Waratahs 2013

[Dave Beat]

What does this even mean? Mumm is gone, Douglas is a fringe Wallaby and the third, a typo (?) which I assume refers to Sitaleki Timani, seems quite silly given the man's recent performances for the Wallabies. While it would be nice to obtain a specialist lock, this seems one area in which the Waratahs have a firm foundation.

Fixation was the wrong word (sorry) Peterson does sit behind the 3 we still have but still serving his apprenticeship. I still think he deserves a year x year EPS.

 

[Sandpit Fan]

Surely this is pie in the sky stuff.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...ops-tripleheader-hit-list-20120901-2572l.html

Must have been some hallucinogenic mushrooms in that pie.

Although in all seriousness, someone is giving him the story to run with. If you're a Waratahs supporter, be afraid, be very afraid. Nothing wrong with ambitious plans, but this sounds like the product of a massive night topped off with a spiked drink.

 

[p.Tah]

Must have been some hallucinogenic mushrooms in that pie.

It's true. The Tahs have also invented a rejuvenating serum and will sign Lomu on the wing to replace Drew Mitchell.

The only point in that article I believe is that they're talking to Blake.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Surely this is pie in the sky stuff.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...ops-tripleheader-hit-list-20120901-2572l.html

Tahs dare to dream: SBW tops triple-header hit list


A SENIOR NSW official is involved in an audacious plan to create a 2013 Waratahs dream team revolving around Ewen McKenzie, Phil Blake and Sonny Bill Williams.

The Sun-Herald has been told a high-profile Waratahs official has, in conjunction with several rugby powerbrokers and at least two player managers, been working on bringing back McKenzie as head coach, installing Blake as his assistant and signing dual international Williams as their marquee player.

This dramatic development is understood to be a major reason why there has been a delay in the announcement of the Waratahs coach to
replace Michael Foley.

Those involved in trying to revive the ailing franchise, after a dreadful season where the Tahs slumped to 11th spot, realise they need big names to bring back the crowds. And they know the return of McKenzie, who took the Queensland Reds to a Super Rugby title last year after being dumped by NSW in 2008, will excite local supporters - especially as many firmly believe he has been the best Waratahs coach of the professional era. Also the sight of Williams in the Waratahs colours would lead to sell-out home games.
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Williams, who starred in the centres for the All Blacks in their recent victories over the Wallabies, is expected to appear for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL next year on a handshake deal, but sources say there ''is a hiccup''. If the Tahs landed Williams, he would be listed as an import, meaning the Tahs would punt out-of-favour South African halfback Sarel Pretorius.

The push for former NRL player Blake to move to the Waratahs is also strong, after filling the role of caretaker coach at Western Force following Richard Graham's departure to the Reds. Blake was a Wallabies assistant coach for several years.

The Waratahs official involved in this plan has deliberately kept it secret from several members of the coaching selection panel. All that is being said is there are ''two more coaching interviews to go''.

And it appears McKenzie is in demand on several fronts at the Waratahs. Sources confirmed there was recently a concerted push from other influential NSW rugby figures for McKenzie to be the Waratahs' next chief executive officer, taking over from Jason Allen. But Waratahs supporters should not yet start celebrating the possibility of McKenzie and Williams being at Moore Park in 2013. There are many hurdles.

For Williams to be lured to NSW, it would require massive third-party deals, and this would put the Waratahs in conflict with the ARU, which frowns on such arrangements. Also the Waratahs could not ask the ARU for a contractual top-up, because Williams, by representing the All Blacks, is not eligible to play for the Wallabies.

What's more, McKenzie is firmly entrenched at the Reds, where he has been very happy with their administrative structure. He is also probably waiting to see how Robbie Deans fares during the Rugby Championship, because if the Test team continues to falter, there is a strong possibility that McKenzie will be the next Wallabies coach.

The delay in the Waratahs head coach announcement has caused major dramas at head office. Numerous members of this season's Waratahs staff are concerned about their future. They are unimpressed in not getting any answers from the hierarchy. Several are unhappy to be told by a Waratahs administrator: ''You blokes are lucky to still have a job, so leave me to do mine.''

GG must be off his medication.
On and on he speculates - until the third last paragraph:

"For Williams to be lured to NSW, it would require massive third-party deals, and this would put the Waratahs in conflict with the ARU, which frowns on such arrangements. Also the Waratahs could not ask the ARU for a contractual top-up, because Williams, by representing the All Blacks, is not eligible to play for the Wallabies.

What's more, McKenzie is firmly entrenched at the Reds, where he has been very happy with their administrative structure. He is also probably waiting to see how Robbie Deans fares during the Rugby Championship, because if the Test team continues to falter, there is a strong possibility that McKenzie will be the next Wallabies coach."

In other words there's not a single aspect of this cunning plan (as used by Baldrick) that can be executed without a legal shit storm ensuing, probably involving 2 provinces who really need to worry about how they're traveling on the field rather than in the courtroom.
if the truth is that there is a hiccup with the Roosters SBW would surely play s15 in NZ so he is eligible for the ABs.


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[It is what it is]

GG must be off his medication.
On and on he speculates - until the third last paragraph:

"For Williams to be lured to NSW, it would require massive third-party deals, and this would put the Waratahs in conflict with the ARU, which frowns on such arrangements. Also the Waratahs could not ask the ARU for a contractual top-up, because Williams, by representing the All Blacks, is not eligible to play for the Wallabies.

What's more, McKenzie is firmly entrenched at the Reds, where he has been very happy with their administrative structure. He is also probably waiting to see how Robbie Deans fares during the Rugby Championship, because if the Test team continues to falter, there is a strong possibility that McKenzie will be the next Wallabies coach."

In other words there's not a single aspect of this cunning plan (as used by Baldrick) that can be executed without a legal shit storm ensuing, probably involving 2 provinces who really need to worry about how they're traveling on the field rather than in the courtroom.
if the truth is that there is a hiccup with the Roosters SBW would surely play s15 in NZ so he is eligible for the ABs.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Where is SBW's shake of the hand commitment to Nick Politis at the Roosters in all of this?
Isn't Sonny a man of honor?

 

[fatprop]

Where is SBW's shake of the hand commitment to Nick Politis at the Roosters in all of this?
Isn't Sonny a man of honor?

sunday paper bullshit

the other one has SBW

Sonny Bill Williams is looking to entice Quade Cooper to play NRL

• Jamie Pandaram
• The Sunday Telegraph
• September 02, 2012 12:00AM

Sonny Bill Williams (R) wants to lure Quade Cooper to the NRL. Picture: Luke Marsden Source: The Daily Telegraph
SONNY Bill Williams is boldly trying to lure Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper to the NRL next year.
In a stunning development, Williams admits he is speaking to his close friend about switching codes and playing alongside him in 2013.
Cooper, who this year agreed to remain at the Queensland Reds for a further three seasons, has not signed his binding top-up deal with the ARU and remains a free agent.
Williams, who will return to the NRL next year after a stint in Japanese rugby, is stunned that Cooper's value to the Wallabies is under question and wants to form a league alliance between two of rugby's most recognised names.
"If people are saying he is not wanted in rugby - first off, I think they are crazy and don't know what they're talking about - but if they think he is not good enough to be playing for Australia then I would love to lure him across to rugby league for a year," Williams said from Japan.

"I will try. I would definitely love to play alongside him. I think he would be a success. I have spoken to him about it. He would be great to run off."
While Williams has not confirmed which NRL club he will join, he has been heavily linked to the Roosters.
Both Williams and Cooper are managed by Khoder Nasser and have wanted to play together for some time.
Cooper, 24, will gather with Wallabies teammates today in Perth, where they will prepare for this Saturday's Test against South Africa.


Quade Cooper of the Wallabies passes during The Rugby Championship Bledisloe Cup match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Australian Wallabies at Eden Park. Picture: Getty Images Source: The Daily Telegraph
The maligned five-eighth was not picked for the first Bledisloe Cup match, then recalled for the second in Auckland but could do little as the Wallabies forwards were dominated and the team had 39 per cent of possession.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has also used a safety-first attacking style that is at odds with Cooper's unpredictable approach.
Cooper has been under heavy scrutiny in the past 12 months, but Williams who has played with and against the best playmakers in both codes believes he could become a league sensation despite no serious background in the sport.
"His skill-set is definitely right up there, right at the top, what he brings to the table in terms of running, off-loads, kicking, is incredible," Williams said.
"I reckon he would be a huge success, he has definitely got the skill-set to play the 13-man game.
"The biggest difference is that in rugby you are playing on the advantage line, whereas in league the defence is 10m back. Imagine what he could do with that extra space?
"And I think it is easier to make the transition from union to league, rather than going from league to union."
Cooper has never had the luxury of playing alongside an attacking threat like Williams.
A Cooper-Williams combination would not only terrorise any defence, but add significant numbers to viewership and attendances of any code.
Cooper and Williams have become particularly close in the past two years and share the common link of polarising the fans.
"I don't have to make a case for him, you just have to click on YouTube to see what he is capable of," Williams said. "He is such a great talent that he cops a lot of stick, especially in New Zealand. A lot of people have a go at him, but I think that's because he is their biggest threat. It is more of a compliment than anything."

 

[vidiot]

sunday paper bullshit

the other one has SBW

Nasser is negotiating Cooper's top-up from the ARU via SBW and Jamie Pandaram.

 

[TOCC]

Nasser isn't even a accredited NRL agent, he can't be the manager to negotiate SBW's contract

 

[Bruce Ross]

Most of the comments above on the Growden article seem to be focussed on ridiculing the messenger. But what strikes me as very significant about it is the specificity of what he is alleging and in particular the naming of the members of the so-called "Waratahs dream team". It seems highly unlikely that GG would have made it all up or that he has simply had his chained pulled.

I do not for one minute think that this crazy plan has any chance of getting off the ground but I can see reasons why the trio named or their management might have been quite happy for the idea to be floated. What is of more interest to me is the story behind the story, to explore which I have copied specific paragraphs:

A SENIOR NSW official is involved in an audacious plan to create a 2013 Waratahs dream team revolving around Ewen McKenzie, Phil Blake and Sonny Bill Williams.​

The Sun-Herald has been told a high-profile Waratahs official has ... been working on bringing back McKenzie as head coach, installing Blake as his assistant and signing dual international Williams as their marquee player.​

This dramatic development is understood to be a major reason why there has been a delay in the announcement of the Waratahs coach to replace Michael Foley.​

The Waratahs official involved in this plan has deliberately kept it secret from several members of the coaching selection panel. All that is being said is there are ''two more coaching interviews to go''.​

And it appears McKenzie is in demand on several fronts at the Waratahs. Sources confirmed there was recently a concerted push from other influential NSW rugby figures for McKenzie to be the Waratahs' next chief executive officer, taking over from Jason Allen.​

The delay in the Waratahs head coach announcement has caused major dramas at head office. Numerous members of this season's Waratahs staff are concerned about their future. They are unimpressed in not getting any answers from the hierarchy. Several are unhappy to be told by a Waratahs administrator: ''You blokes are lucky to still have a job, so leave me to do mine.''​

​

This seems to reflect even greater divisions at Driver Avenue than we have hitherto suspected, and is perhaps indicative of one or more "high profile Waratahs officials" taking desperate measures to shore up their very shaky positions.

It will end ugly, very ugly, and probably quite soon.
.

 

[Badger]

Slow news day on the rugby front at Fairfax for them to toss this up. Where there's smoke, they must be fire. So one official has gone "rogue"? WTF is going on at Tahs HQ? For a game that relies on team work, the Tahs back office is imploding. How long can they drag the search for a head coach? It can't be helping 2013 season ticket sales, not to mention the morale of the players and (what's left of) the coaching staff.

Tahs HQ should want SBW on board as he will generate much needed publicity and bums on seats. I thought he could be an option in 2014 as his NRL contract is for one year before he head back to NZ in 2015. In addition to third party deals, give him an agreed % percentage of ticket sales over a certain level as he would undoubtedly boost ticket sales.

 

[p.Tah]

Anyone think it is a coincidence that this story is released at the same time as they mail out membership renewal forms?

 

[Ruggo]

I am sure Link will be enthused at the prospect of having an assistant forced upon him. What a brilliant carrot to dangle.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Gonna be good when BPT comes clean and names names of all his sources.

Is the recent opening of Harry's Cafe de Wheels on Parramatta Road at Concord related to the impending departure of BPT from Fairfax?

 

[TOCC]

Went for a ride past the Waratahs 'IBM Centre' today, it's looking rather forlorn in the shadows of the new NRL building

 

[Badger]

Just trying to work out who the high profile senior Tahs official involved in the Link, Blake and SBW story could be. Outside of the players and coaching staff, the highest profile official should be the CEO, but he is rarely sighted. Besides, I don't think he would be audacious enough come up with something like this. Can't think of/name anyone else in the administration. Moving on to the board, I would only consider Al Baxter and Sally Loane as having any profile in the media and community. Again, doubtful either have the clout to pull something like this off.

If it's unlikely to be someone from Waratahs Rugby Ltd, could it be an identity from the NSWRU board? I'm thinking the chairman who would know Link well. I reckon Link could be the coach of team that begins with a "W" by the end of 2012, it just won't be the Waratahs.

Well, that's my stab in the dark. Any other suggestions?

Went for a ride past the Waratahs 'IBM Centre' today, it's looking rather forlorn in the shadows of the new NRL building

If you go along Driver Avenue you wouldn't know it's there as you go past RL Central and the Swans office. Pretty much sums up the state of the Tahs and rugby in Australia at the moment.

 

[p.Tah]

The NRL building is an eyesore, the whole car park area needs to be 'spruced up'

 

[Braveheart81]

If it's unlikely to be someone from Waratahs Rugby Ltd, could it be an identity from the NSWRU board? I'm thinking the chairman who would know Link well. I reckon Link could be the coach of team that begins with a "W" by the end of 2012, it just won't be the Waratahs.

Well, that's my stab in the dark. Any other suggestions?

I think it's Tah Man.

 

[mjw]

If Grumbles is leaving Fairfax, is it beyond him to plant bullshit stories... but then again this story is entirely consistent with all the the other bullshit he has put out over the years. I can't remember the last positive thing he has had to say about anyone.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Can't recall too much in Fairfax, but at a Golf day some years back he did have some nice things to say about the organisers, and the hospitality of the St Michaels Golf Club staff.

 

[BPC]

Just trying to work out who the high profile senior Tahs official involved in the Link, Blake and SBW story could be.

I suspect, given the past behaviour of Tahs management, that everyone from the intern up considered themself a high profile senior official, at least when it comes to anonymously lobbing a gobful on the current organisation.