Waratahs 2025

[Strewthcobber]

I think the reason it's an outlier, he played those minutes while also having a massive impact, having 130+ carries and making 510m(!).

High minutes, high workload and high impact. It's unique

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Interesting about AAA but he plays at a much different pace and we've also seen him blow an Achilles. Something to it potentially?

 

[Dctarget]

Props are also worth less overseas, hence why very few of our props have left. Compared to centres, flyhalves and locks.

 

[Wilson]

The offer on the table for Tupou last year from Leinster was apparently ~950K, with Montpellier showing similar interest, so he does look to be an outlier there.

 

[Dctarget]

Crazy not to take it. He's less than 10 years off his income being 800% less or something.

 

[Wilson]

I think he will if he gets offered anything like that again. It would've been a slight downgrade for this year though, given the size of his existing RA contract. I can't see RA going past 800k for him, with 6 or 7-something looking more likely. Best chance of staying is probably some sort of sabbatical deal, but they might be wary to offer that given the injury risk is a bit higher with Tupou. Tighthead prop is probably also one of the better positions to be slotting in from OS, given it lets us build more depth at home and he's already established all the connection he needs with the other front rowers.

 

[Braveheart81]

I think the landscape has also changed in terms of the future runway.

Massimo Di Lutiis is clearly an emerging star, Kingsley Uys is a couple of years behind that.

Zane Nonggorr has improved immensely, Allan Ala'alatoa is getting towards the end of his career but is pretty healthy now and Tom Robertson is back playing in Australia and is solid.

Unless Tupou can find the form he had a few years ago he is no longer as much of a unicorn and less essential as a top dollar retention target.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

But from your point earlier it isn't just his game play.

 

[Braveheart81]

But I think that has diminished by a reasonable amount in the last couple of years. He isn't enough of a household name that his marketability isn't positively correlated to his actual on field performance.

Others such as Joseph Sua'ali'i have also been brought in (hopefully he starts playing rugby again soon!).

 

[LevitatingSocks]

There are probably physiological limits to what a body that size can handle, regardless of fitness. Where that limit is probably varies with genetics, age, and injury history.

It's reasonable to put him on a load management plan that reduces his minutes. But it's also reasonable to question if he's worth his pay if he's not being flogged like a rented Commodore.

 

[Major Tom]

Throw in Trevor King and Tevita Alatini and Will Goddard when back from ACLs and we should be pretty well placed for THP for a while. Marley Pearce is showing good signs at loose end. Would be good to hang on to Tupou while they develop.

 

[Cole]

LIngton Ieli at the Brums is a good young prospect too, though I think he may have said he wants to play for Fiji??? (one of the islands sorry can't recall). Good build and good young man too

 

[Major Tom]

Yeah it’s Fiji. I don’t think he’s made his mind up. Good for him and them either way.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Why Waratahs have turned to Queensland legend’s son for Reds battle

Teddy Wilson is in his fourth season at the Waratahs but will only make his starting debut this weekend. And at least one rival club is keen to poach the young halfback.

www.smh.com.au

Most intresting part of this article is that the Force are after him. Makes sense when White is 34. IFL 29 an just ok and Robertson a pure 3rd stringer at best.

Hope the Tahs can re-sign Wilson and get Angus Grover and Sam Blank out of the 18s/20s looking even longer term. Can always find a bench 9 to sit behind Wilson while younger guys develop. Not sold on Sharples the 20s starting halfback. Great kicking game but the rest leaves a bit to be desired at this stage.

 

[Pass it to Dunning!]

The Force specialise in signing players who aren't getting enough game time in Sydney.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Waratah A

If Teddy can get a good showing in it's the worst thing for the Force.

 

[JRugby2]

Mid 2000's QLD has joined the chat

 

[Major Tom]

Tahs would have to be deadset brain dead not to lock Teddy away!

 

[Wilson]

Congratulations to the Force for singing Teddy Wilson for 2026!

 

[Sully]

Queensland coach, Queensland prop, Queensland halfback things are looking up down south.