Tim Donnelly No.10

[The Camden Leisure Pirate]

TIM Donnelly has been given the contentious five-eighth spot for New South Wales Waratahs for the opening Super 14 match against Queensland at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

The diminutive Donnelly reclaims the spot he held in the first half of the 2004 Super 12 season after the departure of last year's incumbent Lachlan MacKay to Western Force.



Another playmaking contender, former ACT Brumbies star Sam Norton-Knight, has been chosen at full back after spending time in both positions in trials matches.

The Waratahs' other major recruit, Wendell Sailor, is on the wing while regular winger Lote Tuqiri will play outside centre, reviving his 2005 Wallabies midfield combination with Morgan Turinui.

There are five changes from the team that started the 2005 Super 12 final defeat to Canterbury Crusaders.

In the pack, abrasive lock Will Caldwell and hooker Adam Freier replace the departed Justin Harrison and Brendan Cannon. In the backs, Donnelly takes over from MacKay, while Sailor and Norton-Knight are in for departed Nathan Grey and the unavailable Mat Rogers.

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,18068902-23210,00.html

 

[Johns Magic]

f**k yes!

Should never have been dropped. Donnelly sh*ts all over McKay, Norton-Knight and Berne.

 

[aussies1st]

Nothing wrong with Norton-Knight, at least he is playing at fullback cause this guy has talent.

 

[lockyno1]

It makes sense becuase then all you guys do is put Rogers at #10 when he returns. It is the easiest way. Norton-Knight will be a good fly-half but it will take time. No point rushing the kid!

 

[Jackal Dog]

Although I am not entirely convinced best of luck to Timmy boy! Anyway hopefully Rogers will be back soon, would like to see him get some decent game time at 10.

 

[Timbo]

Finally Tiny Tim gets another run.

He was our standout in 04, he was mistreated last year.

 

[aussies1st]

It makes sense becuase then all you guys do is put Rogers at #10 when he returns. It is the easiest way. Norton-Knight will be a good fly-half but it will take time. No point rushing the kid!

Give him back to the Brumbies then They won't rush the kid!

 

[girvie]

Does anyone know the bench?

 

[Woods99]

Does anyone know the bench?

Robinson, Nau, Kanaar, Palu, Hoiles, Halangahu, Berne.

Five forwards.

 

[The Camden Leisure Pirate]

Halangahu.
Five forwards.

The guy is a Scrum Half and a very big one at that.
Big wraps on him, Play more like a second No.10.
He played really well in the trials, especially againest the Blues.

Back-up halfback Brett Sheehan misses out altogether, with first-choice five-eighth Tim Donnelly and reserve back Daniel Halangahu both trialling at halfback this year as cover for captain Chris Whitaker to enable just such a combination.
http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/news/super-14/feverish-tuqiri-sweating-on-opener/2006/02/07/1139074227021.html

 

[Timbo]

Good bench.

Berne can cover just about any of the inside backs and the flexibility of Tuquri and Hewat allows us flexibility should there be an injury.

Not sure on Norton-Knight in the #15 though, didn't even realise he could play there.

 

[lockyno1]

Good bench.

Berne can cover just about any of the inside backs and the flexibility of Tuquri and Hewat allows us flexibility should there be an injury.

Not sure on Norton-Knight in the #15 though, didn't even realise he could play there.

He played fullback for the Brumbies last year in most of his games. He only played at fly-half in a few games.

 

[The Camden Leisure Pirate]

He also gives us another Kicking option, in side our own 20.

 

[Woods99]

Most five-eighths should be able to play full-back, and vice-versa.

 

[Jackal Dog]

Donnelly just doesn't have it IMO last night proved it yet again, he is a very good club player but seems unable to make the step up to the next level (he wouldn't be the first either) hopefully Norton-Knight will be given a shot at 5/8 next week.

 

[skeepe]

The Warat**s were extremely lucky that the referee was a NSW boy. An unbiased referee last night and they would be 0-1 to start the year.

Just on last night, how you Warat**s fans think Sailor will be a good acquisition I'll never know. I was watching the match with a few NSW fans and they all hated him by the end of it, carrying on like a wanker all night. How Sailor ever made the Wallabies in the first place, I'll never know. If he plays like he did last night, he should be nowhere near the national side.

 

[aussies1st]

Donnelly just doesn't have it IMO last night proved it yet again, he is a very good club player but seems unable to make the step up to the next level (he wouldn't be the first either) hopefully Norton-Knight will be given a shot at 5/8 next week.

Spot on Donnelly always chokes up when Super rugby comes around. Norton-Knight is the way to go for sure.

 

[Whats Doing]

Having been at last night match, Donnelly had a shocker. His kicking was atrocious which was one of the reasons NSW had no field position. NSW need to play it wider if they are going to benefit from Tuquiri and Sailor.

Some of their outside backs really need to learn some skills in regards to drawing the man. Berrick Barnes clearly showed his skills in this regard and was one of the best for QLD.

Sailor was fairly solid in his first outing but he carries on like a w#nker.

 

[willvillain]

I see no reason why Berne be given the ten jersey until Rogers returns.

 

[aussies1st]

Just give it to Norton Knight that guy is a Larkham clone. He went over to NSW to get a full game at 10 not fullback. He could have got the fullback gig at the Brumbies.