Almost none of those costs end up on the Tahs salary cap. They sit with RA and "wealthy benefactors" outside of the cap
As a complete guessing fella, I wud say RA know the rebels are gone, will ship half their players to Sydney, including their coach and most of his coaching group over to tah land.
Wilkin is from Sydney uni, Cabous played for Randwick, Uelese played for Gordon, Canham i think was at Eastwood, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) Randwick, Maciu played for Manly, Gibbon Souths, Leota at Easts, Pone played for norths a few years ago and eastwood this year, talakai uni, kellaway, lancaster, pincus, anderson are all sydney boys in general and all played shute, jooste played at easts, louwrens played at hunter - Id say it would be easy, for most of those guys to come straight back to sydney if they are contracted or cheap contract options, all of a sudden tahs will have a capable squad and depth, and no offence to DC, Pauli and the other tahs coaches, they have all flopped so can move on.
RA will pick up most of the cost.
its the only reason i can think of for all the players leaving, no coaching announcement for DC and RA continually saying rebels arent included in 2025 plans.
Could be totally wrong, but thats the feeling i get and i think others too.
I just cant imagine cheika coming back to tahs, with RA being his boss again