Waratahs 2025
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Wilson
Rod McCall (65)
Foketi is not really the sort of centre I'm talking about in Walton at 13. That's no knock on him, but Walton is your more reliable, defensive player that helps connect the backline, something similar to what Stewart has offered at both the Reds and Force. I think that Foketi-Walton pairing is the way to go, particularly early on while Sua'ali'i is still finding his feet defensively. I'm sure he'll see time there through the season, but if he's there too permanently too soon, it really risks him being exposed and exploited by mature oposition attacks.
McKellar may get away with playing Sua'ali'i at 13 for the first couple of rounds though, and then switch him out before the games against tougher opposition come to really work his weaknesses.
McKellar may get away with playing Sua'ali'i at 13 for the first couple of rounds though, and then switch him out before the games against tougher opposition come to really work his weaknesses.
The Ghost of Raelene
Michael Lynagh (62)
Walton is playing for a job over the opening few rounds I reckon. With the recruits and guys like Ropata maturing he'll have some pressure. Fuck, remember when they gave him a shot at 15 last year in the trials...
Forwards are thin though as you say. Hope a guy like Talataina can establish himself as a consistent part of the 23.
Forwards are thin though as you say. Hope a guy like Talataina can establish himself as a consistent part of the 23.
The Ghost of Raelene
Michael Lynagh (62)
Over time I think O'Donnell will show to be a better all round player than Walton. He is a goer and maximises his skill set but it is limited like Stewart. You know what you'll get every time which can be comforting at first but eventually it won't be enough when you want them to push to the next level.
While JS does have risks from being a target he also possesses an ability to do things others guys in the side cant. Risk v reward debate, and when the team is coming from last place I think a lot of people could be OK with taking a risk which may speed up his development as well. He's 21 but has a lot more footy experience then his age assumes.
While JS does have risks from being a target he also possesses an ability to do things others guys in the side cant. Risk v reward debate, and when the team is coming from last place I think a lot of people could be OK with taking a risk which may speed up his development as well. He's 21 but has a lot more footy experience then his age assumes.
The Ghost of Raelene
Michael Lynagh (62)
This one wasn't last year I don't think. Havent heard anything either.
Disaster result last year which was a pretty accurate indication of the season ahead so hopefully a much better showing this year. If they can't win it by 25 I'll be fairly worried.
Disaster result last year which was a pretty accurate indication of the season ahead so hopefully a much better showing this year. If they can't win it by 25 I'll be fairly worried.
HarryElite
Sydney Middleton (9)
its live streamed on nswrugbytv i believe, i saw it on the facebook pages somewhere.
looking at the tahs team/squad and the pasifica squad - if tahs dont win by 50, you'd be pretty disappointed.
28 players who have trained full time and had an overseas trial, plenty of super rugby and rep caps against a squad who's had 3 training sessions and most of the better 'islanders' unavailable or not allowed to play, it should be shellacking
looking at the tahs team/squad and the pasifica squad - if tahs dont win by 50, you'd be pretty disappointed.
28 players who have trained full time and had an overseas trial, plenty of super rugby and rep caps against a squad who's had 3 training sessions and most of the better 'islanders' unavailable or not allowed to play, it should be shellacking
The Ghost of Raelene
Michael Lynagh (62)
Good to see the Tahs get the 20s team playing as well.
Keep building for the future.
Keep building for the future.
Love2Scrum
Billy Sheehan (19)
Surprised not to see PI players who were selected for the Tahs U19 in 2024 not playing for the Pasifica team this weekend.
Any reason why they were not allowed to play???
Any reason why they were not allowed to play???
Nuggetyflyhalf
Stan Wickham (3)
NSW can win the comp I rekon.
Yoda
Trevor Allan (34)
The joint will be packed.. they are the Super rugby favourites remember!
The Ghost of Raelene
Michael Lynagh (62)
QLD stalwart. Nice one. You mean former Crusader?
Scots > NSW U18s > Aus U18s > Crusaders > NZ U20s > Reds
He may be the youngest journeyman I can think of. Tizzano could give that a shake having dabbled in the English 2nd Tier.
Toby is a hell of a player. Huge motor and frame. He'd be bigger than his older brother and one I really hope the Tahs hold onto long term.
This one would get more attention if he'd signed anywhere. There's a few guys in the backrow returning from the recent U19s Tahs so may just wait his turn right now. A guy like Doyle has been shifted into the Second Row from 8 in the 19s season so it's a pretty full group of backrowers.
Overall it is a young side with Brial, Fittler, Hartman, Blank all straight out of School. One name I don't see though is Liam Grover who was arguably the form Centre in the 19s but can play Wing easily. Injured?
Happy to see some continuity from sides that have steamrolled through years of rep footy with the NSW 16s and 18s. Guys like Langi are already playing 1st Grade for the SS winners.
Armchair Selector
Syd Malcolm (24)
heres the link to the game. Its free to watch on NSW Rugby TV
nswrugbytv.com.au
Pricing Plans – NSW Rugby TV
nswrugbytv.com.au
Dctarget
David Wilson (68)
Apparently Sua'ali'i has been training at fullback with Jorgensen on the wing.
Little bit annoying from a national view; we have a first class fullback in Wright but we don't have two first class centres. Nor for that matter do the Waratahs. Who's meant to be partnering with Foketi, Kellaway?
Waratahs have great OBs already in Jorgensen, Lancaster and Kellaway.
Little bit annoying from a national view; we have a first class fullback in Wright but we don't have two first class centres. Nor for that matter do the Waratahs. Who's meant to be partnering with Foketi, Kellaway?
Waratahs have great OBs already in Jorgensen, Lancaster and Kellaway.
Wilson
Rod McCall (65)
I don't know, I think he's going to spend most of his time on the wing this year and spending a bit of time at fullback early should hopefully accelerate his development there. Even if Schmidt sees his place in the Wallabies at centre I think he's going to need to ease into things via the outside backs.
As far as Foketi's partner in the centre goes it'll almost certainly be Walton first up, which should give the tahs a bit more stability to build off of while so much is in flux. Not sure they'll play Kellaway in the centres much at all, with O'Donnel also a pretty solid option there while they ease Sua'ali'i in.
As far as Foketi's partner in the centre goes it'll almost certainly be Walton first up, which should give the tahs a bit more stability to build off of while so much is in flux. Not sure they'll play Kellaway in the centres much at all, with O'Donnel also a pretty solid option there while they ease Sua'ali'i in.