Waratahs 2025
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
As ever, looks good enough on paper...
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
By my count, that is 9 ex-Rebels at the Tahs next year along with the 6 Million dollar man from League and Henry O'Donnel ex-Force. Well done the RATahs. Doesn't look like RA is quite so concerned about keeping their other Super Rugby team competitive. Two ex-Rebels only so far announced for the RABrumbies. Centralisation looks to be an avenue for further supporting the chosen side in light blue.
Am I pissed. Sure thing.
Am I pissed. Sure thing.
How many players were the Waratahs not able to re-sign because RA had to make room for players that they were already on the hook to pay?
I agree that the Waratahs have a stronger squad for 2025 than they had for 2024 but they also had to let a whole lot of long term players leave such as Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Ned Hanigan, Lachie Swinton, Will Harrison, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Izaia Perese and others.
They literally gutted half the squad to make space for players that RA had a commitment to.
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
As previously advised RA had taken on the Tahs and Rebels, the latter ceased to exist so RA had to move some Tahs players on to accomodate the contractual obligations of quite a few ex-Rebels players. The Brumbies came to the table a fair bit bit later in the process but presumably they were part of the conversation with regards to the discarded players e.g. Archer Holz announced the other day, and presumably they didn't want them. I think RA are doing all they can for the coming season to place the players as best they can, I'm also assuming the players have some say in which city they would prefer to live.
Jimmyjam
Watty Friend (18)
Don't remember the complaining when Brumbies had 4 wallaby locks...... (sadly only 3 now...) 3 Wallaby props, 3 wallaby hookers etc etc...
FYI The tahs have just lost 6 wallabies who I would have been very happy to retain... Swinton, Hanigan, HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes), Holloway, Perese , Mark the Rooster + Tuipuloto, Will Harrison, Holz and not mentioning the crew who were signed previously by the Force... Beale, Donaldson, Harris.
Not too sure how many vacant roster spots the Brumbies had, but couldn't have been too many.....................
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
Sure things in Roma I reckon
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
BH, KOB and JJ, I'm out, suitably chastised with my tail between my legs. Thanks for each of your responses.
rugbyAU
Bob Davidson (42)
For the Waratahs yes
The Honey Badger
Jim Lenehan (48)
Slack-smith is out -
Adam84
Rod McCall (65)
sure, I apologise for interpreting the comment “All the Aussie Super Rugby players should play the NPC” too literally and thinking it meant all Aus Super Rugby players should play NPC.
But yes I agree it’s a fanciful idea that would not only cost too much money, does nothing to actually improve the pathways, we’re just paying to use someone else’s. That’s not a sustainable model either.
Adam84
Rod McCall (65)
Are RA now at fault for the Brumbies recruitment?
Mudgee Mudcrab
Peter Burge (5)
Do not believe so
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Slim pickings in the locking department
They'll do, if we can keep front-rowers healthy for most of the season.
Froggy
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
9 ex Rebels to the Tahs, although only 5 of them (Tupou, Kailea, Leota, Kellaway, Lancaster) Wallabies. Considering the Tahs have lost 6 Wallabies (Holloway, Hanigan, Swinton, HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes), Perese, Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase)) probably not a big gain. Considering they finished stoney last in 2024, I wouldn't be too concerned if I was you BR. I would be more worried about the Reds, the 2nd top Aus side, who have picked up Gibbon, Canham, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and Daugunu.
The reality is every year players move about (yes, the end of the Rebels inflated that), and the moajorityof players originate from either NSW or Qld.
If you look at the Force, the majority started in another franchise. The Tahs alone have supplied Robertson, Horton, Williams, Tizano (I know he's from thee west, but commenced his pro rugby with the Tahs), Harris and Donaldson.
I'm not an RA apologist by any means, and they certainly brought about the Rebells demise, but I don't think they can be blamed for the movement of players.
The reality is every year players move about (yes, the end of the Rebels inflated that), and the moajorityof players originate from either NSW or Qld.
If you look at the Force, the majority started in another franchise. The Tahs alone have supplied Robertson, Horton, Williams, Tizano (I know he's from thee west, but commenced his pro rugby with the Tahs), Harris and Donaldson.
I'm not an RA apologist by any means, and they certainly brought about the Rebells demise, but I don't think they can be blamed for the movement of players.
rugbyAU
Bob Davidson (42)
NO!
The incoming Wallabies from the rebels have a combined 114 tests whilst the departing Wallabies from the Tahs have a combined 70 tests
Marce
John Hipwell (52)
You know what I mean
Mr Pilfer
Alex Ross (28)
Haha this really takes the cake counting Tizzano as a tahs product
Phil Waugh has done everything possible to try and get the tahs up the ladder to the detriment of all the other Aussie sides and everyone knows it.