Waratahs 2026

[Froggy]

Horton is a pretty good footballer, just a bit small and as a result not a great scrummager. Even if we go with him, however, I think history would show you really need four hookers in your squad.

 

[teamsport]

If Horton can't make the top 4 hookers in the Waratahs squad I assume the Waratahs will be the best side in the comp.

He is perfectly capable & experienced. I wouldn't be confident if he was number one but he could do a job at 2 if they are developing someone to go past him in the next 12 - 24 months (or bringing someone over him to bump him down in 12 months).

 

[Braveheart81]

If Horton can't make the top 4 hookers in the Waratahs squad I assume the Waratahs will be the best side in the comp.

He is perfectly capable & experienced. I wouldn't be confident if he was number one but he could do a job at 2 if they are developing someone to go past him in the next 12 - 24 months (or bringing someone over him to bump him down in 12 months).

I agree with all those things.

If you viewed him as being clearly above Dobbins for that number 2 role then sure, sign him for a year but if it's marginal then I don't really want a 28 year old as the third string player when we're lacking top end talent.

There needs to be a plan to end up with better top end talent at the position in a couple of years.

 

[Homer]

With the limited space available to young guys it would be a terrible decision to go with journeyman around 30 years old. We need to bring some guys through in the system, even if they are mostly playing shield. get them into a full time professional environment. If there is a bunch of injuries turn to an old head to fill the squad.
Unfortunately Wes Thomas is no chance as Rats players do not get picked for the tahs, even if they win the premiership.

 

[Brumby Runner]

With the limited space available to young guys it would be a terrible decision to go with journeyman around 30 years old. We need to bring some guys through in the system, even if they are mostly playing shield. get them into a full time professional environment. If there is a bunch of injuries turn to an old head to fill the squad.
Unfortunately Wes Thomas is no chance as Rats players do not get picked for the tahs, even if they win the premiership.

They've provided a few good Brumbies/Wallabies over the years though.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Havent they. Fardy, Gerrard, McCabe, Reimer

 

[Homer]

Reimer is a brumby, im talking about the tahs. Currently two in the wider squad and 1 match started this year. When did Fardy, Gerrard and Mcabe last play.
Finished 2nd on the ladder behind easts who have 943 contracted players.

 

[fatprop]

Horton is a pretty good footballer, just a bit small and as a result not a great scrummager. Even if we go with him, however, I think history would show you really need four hookers in your squad.

He is likely to be available in April if we need him

 

[Overtime]

Dam how could of we let ex Barker player Pollard out of our sites. Grrrrrrrrrrr

 

[teamsport]

With the limited space available to young guys it would be a terrible decision to go with journeyman around 30 years old. We need to bring some guys through in the system, even if they are mostly playing shield. get them into a full time professional environment. If there is a bunch of injuries turn to an old head to fill the squad.
Unfortunately Wes Thomas is no chance as Rats players do not get picked for the tahs, even if they win the premiership.

Well Wes Thomas & Horton are the same age so taking a punt on Wes Thomas would be a hail mary.

They will not go into the season with four inexperienced hookers i.e Moananu, Dobbins & Oniti Finau (who is appearing on Waratahs unavailable lists).

Finau is obviously a long term plan, Moananu I assume will start & Dobbins well we don't even know if he is really up to it yet do we.

They need someone as a stop gap for a year or two so we don't get absolutely destroyed at set peice.

On these same sheets I have seen it seems Jack Grant has dropped off and Michael McDonald is on them.

The names they have are of which some are obviously in the Academy.

Jack Barrett
Austin Durbridge
Toby Brial
Hwi Sharples
Sid Harvey
Jackson Ropata
James Hendren
Otto Serfontein
Zach Fittler
Michael McDonald

(all available for Shute Shield this weekend).

Unavailable -

David Porecki (we know he is gone)
Jake Gordon (Wallabies)
Joseph Sua'ali'i (Wallabies)
Andrew Kellaway (Wallabies)
Max Jorgensen (Wallabies)
Charlie Gamble
Jamie Adamson
Jack Bowen
Archie Saunders
Triston Reilly
Lawson Creighton
Henry O'Donnell
Will Goddard (ACL Injury)
Miles Amatosero
Matt Philip (Uni out)
Leo Jacques
Apolosi Ranawai
Tom Lambert (Uni out)
Eamon Doyle (Uni out)
Oniti Finau
Ethan Dobbins (Uni out)
Leafi Talaitaina (Uni out)
Teddy Wilson
Joey Fowler (Uni out)
Joey Walton (Gordon out)
Dan Botha (Uni out)
Ben Grant (Uni out)
Sifa Amone
Isaac Kailea

 

[teamsport]

Which drops the following players off the list from last season (some already announced)-

Adrian Brown
Angus Bell (Overseas)
Clem Halaholo
Darby Lancaster
Felix Kalapu
Fergus Lee Warner
Hugh Sinclair
Jack Grant
Julian Heaven (Overseas)
Lalakai Foketi (Overseas)
Langi Gleeson (Overseas)
Mahe Vailanu (Overseas)
Mesu Kunavula
Rob Leota (Overseas)
Tane Edmed (Brumbies)
Taniela Tupou (Overseas)

Last season they announced in the Super Rugby squad. I imagine

Austin Durbridge
Toby Brial
Hwi Sharples
Sid Harvey
Otto Serfontein
Zach Fittler
Will Goddard
Leo Jacques

Would all be EPS.

Eamon Doyle
Oniti Finau
Jackson Ropata
James Hendren

Might be upgraded?

 

[Cockatoo Run]

Eamon Doyle is contracted but apparently has injured his knee last week at training, has had surgery and is now out for 6 months.