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Waratahs 2025

Wilson

Wilson

John Eales (66)
Strewthcobber said:
Lol, if that's what he is worried about Ulster was the wrong choice!
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I think it probably helps at times to play for a team that you don't otherwise give a shit about at the end of the day, and you're only at for one season, versus the one you grew up idolizing and supporting, and intend to be with for the lions share of your career. Much easier to see it as "just a job" and switch off in that situation, regardless of the setup at the team itself.

I do think he'd be better off if he could spend a season as just a piece of a championship team (most of our players would benefit from it), but those aren't the teams handing out one year sabbatical deals for the most part.
 
Wilson

Wilson

John Eales (66)
Dctarget said:
Leinster just handed out two?
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None left for Bell then.

But I do actually wonder if the wheels are starting to come off at Leinster. As well as they've done recently it's now a long time since they've won anything with all their talent and the sentiment in Irish rugby looks to be turning away from the Leinster first model, with a fair few questions being asked about whether or not the return on investment has actually been worth it. Meanwhile they seem to be looking for whatever talent they can get away with injecting short term, probably to try and have some sort of immediate success to point to to keep the status quo going.

Most other teams seem to be moving away from picking up sabbatical players, at least outside of injury crisis sort of situations. When they do it's more often 1 year deals with an open option for more (like Ikitau's), then hard time boxed sabbaticals like Bell is looking at. You'd think someone of Bell's calibre would be the exception there, but the fact that Valetini couldn't get one is pretty telling.
 
Wilson

Wilson

John Eales (66)
Strewthcobber said:
Isn't more because everyone is trying to get a sabbatical all at the same time - for 2026? No-one wanted one this year because of the Lions, and no-one wants one for 2027.
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That probably doesn't help, but there's been plenty of talk (mostly from Christy) that the Japanese sides are not particularly interested in handing out sabbatical deals anymore, which has been a big provider of them in the past.
 
The Ghost of Raelene

The Ghost of Raelene

Phil Kearns (64)
That shouldn't worry Aus rugby fans... If he only starts half the games great.

If Bristol are serious about being contenders this is the sort of singing they should chase. Genge has a lot of games and a lot of starts. he's durable but imagine being able to rotate the pair.
 
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