Waratahs 2026

[Crashy]

They announced this pretty quickly so you would imagine they didn't give it away. Heard it’s a million a year.
quite a safe bet when you know the players aren’t going to punch women and do all sorts of depraved things after a coupla sherberts.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Rat Park is a good venue for games.

 

[Adam84]

Darby Lancaster off to Newcastle Red Bull…

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

With how Reilly really stepped up and Potter signing he was lowest rung. Dissapointing because the talent in the guy is huge but what are the Tahs meant to do when some others have stepped up and earnt selection and I'm sure Newcastle are paying him fairly well/as a starter yet he's a reserve winger in this squad.

Hopefully current group can keep fitness during the year and some of the young guys like Saunders, Watters can be kept with this sort of move.

 

[Crashy]

Dropped a sitter on Saturday with the try line begging vs Eastwood.
When he comes back in a couple of years, it will be interesting to see how he has developed. Does Newcastle suddenly have a pot of cash?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Bought by Red Bull so yes they are suddenly financial stable (for now)

 

[TSR]

They announced this pretty quickly so you would imagine they salient give it away. Heard it’s a million a year.
quite a safe bet when you know the players aren’t going to punch women and do all sorts of depraved things after a coupla sherberts.

It’s a nice sentiment - but I’m not sure we are really in a position to sling mud.

 

[Crashy]

It’s a nice sentiment - but I’m not sure we are really in a position to sling mud.

ok sorry. Better than players distributing illegal drugs to their team mates. thats better.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

hmmm Rugby should just let that through to the keeper. We have multiple current Wallabies with past drug indiscretions. The sport being a lower attention game these days does have benefit on certain things. An NRL player cant fart in public without it ending up on the news.

 

[Major Tom]

hmmm Rugby should just let that through to the keeper. We have multiple current Wallabies with past drug indiscretions. The sport being a lower attention game these days does have benefit on certain things. An NRL player cant fart in public without it ending up on the news.

Current Wallabies? Slipper and JOC (James O'Connor) are the only ones that come to mind. Hardly an epidemic.
Even with more publicity rugby union would very much struggle to match the dumb shit league players (and journalists) get up to. There's a hint of match fixing in this too. I think rugby and rugby followers are well in its rights to highlight how bad the behaviour is of other codes, particularly the one we compete the most with.

 

[bomber06]

Darby Lancaster off to Newcastle Red Bull…

Apparently not - off to the Force. Id have preferred Lancaster stay over Potter joining personally. Potter is another solid outside back without a high ceiling

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

In a side that needs experience I like Potter but also hate seeing Darby go with all the raw attributes but I get it.

 

[bomber06]

1 Kailea
2 Moananu
3 Botha
4 Grant
5 Blyth
6 Philip
7 Gamble
8 Samu

I think. No way Philip can play backrow but don't think there is another backrower confirmed yet?

Id go with

1 Lambert
2 Moananu
3 Amone (or anyone but Botha)
4 Amatosero
5 Philip
6 Samu
7 Gamble
8 Talataina

16 Dobbins
17 Kailea
18 ?
19 Blyth/Grant
20 Kunavula (not sure if he is staying or has left?)

Issues are THP (really am not sold on Botha at all), also depth at 6/8

 

[bomber06]

So 5 in, 18 out. Means there a few spots to fill (this was as July 2025)

 

[Crashy]

Current Wallabies? Slipper and JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) are the only ones that come to mind. Hardly an epidemic.
Even with more publicity rugby union would very much struggle to match the dumb shit league players (and journalists) get up to. There's a hint of match fixing in this too. I think rugby and rugby followers are well in its rights to highlight how bad the behaviour is of other codes, particularly the one we compete the most with.

Considering the free flowing opinions the other codes have had towards rugby- solicited or not, I just like to return the favour. They were kicking the shit out of the game when we were on the mat- l like to return the favour- unsolicited of course.

 

[Crashy]

How many of those are 1 year sabbaticals? Is it just Bell?

So 5 in, 18 out. Means there a few spots to fill (this was as July 2025)

View attachment 23213

 

[bomber06]

How many of those are 1 year sabbaticals? Is it just Bell?

Just Bell AFAIK

 

[Braveheart81]

Considering the free flowing opinions the other codes have had towards rugby- solicited or not, I just like to return the favour. They were kicking the shit out of the game when we were on the mat- l like to return the favour- unsolicited of course.

By all means share them on rugby league sites.

It's very easy to simply not mention rugby league when the post has absolutely nothing to do with rugby league.

 

[Brumby Runner]

So 5 in, 18 out. Means there a few spots to fill (this was as July 2025)

View attachment 23213

That looks to be almost unsustainable. It is a similar picture at the Brumbies at this stage. Eight losses and one signing (Edmed) from outside - Nelson and McLeod promoted from the Academy. Combined with last year that saw 7 or 8 leave and only three brought in, it looks like our common owner, RA, is not the least bit interested in recruiting to its two provinces.

 

[Braveheart81]

5 of those departing players didn't play for the Waratahs at all in 2025 and several of them weren't part of the main squad.

It's August. I don't think we need to be overly concerned about recruitment yet.

In an ideal world I would say you want to turn over about 20% of your roster each year. The important bit is what 20% that is.