Waratahs 2013

[fatprop]

The changes appear to be rolling along, so I thought it deserved a new thread

Tahs say no thanks to failed five

RUCK AND MAUL
Expect plenty of new faces at the Waratahs next year. According to our Waratahs snouts, five squad members have in the past week been told they will not be getting contract extensions. One of those about to be chopped is a long-standing player who is very popular with his teammates.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/tahs-say-no-thanks-to-failed-five-20120315-1v8cx.html#ixzz1pDk4NGNJ

McKibbin's bound for Scotland

• Iain Payten and Jamie Pandaram
• The Daily Telegraph
• March 09, 2012 12:00AM

WARATAHS back-up halfback Brendan McKibbin is poised to defect to Europe next season in a bid to play international rugby.
McKibbin, born in Scotland, has had firm approaches from Murrayfield's selectors about donning the royal blue in future. He simply needs to be playing in Europe to be considered, given he has automatic access to a Scottish passport.

Scotland have continued to struggle in the recent Six Nations with three losses, and could use a player of McKibbin's pace while his razor-sharp goal-kicking would also appeal.

Scotland's recent acquisition of Reds defensive coach Matt Taylor shows they are taking a keen interest in Australian talent, and the No.9 is not on the Wallabies' radar.

McKibbin has been luckless in his quest for a starting Super Rugby berth, firstly losing out to Will Genia in Queensland, then spending two years behind Luke Burgess and this season playing a secondary role to Sarel Pretorius, who is signed until the end of next year.

 

[qwerty51]

The bolded one is surely Carter, assuming one is McKibbin any guesses on the other 3?

 

[Braveheart81]

I'd guess that BKH will struggle to get another contract.

The other option for the bolded one would be Dean Mumm I guess.

Dan Vickerman would be a fairly obvious one to be in that five and I'd say that probably isn't big news for either party given his likely retirement.

 

[qwerty51]

Can't see why Mumm wouldn't be offered a contract, with Vickerman gone we're down to 4 locks and Peterson is not ready and tbh I don't think he will be... Pocock is off contract, maybe a seven has to go to make way for him.

 

[Joe Mac]

There is a big question mark under who they will recruit to fill the void left by the 5 departing players. The talent is spread pretty thin across the five franchises at the moment.

Can LG or another member shed some light on some talented up-and-comers?

 

[qwerty51]

Also talk of raising the squads to 40, it's already shown what a joke 30 is, the Tahs don't have anyone left in the 30.

 

[Gnostic]

I would hope for late sanity and cutting Elsom & Vickerman as neither have or are likely to play much or any role in the Tahs on the field. Cutting both would free up some funds to invest in some youth. The hate for TC is rediculous. Any good side needs strong consistant performers to go along with the stars and do the basics well. Carter provides great depth for the squad and is totally reliable. Without him the squad is very thin depth wise IMO bearing in mind I am not and never have been an avid fan of his. That doesnt mean I dont understand his value to the squad. The same can be said for A. Fainga'a, Fairbanks et al

 

[barbarian]

Carter, Hangers, Mumm, Vickerman, McKibben???

 

[fatprop]

Also talk of raising the squads to 40, it's already shown what a joke 30 is, the Tahs don't have anyone left in the 30.

The Tahs seem to have a load of units "not in the squad" but training with them and I would be amazed that other teams aren't doing the same

So in reality the "30" is an accounting farce from the ARU

With McKibbin leaving I would hope Wessells gets a contract and they do some development., but that would depend on whether Foley is confident the Hart can be acceptable cover.

 

[fatprop]

Carter, Hangers, Mumm, Vickerman, McKibben???

More Bracken Henry in the mix than Hangers

 

[qwerty51]

Definitely not Hangers, he just got the captaincy..

 

[MrTimms]

Scott Bowen saying Grumbles is off his chops?

@geerob: Waratahs assistant coach Scott Bowen says reports 5 players have been told their contracts will not be renewed are "absolutely not" true

At the very least it gives us something to talk about...

 

[redstragic]

Definitely not Hangers, he just got the captaincy..

He may be the captain but he didn't make the leadership group. I reckon they'll chop him and he can continue captaining from Japan or France via Skype.

 

[Braveheart81]

Can't see why Mumm wouldn't be offered a contract, with Vickerman gone we're down to 4 locks and Peterson is not ready and tbh I don't think he will be... Pocock is off contract, maybe a seven has to go to make way for him.

I can only see them getting rid of Mumm if they have someone else in mind to sign. I wonder if any locks are off contract at the end of 2012? Hugh Pyle would be awesome, Peter Kimlin or Sam Wykes would be reasonable.

Elsom signed more than a one year contract didn't he, so he will still be here for 2013.

 

[matty_k]

Scott Bowen saying Grumbles is off his chops?



At the very least it gives us something to talk about...

Or just something to ignore.

I wonder if there is some insider, pal, fellow diner, someone close to a source or observer who likes to feed tidbits of information to Grumbles to see what he will bite on.

 

[Braveheart81]

I wonder if there is some insider, pal, fellow diner, someone close to a source or observer who likes to feed tidbits of information to Grumbles to see what he will bite on.

If that insider feeding tidbits of information to Grumbles is the tail end of a bull then you might be on to something.

 

[DPK]

Could this be the Tahs cutting the cord with Uni?

 

[waratahjesus]

I was at Tah HQ this arvo and saw Mick Foley. Said hi, he patted me on the shoulder and said hi back.

Does anyone actually know any contract lengths for the Tahs?

Rocky signed for 2
Sarel signed for 2

Who else?

 

[fatprop]

Could this be the Tahs cutting the cord with Uni?

why would think there is a need?

 

[SuperGrover]

Also talk of raising the squads to 40, it's already shown what a joke 30 is, the Tahs don't have anyone left in the 30.

With the recent introduction of a salary cap, reduced squad numbers and a cut in the number of ARU top-ups offered, I jut can't see increasing squads to 40 being within the ARU's current policies.