the QF-SF draw can open up for them and they get a path that doesn't require three massive performances in consecutive weeks. Ireland's draw gurantees they have to do just that.
England are in a similar position. Australia or Wales are their likely quarters opposition. Neither may be highly favoured but they will require a decent performance to get past.
Maybe it's because England are 10 from 10 against those teams since the last RWC, but providing they don't fall apart in the pool stages (absolutely not a given) I'd fancy them pretty strongly against either side. Then they maybe get the wounded winner of Ireland vs SA/NZ.
The AB draw reads a bit like the 1995 curtain raiser (Aus/SA) to me, the winner has a relatively clear path through while the loser will have to do it the hard way.
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Pre-pre-season NZ conference predictions:
- Crusaders
Great tight five, very good 1st five, excellent starting midfield, depth across the park except halfback and midfield. Ere Enari could be a break through player though.
- Chiefs
Very good tight five, potential problems in the loose forwards, but will get the best from their squad. Real lack of depth in the midfield. If they get Cane back, their younger loose forwards step up, and they have a good run with injuries, they could win.
- Highlanders
Better pack this year, worse backline. Really hard to pick how they'll go.
- Hurricanes
Great backline, weak tight five.
- Blues
Will be much better, will beat some NZ teams, still too many gaps across the park. Lack a decent halfback and a centre.
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I reserve the right to change my mind after both the pre-season games, and the 1st three rounds!
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@Tim time will tell on your prediction with the Canes. I think they will go second just like they have the last few years and they could make a run for it if Coles stays fit. He's the leader that needs to be there through the playoffs. They've got the firepower to murder any team on their day but will need home advantage if they are going to win the whole comp.
Because guys like Cridge, Aumua, Walker-Leawere, Fidow and Mitchell are all unproven means it's difficult to predict how they are going to go. They could very well flop and as a result the Canes will struggle but they could all also perform well and if they do then the skys the limit with that backline.
