Waratahs 2021

[Blackadder]

If only there were some to find...

Depends on how hard management are looking

 

[cyclopath]

Depends on how hard management are looking

The good ones are gone. Sadly. Quality like Arnold, Rodda, Skelton, Coleman are fantasies. But hopefully there are some stones to turn.........

 

[Derpus]

The good ones are gone. Sadly. Quality like Arnold, Rodda, Skelton, Coleman are fantasies. But hopefully there are some stones to turn...

Skelton would be worth every cent we could throw at him.

 

[Blackadder]

Skelton would be worth every cent we could throw at him.

Australia already tried he turned us down

 

[cyclopath]

He really would be a great "get". Seems to be a much more polished player now.

 

[Up the Guts]

Skelton would turn the whole complexion of the side on its head. When we’re not so focused on the hole in the second row we’ve actually got an underrated front-row of Bell-Horton-HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes), a strong 6 and 8 in Dempsey and Swinton, a dynamic halves pairing of Gordon and Harrison and some talent in the backs amongst Maddocks, Ramm, and Moeroa.

 

[Adam84]

Australia already tried he turned us down

If he didn’t come back in a RWC year when he has the opportunity to represent his country, then he isn’t coming back in the post covid era when RA have even less money

 

[Blackadder]

Skelton would turn the whole complexion of the side on its head. When we’re not so focused on the hole in the second row we’ve actually got an underrated front-row of Bell-Horton-HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes), a strong 6 and 8 in Dempsey and Swinton, a dynamic halves pairing of Gordon and Harrison and some talent in the backs amongst Maddocks, Ramm, and Moeroa.

According to the Tahs CEO Dempsey hasn't signed a new contract for next year as of yet but the club is hopeful

 

[TSR]

Skelton would be worth every cent we could throw at him.

I’m not sure he’d come back for $1.55

 

[TSR]

Skelton would turn the whole complexion of the side on its head. When we’re not so focused on the hole in the second row we’ve actually got an underrated front-row of Bell-Horton-HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes), a strong 6 and 8 in Dempsey and Swinton, a dynamic halves pairing of Gordon and Harrison and some talent in the backs amongst Maddocks, Ramm, and Moeroa.

I don’t think they even need a player of Skelton’s calibre. If they could just secure 3 reasonable, hardworking locks they would come right back into calculations. If they signed someone of the calibre of of Skelton or Arnold then they become a realistic title threat.

Bench & broader squad depth would still be a huge issue, but the starting 15 would be very competitive.

I just don’t see where those available locks are though.

 

[TSR]

Hugh Pyle’s name has been mentioned a few times. I can’t see on a search if he is unsigned or not for next year. Is he a realistic option?

 

[Mr Wobbly]

Hugh Pyle’s name has been mentioned a few times. I can’t see on a search if he is unsigned or not for next year. Is he a realistic option?

Nope. He has signed a two year deal with Bayonne. He said recently he would love to play for the Wobs but has no interest in playing Super Rugby.

 

[dru]

I’m not sure he’d come back for $1.55

I can throw in 12c.

 

[Blackadder]

https://nsw.rugby/news/2020/11/20/departing-waratahs-confirmed-ahead-of-2021-pre-season

Rob Simmons

Ned Hanigan

Tom Robertson

Tom Staniforth

Karmichael Hunt

Cam Clark

Ryan McCauley

Michael McDonald

Jed Holloway

Pat Tafa

Andrew Tuala

Mitch Short

Not mentioned already gone:


Mason, Beale, Fitzpatrick, O'Conner,

 

[Blackadder]

So both scrum half depth have gone

 

[Braveheart81]

So both scrum half depth have gone

I would have liked to keep McDonald but hopefully we sign Goddard who I think is an upgrade on Short.

 

[Blackadder]

I would have liked to keep McDonald but hopefully we sign Goddard who I think is an upgrade on Short.

Hopefully we announce players soon

 

[Wilson]

Re-signing Dempsey has become pretty important too, back row depth starting to look pretty thin there.

 

[Blackadder]

Re-signing Dempsey has become pretty important too, back row depth starting to look pretty thin there.

Most of the squad does

 

[7137]

wrt Lock. I half expect Will Harris may do a Jed Holloway and play there as a stop gap solution if Dempsey and Swinton are in the back row. He’s a big unit who loves the tight stuff so I don’t see why he couldn’t make a decent go of it for a year.