Waratahs 2025

[TSR]

Starting XV?

1. Bell
2. Porecki
3. Tupou
4. Lee-Warner
5. ?
6. Leota
7. Gamble
8. Gleeson
9. Gordon
10. Edmed
11. Lancaster
12. Foketi
13. Sua'ali'i
14. Jorgenson
15. Kellaway

Anyone agree or disagree? Who's most likely to fill the other spot in the 2nd row?

Not a bad lineup at all.

Plenty of grunt in the pack with Bell, Tupou, Gleeson & Leota. Probably means a more dynamic lock like Smith & maybe a worker like Sinclair - although if Amatosero can provide work rate along with size you are going to be a tough pack physically to play.

Speed and size in the backs so making gain line shouldn’t be a big issue.

 

[Bob Peters]

Who is the backup 7 if Gamble is injured? Don’t see any in the whole 42 man list.

 

[Cockatoo Run]

Who is the backup 7 if Gamble is injured? Don’t see any in the whole 42 man list.

Although not named in the squad, I understand Jamie Adamson (former England 7s player who had an excellent season for Easts this year) has been training full time with the squad in recent weeks. Maybe they are looking at him as backup?

 

[Overtime]

So is Ned Slack-Smith still playing?

 

[Pfitzy]

So is Ned Slack-Smith still playing?

Saw him named in some development role at the Rats? Or I'm going mad

 

[BobbyD]

Waratahs with forward ball runners coming out of their ears - Bell, Tupou, Amatosero, Gleeson, Leota, Gamble ….. even the young back ups like Talataina, Halaholo, Kunavula, Smith etc are all carriers. Not sure who will be the ruck monsters making sure the ball is secure which has been a perennial issue. Maybe that’s where the likes of Sinclair or Lee-Warner come in.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

IT'S HAPPENING.

Tahs fans walking themselves towards the light pre xmas only to find out the light was the front of a train come March.

 

[Derpus]

IT'S HAPPENING.

Tahs fans walking themselves towards the light pre xmas only to find out the light was the front of a train come March.

Yeah, all being fit we have a competitive tight 5 but as soon as we have some rest or rotation I fear we will once again be sorely lacking in this area.

 

[John S]

IT'S HAPPENING.

Tahs fans walking themselves towards the light pre xmas only to find out the light was the front of a train come March.

Like moths to a flame......

 

[fatprop]

Starting XV?

4. Lee-Warner

Anyone agree or disagree? Who's most likely to fill the other spot in the 2nd row?

Not a bad lineup at all.

Another player who improves the less he plays

 

[fatprop]

1. Bell
2. Vailanu
3. Tupou
4. Amatosero
5. Sinclair
6. Leota
7. Gamble
8. Gleeson
9. Gordon
10. Edmed
11. Lancaster
12. Foketi
13. Sua'ali'i
14. Jorgenson
15. Kellaway

 

[barbarian]

I love the Tahs continued reluctance to recruit high quality locks. And when I say 'love' I mean 'hate with the fire of a thousand suns'.

Seriously, we had one good Kane Douglas season, one good Jacpot season and then you're going back to post-Brumbies Vicks.

For every one decent Tahs lock I can name you five duds. Literally, thanks Hendrik.

 

[scrans21]

I love the Tahs continued reluctance to recruit high quality locks. And when I say 'love' I mean 'hate with the fire of a thousand suns'.

Seriously, we had one good Kane Douglas season, one good Jacpot season and then you're going back to post-Brumbies Vicks.

For every one decent Tahs lock I can name you five duds. Literally, thanks Hendrik.

Wouldn't sleep on Ben Grant, he had some really good involvements for the Canes when he got on the field this year. Wouldn't surprise me if he ends up as first choice alongside Amatasero by the end of 2025.

 

[barbarian]

Ahh a foreign lock who will solve all our problems! Just the answer I was looking for.

But all cynicism aside, I do hope you are right.

 

[Rugby Head]

Ahh a foreign lock who will solve all our problems! Just the answer I was looking for.

But all cynicism aside, I do hope you are right.

Ben Grant is an Aussie

 

[Braveheart81]

I think Amatasero came on really well at the end of last year. Has real size and physicality.

Angelo Smith also looks to be a really promising signing.

 

[Froggy]

I think Amatosero will likely be a lock, alongside either Lee-Warner or Sinclair or Angelo Smith. I think Smith definitely has the most upside, however a youngster like Amatosero might benefit from the experience of someone like Lee-Warner

 

[dru]

I love the Tahs continued reluctance to recruit high quality locks. And when I say 'love' I mean 'hate with the fire of a thousand suns'.

Seriously, we had one good Kane Douglas season, one good Jacpot season and then you're going back to post-Brumbies Vicks.

For every one decent Tahs lock I can name you five duds. Literally, thanks Hendrik.

Didn't you just quote Jacques Potgieter fondly?

 

[Braveheart81]

For every one decent Tahs lock I can name you five duds. Literally, thanks Hendrik.

I'll start:

Hendrick "Dud" Roodt
Le Roux Roets
Greg Peterson
Senio Toleafoa
Ryan McCauley

 

[upthereds#!]

They picked up another young NPC giant. - Ale Aho

They need to put the time into Amatesero or he will just bail back to france