Jimmyjam
Watty Friend (18)
That's good news, he is a Super Rugby quality player. Had a stint at the Rebels, was Gordon's best player when they won the SS then had a stint in the US. Tough and experienced, just the sort of guy you need in the squad.
Waratahs 2022
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
Yeh he would have been great for tahs as I am a fan
Former Wallaby Chris Feauai-Sautia signs with Brumbies
The Brumbies have signed former Red and Wallaby Chris Feauai-Sautia for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season.www.rugby.com.au
Baffles me how the Tahs missed out on his signature
What Lee Grant used to term a "halfling".
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
Hopefully tahs behind that ie encouraging players to align with struggling clubs as would be a sensible and appreciated strategyGreat to see Ruan Smith alligning with the Wildfires and Tevita Funa to Western Sydney. Good to see DC getting players to sign with the struggling teams rather than bolstering Sydney Uni/ Randwick.
NSW Waratahs bolster front-row stocks
The NSW Waratahs have bolstered their front-row stocks with a mixture of youth and experience, locking in Ruan...www.newcastleherald.com.au
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
Well looks an improvement on last years squad, forwards more so.The squad so far
Waratahs roster all but finalised as Coleman rolls sleeves up for pre-season
Waratahs coach Darren Coleman admits he has gone to a few “dead-end roads” trying to bolster the team’s roster for the 2022 season.www.smh.com.au
topgun
Billy Sheehan (19)
What on earth is happening to our locking stocks though? Surely there's someone we can call on? Is Sitaleki re-signed for the Force? Where is Luke Jones playing? Where are Sam Jeffries or Harry Hockings playing now? Feels like well be left with our dick in our hands again in the engine room.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Oh fuck off. Can't blame the Wallabies for the Tahs insane levels of ineptitude.
Honestly, not much of a conspiracy theorist BUT if those kiwi's were Christchurch sleeper agents they are in for a fucking promotion.
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Drew
Bob Davidson (42)
Not making excuses for the Tahs recruitment and development these last few years and yes, Gibson has a lot to answer for. I could’ve put the same post on the wallabies thread but someone was asking where the Aussie locks are. I’m simply saying why would any decent lock stay here when the carrot of a gold jersey is taken away and you get paid more to play elsewhere?
topgun
Billy Sheehan (19)
Yeah I can't say I cop that either. Brad Thorn seemed to wave his magic wand a whip a squads worth of reliable hard working locks at the Reds just from kids he saw at clubs and NRC (admittedly he's an absolute taskmaster as well). We've got a few of our own coming through but the last few years have not been shit hot for developing young NSW forwards. Bring back the NRC, if not now; sooner.
Drew
Bob Davidson (42)
I agree we need a third tier. It would’ve helped if NSW had taken it seriously as a development tool. I agree that talent identification and development hasn’t been good enough for many years.
I just see the landscape changing with this NH tour and the picking of OS locks over domestic ones. In my opinion, if that becomes a thing most good locks will look elsewhere to play. If they make the wallabies, great. If they don’t, they get paid more.
Drew
Bob Davidson (42)
Yep. Skelton wasn’t utilised or trained up properly here. Goes OS, learns the game, gets paid massive coin, is now one of the first picked. And as Derpus insinuated that period when we had Gibson coaching, he preferred the smaller more mobile pack which chased off all the developing big locks.
RebelYell
Arch Winning (36)
Jeffries just left NEC for NTT: https://www.instagram.com/p/CUwblTvFMql/
RebelYell
Arch Winning (36)
And Pat Tafa to Kintetsu: https://www.instagram.com/newstarsports/?hl=en
Number 7
Darby Loudon (17)
You're right. Last seasons highest paid players across the Premiership, Top 14 and Pro14 were #10's and locks. See attached graphic which is Esportif's annual player salary analysis.
Attachments
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The problem goes back before Gibson, we had a wallaby laden squad, Super Rugby winning side but the next tier of prime development options knew that if they went elsewhere they would get more game time and more $$$ - and then Wobs contingent all left at once. No one was brave enough to move on important players and refresh the squad
Skelton? one of the coaches said "you can't stop a player going through the KFC drive through after training" he always had immense talent, but it took going O/S for him to find the internal discipline to lean down and keep it off