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Strange thing to queryI just meant calling his girlfriend Bids (her nickname) seemed over-familiar.
Strange thing to queryI just meant calling his girlfriend Bids (her nickname) seemed over-familiar.
Roets confirmed:
The NSW Waratahs second row will have a touch of international flavour after a young South African-born lock confirmed a move to Sydney today.
Promising 23-year-old lock Le Roux Roets has signed a one-year deal with the NSW Waratahs for the 2019 Super Rugby season.
In his short representative career, Roets has already rubbed shoulders with All Blacks star Dan Carter and Springboks first-five Johan Goosen when he was recruited by French Club Racing for the 2016/2017 academy season.
In South Africa, he played age grade rugby and in the domestic Currie Cup competition for the Lions, Bulls and Pumas.
NSW Waratahs Head Coach Daryl Gibson said Roets brings size and skill to the forwards.
“We first noticed his talent in the Currie Cup and we have been searching for a big, aggressive and physical player who can get us going forward and excels in the set piece,” Gibson said.
“At 135kg, Le Roux fits the profile that we have been wanting to add to our squad. His recruitment will add real competition and depth amongst our current lock options in Rob Simmons, Tom Staniforth, Ryan McCauley and Jed Holloway,” Gibson added.
Roets said he was buoyed by the opportunity to play for the 2018 Super Rugby semi-finalists.
“My goal was to be selected for a Super Rugby team and to have the chance to play for the NSW Waratahs is amazing. This is a team that has won a championship title and in watching them play in 2018, I cannot wait to be part of them doing even better this year,” Roets said.
The Waratahs are yet to announce their full 2019 Super Rugby squad, with Karmichael Hunt and Adam Ashley-Cooper likely to be in the final mix.
IN: Rory O'Connor, Le Roux Roets, John Folau, Karmichael Hunt (TBC)
OUT: Paddy Ryan, Matt Sandell, Kalivate Tawake, Hugh Roach, Kelly Meafua, Brad Wilkin, Mick Snowden (short-term), Irae Simone, Andrew Kellaway, Taqele Naiyaravoro
Props
Angus Bell, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Sekope Kepu, Rory O'Connor, Tom Robertson, Shambeckler Vui, Cody Walker
Hookers
Damien Fitzpatrick, Tolu Latu
Locks
Ned Hanigan, Ryan McCauley, Le Roux Roets, Rob Simmons, Tom Staniforth
Loose Forwards
Jack Dempsey, Will Harris, Michael Hooper, Will Miller, Lachie Swinton, Michael Wells, Jed Holloway
Halfbacks
Jake Gordon, Nick Phipps
Flyhalves
Bernard Foley, Mack Mason, Will Harrison (EPS)
Centres
Kurtley Beale, Lalakai Foketi, Karmichael Hunt (TBC),
Outside backs
Cam Clark, Alex Newsome, John Folau, Curtis Rona, Israel Folau
Squads were bigger than normal last year to accommodate disenfranchised Force players into Super Rugby squads.There are still 35 players which seems like the normThat's 4 new guys and we lost 10. Are we lining up to play 13 a side this year?
That's 4 new guys and we lost 10. Are we lining up to play 13 a side this year?
I would say a few kids re eps etc as well as a few spots to be filled.
I like the second option for the backs (assuming KHunt and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) sign). The pack looks about right. Good to have a Miller and Wells around that could put Ned in lock if needed. Depth at prop without Robertson seems biggest concern to me, but Tahs not alone in this regardBe interesting to see how the big fella goes.. call me cynical, but I recall the tahs going down this path not that long ago with old mate Hendrik 'Dud' Roodt.
Anyway, on the assumption that we will also be confirming the acquisition of K Hunt + AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), the backline looks pretty solid with some real quality, issue being the when key guys are rested/injured the depth is a bit thin in the o/s backs. Still don't see the 15 tries scored by by Big T being replaced, but adding in AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and K Hunt we will probably only need to find 5 more as the defence will be a LOT stiffer!!
The first starting backline will be very interesting with most of them being able to play multiple positions at a high level. My backline would look something like this.
15. Beale
14. Rona
13. Folau
12. K Hunt
11. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
10. Foley
9. Gordon
I also don't mind the look of this back 5 configuration
15. Folau
14. Rona
13. K Hunt
12. Beale
11. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
Or even
15. Beale
14. Folau
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)
12. K Hunt
11. Rona
With Mason, Foketi, Clark and Newsome fighting for the bench spots. If the forwards can get a bit more punch in A and D we could have an even better 2019
Losing Robertson was a big blow, Slipper would have been a great acquisition under the circumstances..
Back-row looks better with JD back to fitness
Starting pack to look something like this
Kepu
Latu
HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes)
Simmons
Holloway /MacAuley
Hanigan
Hooper
Dempsey
Still looking a bit light for my liking, however if the big Saffa unit fires, then that changes the game.. Shifts Holloway to the backrow with Hanigan to the bench and who knows..
"Their flexibility would potentially allow Gibson to rest some of his big-name backs including Bernard Foley, Kurtley Beale and Israel Folau, all of whom play big minutes."
No. Their flexibility might make it easier to rest the big-name backs, but rested they will be regardless, according to the new found co-operative partnerships between the Wallabies and the Super Rugby sides.
Beyond meLucky KB (Kurtley Beale) plays for us and not the reds