Waratahs 2025

[Pfitzy]

Apparently Dan McKellar is the new coach.

https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/07/03/exclusive-mckellar-set-to-be-unveiled-as-waratahs-new-coach-as-rebuild-continues/

 

[Pfitzy]

I hope the Waratahs welcome their new Queensland overlords.

We'll teach them how to play the banjo five-fingered.

 

[KiwiM]

Given the state of the squad and how late he has been appointed - he almost needs a mulligan for year 1.

 

[LeCheese]

We'll teach them how to play the banjo five-fingered.

Wait, you guys have 6 digits?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Given the state of the squad and how late he has been appointed - he almost needs a mulligan for year 1.

There is almost no expectation from many I assume. Losing to the Tahs next year should be thoroughly embarrassing.

Pre Season world champs though.

Wonder if over the next couple of season we'll see any players from the ACT find their way to NSW....

 

[Wilson]

There is almost no expectation from many I assume. Losing to the Tahs next year should be thoroughly embarrassing.

Pre Season world champs though.

Wonder if over the next couple of season we'll see any players from the ACT find their way to NSW....

It's always interesting to see what draw a coach has for their former players, but it could also be former Brumbies who've moved on the past few years that McKellar draws in - Pete Samu, Folau Fainga'a, Irae Simone, Scott Sio, Tom Banks, Rory and Ritchie Arnold, Joe Powell, Isaak Fines, Bayley Kuenzle and Reesjan Pasitoa might all be targets. That said a lot of those players don't have a lot of time left in their careers.

McKellar's might also be kicking himself for signing Perese right now, but if it was driven by him he may look to get him back at the end of his contract with Leicester (assuming he can pry him away from Cheika).

 

[Derpus]

It's always interesting to see what draw a coach has for their former players, but it could also be former Brumbies who've moved on the past few years that McKellar draws in - Pete Samu, Folau Fainga'a, Irae Simone, Scott Sio, Tom Banks, Rory and Ritchie Arnold, Joe Powell, Isaak Fines, Bayley Kuenzle and Reesjan Pasitoa might all be targets. That said a lot of those players don't have a lot of time left in their careers.

McKellar's might also be kicking himself for signing Perese right now, but if it was driven by him he may look to get him back at the end of his contract with Leicester (assuming he can pry him away from Cheika).

Give my left nut for those four.

 

[KOB1987]

Give my left nut for those four.

I'm happy for you to sacrifice it as well.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Also guys like Pollard that he would have signed whilst he was finishing school in Sydney. I’d love to see him as he’s coming into his prime.

 

[fatprop]

It will be interesting to see how he does as a coach outside the Brumbies program and into a mess culturally

 

[rugbyAU]

All Queenslanders mate.

some were born in NSW

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Great either way (Wisey or McKellar) I am now more interested in the supporting coaches

 

[Sully]

some were born in NSW

I said Queenslanders! Good day to you sir!

 

[molman]

Yeah, this is something I'd have thought should have been done years ago. RA covers the player wages, and NZR can offload some player contracts for those who are simply no more than club rugby standard.

RA can barelly cover everything else they need to cover. Not sure that this would stack up economically for them. Personally I think a 3rd teir attached to the existing Super is likely the best solution with what we have to work with (heck the players are already contracted and getting paid). Have the squads sans the Internationals playing a comp with all the developmental/pathway players getting game time. If you want to get cute have some NPC crossover games or best of clubland play best of the not-yet-Super teams.

 

[molman]

Give my left nut for those four.

Richie aint all that bad. I'd take a genuine lock of his calibre.

 

[WoodysRFC]

RA can barelly cover everything else they need to cover. Not sure that this would stack up economically for them. Personally I think a 3rd teir attached to the existing Super is likely the best solution with what we have to work with (heck the players are already contracted and getting paid). Have the squads sans the Internationals playing a comp with all the developmental/pathway players getting game time. If you want to get cute have some NPC crossover games or best of clubland play best of the not-yet-Super teams.

So they'd already be contracted and being paid to play in the NPC, minus the expense of running a money losing domestic competition.

 

[molman]

So they'd already be contracted and being paid to play in the NPC, minus the expense of running a money losing domestic competition.

I'm doubtful their contracts cover any such scenario of playing in a foreign competition for another organisation. Not to mention whose paying for all the players living abroad costs?

 

[John S]

It's Official: https://waratahs.rugby/news/dan-mckellar-joins-the-nsw-waratahs-as-head-coach-202474

Dan McKellar new HC for the Tahs

 

[Wilson]

3 year term is a good to see, he's going to need a decent runway to get the tahs back to something reasonable and hopefully build some enduring stability.

 

[Adam84]

3 year term is a good to see, he's going to need a decent runway to get the tahs back to something reasonable and hopefully build some enduring stability.

It demonstrates good intent but doesn't provide much assurance these days.