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Waratahs 2025

Homer

Homer

Billy Sheehan (19)
Wilson said:
Dobbins is a solid option as a 3rd string and I suspect he'll get an extension (losing all but 1 hooker is just too disruptive), but it's really that reliable 2nd/pushing 1st string the tahs need, particularly with Porecki's injury record. Hard to see Pollard moving within Australian rugby though, now that he's locked down the starting jersey at the brumbies and has wallabies caps. McKellar may help there, but I think he's negotiating on wallaby top ups now rather than super contracts.

He's not at the same level but it might be time for Horton to come back. He has come a long way since he first left the tahs, but isn't going to get much of a look in ahead of BPA and Dolly at the Force. Tomasi Maka over at Moana is also an Aussie, but I'm not sure he's much of an upgrade on Dobbins. Alternatively they could look to an international option, with Vailanu moving on that theoretically frees up a space. Might depend what's in the pipeline for a few years time.
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Horton would be a huge step backwards. Very light and his scrummaging has been a thorn for the Force. I would have said Rhys Van Nek, used to play hooker and is a solid scrummager, but he has re-signed with the horses.
Unfortunately, we dont have time to bring through another young player, will need someone ready to rumble, so i would say there is a raid on the NPC coming.

Otherwise, move Jack Barrett into the middle. He is a good size for a hooker, mobile and too light for prop.
 
Wilson

Wilson

John Eales (66)
Homer said:
Horton would be a huge step backwards. Very light and his scrummaging has been a thorn for the Force. I would have said Rhys Van Nek, used to play hooker and is a solid scrummager, but he has re-signed with the horses.
Unfortunately, we dont have time to bring through another young player, will need someone ready to rumble, so i would say there is a raid on the NPC coming.

Otherwise, move Jack Barrett into the middle. He is a good size for a hooker, mobile and too light for prop.
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If you don't have time to bring through another young player you really don't have time to convert one to hooker either.

Braveheart81 said:
I wonder if Josh Nasser is the guy who gets squeezed out at the Reds?
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I get the impression he's the one the Reds would be least upset to lose, but he does have a deal for next year. There might be room to work a move if they're struggling to hang onto Asiata, but I don't think any one of the Reds hookers are particularly expensive right now so it may not be too hard for them to keep the 3 of them on the books.
 
Wilson

Wilson

John Eales (66)
Alex Mafi could theoretically be an option. I imagine he's got time left on his contract with Sungoliath, but the eligibility changes in Japan may mean a lot of those middle of the pack foreigners are up for grabs.

Also Feleti Kaitu'u is only on a one year deal at Racing. Has been playing plenty up there (I can't comment on form) so should be in good nick.
 
Love2Scrum

Love2Scrum

Billy Sheehan (19)
Homer said:
Horton would be a huge step backwards. Very light and his scrummaging has been a thorn for the Force. I would have said Rhys Van Nek, used to play hooker and is a solid scrummager, but he has re-signed with the horses.
Unfortunately, we dont have time to bring through another young player, will need someone ready to rumble, so i would say there is a raid on the NPC coming.

Otherwise, move Jack Barrett into the middle. He is a good size for a hooker, mobile and too light for prop.
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Oniti Finau? Not sure how he is going in Grade. I’m sure he was groomed to take over the hookers role hence his move from Eastwood to Randwick
 
M

Major Tom

Bob Loudon (25)
Wilson said:
Alex Mafi could theoretically be an option. I imagine he's got time left on his contract with Sungoliath, but the eligibility changes in Japan may mean a lot of those middle of the pack foreigners are up for grabs.

Also Feleti Kaitu'u is only on a one year deal at Racing. Has been playing plenty up there (I can't comment on form) so should be in good nick.
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Yeah good point about Mafi. And Kaitu'u would be better than a 20/21 year old.
 
Wilson

Wilson

John Eales (66)
Looks like the tahs have signed Blyth:
WHILE there will be some key departures from the Waratahs at the end of the season, they’ve moved to bolster their forward pack by poaching lock Angus Blyth from Queensland.

Blyth is set to join former Wallabies Matt Philip and Pete Samu in a revamped NSW pack next year, ensuring the team will have an influx of experience.
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upthereds#!

upthereds#!

Peter Johnson (47)
Wilson said:
Alex Mafi could theoretically be an option. I imagine he's got time left on his contract with Sungoliath, but the eligibility changes in Japan may mean a lot of those middle of the pack foreigners are up for grabs.

Also Feleti Kaitu'u is only on a one year deal at Racing. Has been playing plenty up there (I can't comment on form) so should be in good nick.
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Kaituu would be huge. Strong hooker - good physical impact - dream would be Uelese but Kaituu a good shout. Both will have higher offers though and RA has already tied their topups to faesler, lonergan, pollard, etc.

So it is unlikely. Perhaps a Mafi is more realistic as it will be a Tah only salary.
 
Wilson

Wilson

John Eales (66)
The GroundsKeeper said:
Do the tahs really need more second rowers/backrowers in there squad?
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For mine they benefit significantly from another out and out lock which Blyth is. They will probably need to offload a few more now, but Aho, Halaholo and Kunavula are all unused so won't necessarily be missed (though Aho and Halaholo are still young so they will probably want to hold one of them). Sinclair is the other one who risks being squeezed out (I think he's off contract but I'm not certain) which would be unfortunate for him, but Blyth is a pretty clear upgrade. This also gives Doyle a bit more breathing room to come through and expereince to learn from.
 
The Ghost of Raelene

The Ghost of Raelene

Nick Farr-Jones (63)
I reckon Sinclair will be gone or heavily reduced. Ben Grant has grabbed his opportunity really well. Miles still has a heap of potential and Phillip coming as well as Blyth who is decent, not necessarily better than Sinclair but younger and bigger so does give that improved scope. Sinclair has had a quieter year than previous so it's hard to demand carrying an undersized, older player.

Aho and Halaholo are fringe squad members that most sides carry and can have a deal one year and not the next. Aho is a kiwi so who knows if they hold a guy like that whereas Halaholo a local 21 year old.

There will be more movement I imagine. Looking at selections this year I half expect Foketi to go elsewhere and he would have been on fairly good money within the group but has fallen behind Walton, O'Donnell.

We are still seeing a coaching group create the playing squad they want. Playing with a majority inherited squad which everyone should expect turnover and going on the last 3 seasons is not a bad thing as much as we want to back our boys....
 
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