Waratahs 2021

[Brumby Jack]

Jack Dempsey has signed for Glasgow from the end of this season

 

[Pfitzy]

Well, fuck.

 

[Adam84]

Looks like RA have agreed to release him early as well, so won’t be around for the test matches

 

[Jimmyjam]

Fortunately Backrow is the one position we are fairly deep in. Assuming Hooper returns for 2022 then we still have Swinton, Hooper and likely Harris as starters with Tizzano on the bench. Not a complete disaster

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Jack Dempsey has signed for Glasgow from the end of this season

A different environment might do him some favours. Hopefully he comes back at some point.

 

[Pfitzy]

A different environment might be him some favours. Hopefully he comes back at some point.

Will be 28 when he comes back, so depends what role he's given up north.

 

[Derpus]

How long for?

 

[Braveheart81]

How long for?

One season so far it seems.

Dempsey's main problem has been all the injuries.

He played his first Super Rugby games in 2015 but has only played 44 in total. Since his debut there have been more than 75 games and he'd have been picked in pretty much all of them if available.

 

[Derpus]

He seems a prime candidate for poaching. Capped international currently on the outer with the national side. Not sure why the Wallabies are releasing him early though. What if he turns out to be our form backrower?

 

[rodha]

Jack Dempsey has signed for Glasgow from the end of this season

Seems to be quite a few players exiting the Tahs over last 18 months, and with Holloway & Robertson's claims about the direction under Penney, it makes you wonder a bit doesn't it?

 

[Pfitzy]

One of Dempsey's problems is which role he fits into in the Test Rugby scene.

Not big enough for 6 or 8, tho he is certainly abrasive enough. Not a fetcher tho he can be good over the ball. He's hamstrung by versatility, to a degree. There are guys who are better than him at each role, tho he's a good utility.

 

[Pfitzy]

Seems to be quite a few players exiting the Tahs over last 18 months, and with Holloway & Robertson's claims about the direction under Penney, it makes you wonder a bit doesn't it?

Robertson's comments are interesting to me:

https://7news.com.au/sport/rugby-union/i-wasnt-happy-at-waratahs-tom-robertson-c-1963318

"I wasn't that happy at the Waratahs to be honest," Robertson said on Friday.

"I was considering staying there for another two years, but in the end the upside to the Force was too big to ignore.

"There's a lot of off-field issues at the Waratahs. I love the players there. The player group is amazing. But just coming over here, it's a breath of fresh air.

"Having a new coaching staff, a new performance staff, and dealing with new people has really reinvigorated my rugby, so hopefully I can keep that going."

I get that. There are off-field issues, and he probably won't go into depth, but is enjoying a change of environment.

The article goes on to say:

. . . Robertson said the security of the Andrew Forrest-owned Force was a huge plus.

"Being privately owned by the Forrest family is a big advantage to this club, and having that financial security," he said.

You could easily infer that Robertson asked for more money and didn't get it Over East.

 

[Froggy]

As Rennie mentioned in his assessment, his biggest issue is work rate, which is probably partly due to so many of his games being fresh back from an injury lay-off.
As to direction under Penney, it's a bit hard to assess from outside the tent. In the case of Holloway, he's a guy who has just never developed under Cheika, Gibson or Penney, despite plenty of apparent talent. Don't think he can blame any coach for that. Robertson is a different story, he's been a very good servant for the Tahs, I always assumed he was moving on because of the spectre of a younger and bigger Angus Bell ready to tip him out of the starting side. Perhaps it's a personality clash between him and Penney, perhaps there is a problem, it's hard to know.

 

[fatprop]

Robertson's comments are interesting to me:

https://7news.com.au/sport/rugby-union/i-wasnt-happy-at-waratahs-tom-robertson-c-1963318



I get that. There are off-field issues, and he probably won't go into depth, but is enjoying a change of environment.

The article goes on to say:




You could easily infer that Robertson asked for more money and didn't get it Over East.

These guys have been on cut wages last season and then the Tahs cut their player budget, add to that RA has cut the number of top ups

These guys have mortgages and families to feed

 

[upthereds#!]

Dempsey would have been offered FA compared to his last contract where he had a topup. Take at least a 50% drop on the next contract and with no real consideration by wallaby overlords, or bail. I choose bail. $$$

More $ free for Skelton.

 

[Derpus]

Dempsey would have been offered FA compared to his last contract where he had a topup. Take at least a 50% drop on the next contract and with no real consideration by wallaby overlords, or bail. I choose bail. $$$

More $ free for Skelton.

Apparently Skelton hasn't seemed as grand when not surrounded by Salary Cap Sarries

 

[fatprop]

 

[fatprop]

 

[Pass it to Dunning!]

I'm not carrying on under any assumption that any Australian playing in Europe will come back. Much more money, a better lifestyle and less politics. I'm a little mystified that any Australian who gets a good contract offer in Europe doesn't jump at it.

 

[Blackadder]

Penney says Sammy is out until after the Bye round. Does that mean Sam Wykes?

If so one of the Young locks will be getting a run.