Waratahs 2026

[Major Tom]

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.

Huh? It’s not really a RA caused problem. More highlights the challenges of list to management. There’s not super side that wouldn’t want more depth in positions. Reds are gonna be light on for 2nd rowers, RA didn’t have a problem getting Blyth to the tahs.

 

[Brumby Runner]

MT it's not the individuals but the overall picture that is particularly concerning. With the level of departures from the Tahs this year (and even at 20% in BH's ideal world), there needs to be recruitment to be able to maintain and manange a roster. None of the franchises can sustain a competitive roster by relying primarily, almost solely, on promotion from the Academy or bringing up amateurs from the local club competition. Sure, it is only August as BH points out, and this year we have the SRAus competition from which we might find a few gems, so we can expect some recruitment yet, but imo both the Tahs and Brumbies are very much behind the 8 ball at this stage. As the managers of the purse, I am quite at ease with pointing the finger at RA for any shortfalls that occur in the 26 rosters.

 

[rugbyAU]

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

I think Potter is obviously a big net gain at this stage

 

[Braveheart81]

The Waratahs in particular were always going to have a lot of turnover for these last two years. 2024 was not re-signing players to make room for Rebels players that were already on contract. 2025 sees the departure of a bunch of those essentially one year contracts as well as a few we'd really prefer not to lose (even if it's just for a season).

The real test will come next season to see if we can get towards a more stable squad that doesn't have too much turnover.

Of the five players the Waratahs have recruited, four are Wallabies. I would guess that a lot of the remaining recruitment will be the promotion of younger players plus a couple who might fit the description of "journeymen".

 

[Tazzmania]

Out of Interest:

 

[Adam84]

Huh? It’s not really a RA caused problem. More highlights the challenges of list to management. There’s not super side that wouldn’t want more depth in positions. Reds are gonna be light on for 2nd rowers, RA didn’t have a problem getting Blyth to the tahs.

In any case. I’m comfortable with RA enforcing that the Brumbies and Waratahs recruit within their budget, and not run up multimillion$$ deficits like they did in previous season. Both teams still have a healthy representation of Wallaby starting XV and players earning good RA top ups.

 

[Major Tom]

MT it's not the individuals but the overall picture that is particularly concerning. With the level of departures from the Tahs this year (and even at 20% in BH's ideal world), there needs to be recruitment to be able to maintain and manange a roster. None of the franchises can sustain a competitive roster by relying primarily, almost solely, on promotion from the Academy or bringing up amateurs from the local club competition. Sure, it is only August as BH points out, and this year we have the SRAus competition from which we might find a few gems, so we can expect some recruitment yet, but imo both the Tahs and Brumbies are very much behind the 8 ball at this stage. As the managers of the purse, I am quite at ease with pointing the finger at RA for any shortfalls that occur in the 26 rosters.

Brumbs need to get smarter at recruitment. Reds went and got Alex Hodgman and Aiden Ross to fill a need at LHP. I’m sure RA assisted but ultimately the reds got it done. Force are also very active trying to get players from different comps in (albeit sometimes strange options). Perhaps you’re right and RA is the problem seeing as they run tahs and brumbs but I reckon a lot of it is their own doing as well.
Also, out of interest I’d love to know where you think the weak points are in the ACT list? Personally I think you should look to trade out either Reimer or Scott to get some players in that you need. They could do with getting more minutes elsewhere.

 

[Crashy]

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.

I said the sponsorship of the Tahs is a safe bet compared to the risk of other codes ( with evidence of this year after year) dragging their brand into the mud. It has a direct comparison with Rugby league when discussing football sponsorships.
I also didnt mention dog rooting, bubbling and gang bangs. Oh and Julian O'Neil.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Brumbs need to get smarter at recruitment. Reds went and got Alex Hodgman and Aiden Ross to fill a need at LHP. I’m sure RA assisted but ultimately the reds got it done. Force are also very active trying to get players from different comps in (albeit sometimes strange options). Perhaps you’re right and RA is the problem seeing as they run tahs and brumbs but I reckon a lot of it is their own doing as well.
Also, out of interest I’d love to know where you think the weak points are in the ACT list? Personally I think you should look to trade out either Reimer or Scott to get some players in that you need. They could do with getting more minutes elsewhere.

I'm not sure who is responsible for recruitment, MT, but as far as I am aware, RA does the contracting. It would seem to me that the body with the moolah would have the greater and final say in who is offered a contract and at what cost.

While this discussion is off thread, for the Brumbies in 2026, if all bodies are fit and available, then I think they have most bases covered in the pack. In the backs, we could probably do with three or four more outside backs given the loss of Wright and Ikitau for the season. Any more detail would be better discussed on the Brumbies thread.

 

[Major Tom]

Understand that this is a Brumbies discussion on a Tahs thread but I'm really just highlighting that every team has their list needs/deficiencies. I support sharing players when it gives the players more game time. Unfortunately, the only way forward is to blood these youngsters and pick up some stop gaps from SS, HC and NPC.

 

[Adam84]

I'm not sure who is responsible for recruitment, MT, but as far as I am aware, RA does the contracting. It would seem to me that the body with the moolah would have the greater and final say in who is offered a contract and at what cost.

This take would seem contrary to the narrative that RA and Brumbies both released at the time it was made official when they agreed to the ‘integrated ownership model’.

“This transition will fully integrate and align the Brumbies’ professional Rugby operations across high-performance (players, coaches, support staff) and commercial operations (sponsorship, marketing, membership, ticketing) with RA’s high-performance and commercial operations, effective from 1 August 2024”.

“Under the proposed partnership, the Brumbies will continue to operate as a standalone entity, maintaining staff in Canberra and remaining largely autonomous with its rugby program, while RA will manage the business”

“The new ACT Brumbies entity will be governed by its own board of directors comprising representatives nominated by RA, the ACT&SNSWRU and RUPA”