Waratahs 2025

[Froggy]

If we thought last year was bad, 2025 could be a whole new level. With only Holtz and Botha at THP, neither of who have really established themselves as being at Super Rugby level yet (at least they're both young), One lock in Amatosero, a 21 year-old who is also at that level, and two veteran journeyman in Sinclair and Lee-Warner to cover 5 and 6, with no significant signings this looks diabolical.
The Tahs management really need to have a long hard look at themselves, this is a club that ten years ago was the best Super rugby side in the southern hemisphere, reduced to not much more than a Shute Shield team.
I will continue to be a supporter, have a lot of great mates who wore this jumper forty-odd years ago, but to destroy the culture to the point where half the team are looking for a way out, and nobody else is prepared to come on board, even with their own team liquidated, reflects very poorly on management,

 

[Marce]

Is Hugh Sinclair signed up for 2025? I heard a whisper he might not go around for the Tahs next year. After loosing Swinton, Hanigan, and Hollaway it would be a huge shame. While he is not likely to crack the Wallaby setup Sinclair is a good honest toiler and an asset to the Tahs.

Are there still any players left for 2025?

 

[Rugby Head]

If we thought last year was bad, 2025 could be a whole new level. With only Holtz and Botha at THP, neither of who have really established themselves as being at Super Rugby level yet (at least they're both young), One lock in Amatosero, a 21 year-old who is also at that level, and two veteran journeyman in Sinclair and Lee-Warner to cover 5 and 6, with no significant signings this looks diabolical.
The Tahs management really need to have a long hard look at themselves, this is a club that ten years ago was the best Super rugby side in the southern hemisphere, reduced to not much more than a Shute Shield team.
I will continue to be a supporter, have a lot of great mates who wore this jumper forty-odd years ago, but to destroy the culture to the point where half the team are looking for a way out, and nobody else is prepared to come on board, even with their own team liquidated, reflects very poorly on management,

Looking very grim... Fingers crossed Tupou signs. Perhaps look at bringing home Harry Hockings?

 

[KOB1987]

If we thought last year was bad, 2025 could be a whole new level. With only Holtz and Botha at THP, neither of who have really established themselves as being at Super Rugby level yet (at least they're both young), One lock in Amatosero, a 21 year-old who is also at that level, and two veteran journeyman in Sinclair and Lee-Warner to cover 5 and 6, with no significant signings this looks diabolical.
The Tahs management really need to have a long hard look at themselves, this is a club that ten years ago was the best Super rugby side in the southern hemisphere, reduced to not much more than a Shute Shield team.
I will continue to be a supporter, have a lot of great mates who wore this jumper forty-odd years ago, but to destroy the culture to the point where half the team are looking for a way out, and nobody else is prepared to come on board, even with their own team liquidated, reflects very poorly on management,

Don’t stress Froggy, it will get better. Just remember your mates played for a representative team, and it was effectively NSW origin back then. Times have changed, the NSW leather elbow patch dudes couldn’t ever get their head around the team becoming professional and did not adapt. Hopefully (emphasis on that word) the transfer of the professional outfit to RA will overcome this in due course. I have faith, NSW rugby will be the envy of all soon enough.

 

[Agent]

@RugbyReg put this list up at the start of this thread on May 6th. I have updated and 2 months on and there next to no positivity in terms of signings, infact Simon Raiwalui and Dan McKellar are the only new signings I know of and they won't be pulling the boots on!! A couple more have jumped from the sinking ship. Queensland and the Force seem to be announcing new signings left right and centre, but nothing from the Tahs. 2024 might be a walk in the park compared to 2025 the way Tah management is going which is very sad.

NSW Waratahs 2025

Dan McKellar – Head Coach
TBC – Assistant Coach (attack)
TBC – Assistant Coach (defence)
TBC – Assistant Coach

Hooker:
Dave Porecki - 2026 Didn't play in 2024 or very limited minutes

Prop:
Angus Bell - 2027
Hayden Thomson-Stringer - 2025
Archer Holz - ??? Didn't play in 2024 or very limited minutes

Lock:
Fergus Lee-Warner - 2025
Hugh Sinclair - ???

Backrow:
Langi Gleeson - 2025
Charlie Gamble - 2026

Scrumhalf:
Jake Gordon - 2025

Flyhalf:

Centre:
Lalakai Foketi - 2025
Joseph Sua'ali'i - 2027

Wing:
Dylan Pietsch - 2025
Vuate Karawalevu - 2025 Didn't play in 2024 or very limited minutes

Fullback:
Max Jorgensen - 2026
Andrew Kellaway - 2027

Unsigned:
Mahe Vailanu - ??? Should be resigned ASAP
Theo Fourie - 2024 Didn't play in 2024 or very limited minutes
Dan Botha - 2024 Didn't play in 2024 or very limited minutes
Tom Ross - 2024
Tom Lambert - 2024 Should be resigned ASAP
Miles Amatosero - 2024 Should be resigned ASAP
Ned Slack-Smith - 2024 Didn't play in 2024 or very limited minutes
Mesu Kunavula - 2024 Didn't play in 2024 or very limited minutes
Jack Grant - 2024
Teddy Wilson - 2024 Should be resigned ASAP
Jack Bowen - ??? Should be resigned ASAP
Tane Edmed - 2024 Should be resigned ASAP
Joey Walton - ??? Should be resigned ASAP
Triston Reilly - 2024

CONFIRMED GONE:
Izaia Perese - Leicester
Lachie Swinton - Bordeaux
Mark Nawaqanitawase - Roosters
Harry Wilson - Dragons RFC
Mosese Tuipulotu - Edinburgh
Will Harrison - Japan
Ned Hanigan - France
Harry Johnson-Holmes - Force
Jed Holloway - France

 

[KOB1987]

I suspect there is a bit going on behind the scenes. Note that the Brumbies have also been very quiet with their player movements. This centralization thing might actually be a thing.

 

[fatprop]

I suspect there is a bit going on behind the scenes. Note that the Brumbies have also been very quiet with their player movements. This centralization thing might actually be a thing.

Yeah, what some could consider to total cluster f*ck, others may consider an opportunity to get playing minutes, whilst the more established maybe looking for extra $$$ to compensate for the cluster f*ck

As to the props, HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) had the ability to stay healthy and that is/was a major bonus, but our other THPs did pretty well as did the LHPs & hookers, they just need to stay healthy

 

[Strewthcobber]

A number of those "unsigned guys" would have a contract in place, it just hasn't been announced yet. I know at least one member of that list has happily signed-up for next year

 

[Wilson]

At least the obituary styling is a bit more appropriate for a departure:

 

[LeCheese]

At least the obituary styling is a bit more appropriate for a departure:
View attachment 19931

I'm pretty sure that's the ghost of Ned Kelly in the top right

 

[Marce]

Sua'ali'i in his first Tahs training session:

 

[Homer]

ALso Gibbon and Lachie Anderson have signed with the Reds and then Massimo Delutiis didn't even play this year due to injury and he is outstanding and massive.
With Deluttis, Toomanga-Allen, Hodgeman, Nongoor, Faagase and Gibbon in the team, plus four wallaby locks there will be a lot of talent playing club footy each week. Just stunningly stupid by RA to let that happen.
The tahs will come stone motherless last AGAIN while top line players will try to take on the Lions with less than 10 games under their belt.

 

[KOB1987]

ALso Gibbon and Lachie Anderson have signed with the Reds and then Massimo Delutiis didn't even play this year due to injury and he is outstanding and massive.
With Deluttis, Toomanga-Allen, Hodgeman, Nongoor, Faagase and Gibbon in the team, plus four wallaby locks there will be a lot of talent playing club footy each week. Just stunningly stupid by RA to let that happen.
The tahs will come stone motherless last AGAIN while top line players will try to take on the Lions with less than 10 games under their belt.

I do get your point but there are only 2 of those props on the list that are capped wallabies plus a capped all black, and none of them are front line selections, and there is currently only 1 wallaby lock in the Qld squad, and he has played a total of about 20 minutes off the bench in 2 tests this year.

 

[Tomthumb]

ALso Gibbon and Lachie Anderson have signed with the Reds and then Massimo Delutiis didn't even play this year due to injury and he is outstanding and massive.
With Deluttis, Toomanga-Allen, Hodgeman, Nongoor, Faagase and Gibbon in the team, plus four wallaby locks there will be a lot of talent playing club footy each week. Just stunningly stupid by RA to let that happen.
The tahs will come stone motherless last AGAIN while top line players will try to take on the Lions with less than 10 games under their belt.

On the flip side it allows an opportunity to plenty of overlooked talent to play and be developed

 

[upthereds#!]

Also, its not like they are LETTING this happen. If they players dont want to go to the tahs, they can claim their full pay playing club if they want. Yes it will hurt their next contract, but that's another story.

Tahs train in eastern suburbs. Where will they live, if they are young, or have families and rent is sky high. There are multiple parts to this but 'letting' it happen is not one of them.

 

[Raytah]

Still hopeful for (and frankly expecting something similar to):

1. Bell / Kailea / HTS
2. Porecki / Heaven / Dobbins
3. Tupou / Talakai / Holz
4. Lee-Warner / Daly
5. Amotosero / Sinclair
6. Leota / Di Staso
7. Gamble / Wilkin
8. Gleeson / Talataina
9. Gordon / Wilson
10. Edmed / Bowen
11. Lancaster / Reilly
12. Foketi / Walton
13. Kellaway / Pietsch
14. Sua'ali'i / Saunders
15. Jorgenson / Kane

 

[eastman]

Also, its not like they are LETTING this happen. If they players dont want to go to the tahs, they can claim their full pay playing club if they want. Yes it will hurt their next contract, but that's another story.

Tahs train in eastern suburbs. Where will they live, if they are young, or have families and rent is sky high. There are multiple parts to this but 'letting' it happen is not one of them.

Let’s not pretend that renting in Randwick, Mascot or even somewhere in Maroubra is not viable even for a fringe Super Rugby player especially if they can share apartments- we’re not talking Paddington, Double Bay or Vaucluse.

 

[Overtime]

Honestly, I think that this whole thing about not wanting to go to the Waratahs is about the dollars. They know RA want them at the Tahs so their managers are playing them, trying to squeeze every bit they can. Regarding Lukhan Salakaia-Loto a lease can be broken and RA could assist with the costs.

 

[fatprop]

The Tahs have no coach on the ground until August and have often not announced signings until later in the year

 

[dru]

Let’s not pretend that renting in Randwick, Mascot or even somewhere in Maroubra is not viable even for a fringe Super Rugby player especially if they can share apartments- we’re not talking Paddington, Double Bay or Vaucluse.

It's probably an error I have made here, though I don't think Randwick or Maroubra are locations I would hunt on a budget. But you are right you don't need to target Vaucluse.

In the mean time the Tahs don't seem to be landing players they might want.