Waratahs 2014

[Jets]

I think I read that HSBC were leaving due to back house issues at the Tahs. They have changed their global marketing strategy and have dropped a few other sponsorships too.

Will be interesting to see who steps up to fill the void. When St George took over as major sponsor of the Reds it was at a discount price, as they were a sleeve sponsor the previous year.

 

[TOCC]

St George still paid market value for the Reds, the biggest problem they made was not going for a longer contract(it was only a 12month contract). After the Reds 2011 season the price tag jumped considerably..

The Waratah's wont have any trouble finding a new sponsor, if its true HSBC have informed them they wont be continuing on they have done right by the Tahs by allowing them considerable time to search for a new one.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Anyone know how likely Chapman is to stick around for 2014?

 

[Richo]

As a disgruntled former customer of HSBC, I'm fine seeing them go.

Perhaps a new sponsor might kick in some third party action to help keep Izzy around?

 

[Sandpit Fan]

As a disgruntled former customer of HSBC, I'm fine seeing them go.

HSBC only has two types of customer. People who believe the advertising and sign up, then in due course become disgruntled former customers. Don't get me started! Global banking my arse.

 

[Lee Grant]

Lance and Grey are good acquisitions

I thought Lopeti Timani was the successor to Palu and was sorry to see him go, but maybe he can fix up his handling problems in Melbourne and learn where the back gate is in a ruck.

He is a potential Wallaby no.8 because he's a destructive runner, and is causing a lot of grief in the Shute Shield at the minute. If he can get to be good enough to replace Delve when the Welshman leaves the Rebels, it will be good for Oz rugby.

I'm not sure if he was let go, or if they sourced Grey only after Lopeti said he was leaving; but Cheika takes firm views about players and I wouldn't be surprised if Lopeti is a casualty.

I've watched Grey playing for Biarritz, with DHP, in the last couple of years and he's going OK (though Biarritz isn't) but the news item from the Waratahs that he was 113kgs sounds a bit hopeful.

Lance would be the replacement for Barnes. He's doing a fair job for the Reds as a fullback but he belongs closer in. I'd like to see him get a good shake at playing flyhalf at the Tahs.

Foley has done well and hopefully he can round out his game as he gets more experience, but he has these episodes when it becomes clear that he doesn't have a huge backlog of know-how in what to do in emergencies, in particular, and how to manage a game, in general.



PS - At the presser on Saturday, Cheika said he wanted to keep Horne, but there were salary cap issues (in general; not pertaining to Horne, in particular.)

PPS - It's also good news that Palu is staying after all. The more ethnic Tongans that stay, the higher the chances that Izzy will too.
.

 

[Lindommer]

It's also good news that Palu is staying after all. The more ethnic Tongans that stay, the higher the chances that Izzy will too.

Lee, where did you read this? Excellent news.

 

[Lee Grant]

Lee, where did you read this? Excellent news.

Jamie Pandaram in the Daily Telegraph

THE retention of Team Tonga's core is set to be the final nail in the coffin for NRL clubs chasing Israel Folau.

Wycliff Palu's decision to remain in Australia caps the re-signings of "the big three" in NSW's famed Tongan clique, including Tatafu Polota-Nau and Sekope Kepu, and their close friendship with fellow Tongan Folau will likely sway the cross-code star to remain in rugby.

Sources confirmed last night that Palu will re-sign with the Waratahs and ARU for a further two years, taking him through to the 2015 World Cup, which follows similar extensions for Polota-Nau and Kepu.

It is another coup for Australian rugby, given Palu was pursued heavily in Japan.

*******************************

Jamie doesn't get a lot wrong
.

 

[Braveheart81]

Great news!


The crucial ones to put pen to paper with now are Robbo, Douglas, Foley, Folau, Horne and Kingston.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Robinson, Douglas, Foley and Kingston will stay. Folau and Horne are the ones that might be a struggle to retain - I know the Rebels are trying to sweet-talk the 12s in Super Rugby.

 

[fatprop]

Robinson, Douglas, Foley and Kingston will stay. Folau and Horne are the ones that might be a struggle to retain - I know the Rebels are trying to sweet-talk the 12s in Super Rugby.

12s? funny every time they play Mitchell there he goes well

 

[Lee Grant]

The signing of Lance may compromise the re-signing of Horne.

It will be a pity if Horne is lost because of salary cap issues — the combo of 12. Horne and 13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is working better on both attack and defence than any other Tahs' midfield has for some time.
.

 

[Braveheart81]

The signing of Lance may compromise the re-signing of Horne.

It will be a pity if Horne is lost because of salary cap issues — the combo of 12. Horne and 13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is working better on both attack and defence than any other Tahs' midfield has for some time.
.

Possibly but with Barnes and Mitchell leaving you'd think that gives some space. Surely Lance is being paid less than either of them. Folau might take a little bit out of the additional pay but he was already on a good salary. Certainly Turner should go and we should get someone cheaper for his spot. Horne was surely on a pretty decent contract to begin with.

You'd imagine that Tala Grey is a pretty direct swap for Lopeti Timani. He must be taking a pay cut to return to Australia to try and prove himself here.

Sitaleki Timani leaving frees up some cash but presumably some of our key forwards needed more money and that is being dispersed there.

It would be interesting to know how much money they have to play with and how it is committed. Cheika talking about restructuring contracts in NSW and trying to make it make more sense in terms of rewarding performance is interesting. I wonder if he is getting them to buy into more discretionary pay based on who is actually playing for the team?

 

[fatprop]

Quite happy to see Lopeti replaced with someone who can catch and make decent decisions

 

[Iluvmyfooty]

Jamie Pandaram in the Daily Telegraph

THE retention of Team Tonga's core is set to be the final nail in the coffin for NRL clubs chasing Israel Folau.

Wycliff Palu's decision to remain in Australia caps the re-signings of "the big three" in NSW's famed Tongan clique, including Tatafu Polota-Nau and Sekope Kepu, and their close friendship with fellow Tongan Folau will likely sway the cross-code star to remain in rugby.

Sources confirmed last night that Palu will re-sign with the Waratahs and ARU for a further two years, taking him through to the 2015 World Cup, which follows similar extensions for Polota-Nau and Kepu.

It is another coup for Australian rugby, given Palu was pursued heavily in Japan.

*******************************

Jamie doesn't get a lot wrong
.

Just to beat my own drum here - see posts 541 and 547 in the "Thoughts on Folau to Rugby" thread

 

[Braveheart81]

Maybe I should start wearing my Tonga jersey to Tahs games.

Or loan it to Dave Dennis to see if that will get him into Team Tonga.

 

[Sully]

Just to beat my own drum here - see posts 541 and 547 in the "Thoughts on Folau to Rugby" thread

Yes I will head straight over there and search the thread for them.

Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk HD

 

[Bowside]

I can understand why the tahs signed Lance, but if they also get Beale, I suspect lance will spend a bit of time on the bench whilst Foley, Horne and Beale start at 10,12 and 15 respectively. Although 2 of the 3 I just mentioned are very injury prone so he will probably get plenty of starts.

As much as I hate the tahs I really do hope they manage to sign both Beale and Folau.

Imagine if they could put out:

Phipps
Foley
Crawford
Horne
AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
Folau
Beale

Lucas
Lance
Kingston

Very balanced backline, the only real weakness being Phipps and to a lesser extent Foley.

 

[Lee Grant]

Just to beat my own drum here - see posts 541 and 547 in the "Thoughts on Folau to Rugby" thread

So long as it is only the drum.
.

 

[something]

Everything seems to be coming together at this stage for the tahs 2014. i think they will be a real threat next year