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Tahs recruit South African Hendrik Roodt wants Wallabies jersey
November 17, 2009 .Wallabies coach Robbie Deans will welcome news that giant NSW Waratahs recruit Hendrik Roodt wants to follow in Dan Vickerman's footsteps and play for the Wallabies.
Roodt, an Emerging Springbok who turned 22 earlier this month, has arrived to link with his new teammates in Sydney.
Like fellow South African Vickerman before him, 200cm tall, 128kg lock Roodt describes himself as "physical player".
"I never saw a lot of him, but I know about Dan and I would love to walk in his footsteps here as well," Roodt said.
Deans will be thrilled if Roodt develops like Vickerman who excelled as a lineout jumper and enforcer for the Brumbies, Waratahs and Wallabies before deciding at the end of 2008 to study in England.
But Roodt is first to admit that is a long way off.
First there's the matter of returning to his playing weight of 121 kilos after taking a year off rugby to study.
Asked about his international aspirations, Roodt said: "It's just playing for the Tahs for the moment but if I get the opportunity to play for the Aussies, I will be honoured."
He said it would take a lot of hard work to achieve an Australian jersey and he would also need "to get into the Aussie culture."
Roodt already comes from a winning culture, having spent time before this year with the Bulls, who field the world's most potent lock duo of Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha.
"I've seen from the Waratahs they've also got a winning culture and some of the world's best defence," said Roodt.
Roodt said he could already feel a little bit of pressure on the Tahs from their failure to reach the 2009 finals, but felt the players "will deal with that."
His imposing presence was welcomed by NSW coach Chris Hickey.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...002381,00.html
Only if he heads to Canberra.
The second paragraph would indicate he has potential I would have thought?
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
I'm looking for more accounts... journos who'd believe'm
You don't believe that he was an Emerging Springbok![]()
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
he is bigger than most Aus players props included
He's had a year off so he won't be nursing any injuries. Young, fresh shoulders.
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
The Tahs players gave Roodt a nickname as soon as he arrived.
They call him "Dud".
ive heard reports that he does have quite a lot of potential, his biggest asset is his enormous size, but he is quite athletic as well, if coached correctly he could be a fantastic player in the future.
Be a pretty imposing lineout with Roodt & Thomson and Caldwell at #6!
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
The big thing for Roodt will be carrying himself around. I get the feeling he'll be a bit like Andries Bekker- huge in size, huge in talent but unbelieveably inconsistent. He would suit the tight game the Tahs usually play.
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
Thomson plays for my local club, the Rats. He one of our few decent players who haven't been poached by the Force yet but I don't think he is regular starting S14 material at this stage. He's tall timber though and we didn't have a lot of problems with lineouts at Rat Park if Luke Holmes threw the ball in straight.
[The 2nd rower I am getting excited about is Greg Peterson who was like Dan Vickerman in schools rugby this year and is even bigger than Vickers. He's in the Tahs professional Academy. He might be a good poach for 2011 as our lock roster will be getting a bit tight then.]
Mowen will be at 6. He was the big surprise for the Tahs in 2009 and ended up being one of the highest in lineout receptions and steals for the whole Super14.
If he is at 6 Wallaby Mumm will partner Caldwell in the 2nd row. Caldwell will not play 6. If Mowen is injured and a lock comes on Mumm will go to flanker.
As for "Dud" Roodt: we will have to see how he goes but read this [4th from the bottom]:
http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/for...topic=8954.300
He may be struggling a bit.
Still can't work out why a developing player recruited from Club level to one of Australia's four professional teams is "poached"...
It would seem Sydney players are only allowed to progress to the Waratahs.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
ewwwwwwwwwww...why did I click on that link......had to read dribble...