England call up Thomas Waldrom as cover

[Sixesandsevens]

Olly have the rules changed then? In 2003 Austin Healey was called up in the same way but wasnt allowed to train with the team or stay in the same hotel untill he was officially added? Which he never was as both Balshaw ans Lewsey got fit.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Ah, I was just presuming, as it would be odd to call him to the other side of the world and not have him involved, I don't know the actual rules

However I did read that he's not due to arrive in NZ until tomorrow, after 30hrs or so of flying, so perhaps that's when they'll make the final decision on Easter

 

[Jaws]

No, the rules have not changed. As it stands he is not allowed any contact with the team, until it is made official of course.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

I heard differently, the ab's have had guys that missed out on selection training against the WC squad and under supervision. They cant practice with the others but can tackle bag and run defence etc.

I would have though he would be doing something similar.

 

[markshaw]

hes physical. I think they need that

 

[jawmalawm24]

I hope if Waldrom gets a game he makes the most out of it, he's a good player and I think he deserved alot more recognition than he got when he played here in New Zealand, so hopefully you English can get the best out of him and see him play at his full potential

 

[nickdnz]

I hope if Waldrom gets a game he makes the most out of it, he's a good player and I think he deserved alot more recognition than he got when he played here in New Zealand, so hopefully you English can get the best out of him and see him play at his full potential

Agreed. I actually thought that he deserved an All Black call up over Kieran Read (I would be wrong in hindsight), but he was such a good player. He's one of those guys who just doesn't quite look like an athlete, so is pretty easy to dismiss, but he's such a hard nosed footballer who does his job perfectly.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Waldrom is now officially in the squad, but as a replacement for Sheridan

Johnson said:
"Nick Easter is making good progress but with Thomas here it makes sense to get him into the squad officially"


I'd like to see:

6. Wood, 7. Haskell, 8. Waldrom
19. Croft
Against Scotland (though I think Moody at 7 and Haskell bench is more likely, but Moody 7, Haskell 8 and Waldrom bench even more likely)

 

[gingergenius]

Waldrom is now officially in the squad, but as a replacement for Sheridan

Johnson said:
"Nick Easter is making good progress but with Thomas here it makes sense to get him into the squad officially"


I'd like to see:

6. Wood, 7. Haskell, 8. Waldrom
19. Croft
Against Scotland (though I think Moody at 7 and Haskell bench is more likely, but Moody 7, Haskell 8 and Waldrom bench even more likely)

reckon against Scotland we pick our strongest back row, which means 2 things - firstly that Waldrom can't start, and secondly that Haskell has to, somewhere.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Waldrom should be involved if it's our strongest back row though, even if just on the bench
Haskell and Wood are both better 7s than Moody, so if it were truly our strongest back row you'd see:

6. Croft or Wood
7. Wood or Haskell
8. Haskell or Waldrom

19. The other guy


However I get what you mean, as the guys already there will be settled together so the unit will be stronger - Still think he should be on the bench though, as he's in the squad now, and to get his first time (potentially) in a knockout stage wouldn't be ideal

 

[Duckdee]

Yay!/Noooo!

 

[cardassian]

good stuff, glad to see him there, hope he gets game time.