Waratahs 2026

[Major Tom]

I thought Will Goddard would be there. Probably easing him back I guess.

 

[LeCheese]

Re "getting the crowds back"

I can see the logic of Fridays nights consistently being game night

1/ Over 500,000 people work in the CBD each day

2/ Getting the habit started for a subset to use the good public transport to get to the game

The same kind of habit was created for a while when Sydney FC was playing at North Sydney oval and a load of the gilet wearing worker drones rolled in for the match

and the rusted ons are going to turn up more often than not anyway

Maybe I’m wrong, but haven’t Friday games consistently been less attended than Saturdays?

It makes sense in theory, but in practice maybe less so

 

[Strewthcobber]

Maybe I’m wrong, but haven’t Friday games consistently been less attended than Saturdays?

It makes sense in theory, but in practice maybe less so

There's be too much variablity in the sample size to say one way or another wouldn't there? Eg whichever day had the most Reds+Brumbies games is probably going to average the highest.

Anyway, someone powerful wants lots of Friday nights at Allianz

 

[teamsport]

View attachment 23273

Ranawai and Dawson are extremely strange inclusions other than not even being first stringers at there clubs. Dawson would be the 5th best prop at Norths and has been in the Netherlands for 12 months playing pub rugby. Beyond this Norths scrum wasn't even close to the best scrum in the comp. Kauika - Peterson well it makes zero sense.

The other academy inclusions do make more sense.

The timing of this comp is what it is. Still a month or two away from having a squad the resembles even being close to what the Waratahs could field next season.

 

[Upthemaroon!]

Ranawai and Dawson are extremely strange inclusions other than not even being first stringers at there clubs. Dawson would be the 5th best prop at Norths and has been in the Netherlands for 12 months playing pub rugby. Beyond this Norths scrum wasn't even close to the best scrum in the comp. Kauika - Peterson well it makes zero sense.

The other academy inclusions do make more sense.

The timing of this comp is what it is. Still a month or two away from having a squad the resembles even being close to what the Waratahs could field next season.

Dawson actually played together with Jack Maddows brother, Will, in the Netherlands. Small world.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I thought Will Goddard would be there. Probably easing him back I guess.

Tahs social media showed him just starting to run with no brace etc a couple of weeks back so he's a while off packing scrums otherwise he would be considering others involved.

I hope he can just get a good pre season in him and play in some of the Tah A games if they have them again next year then back to SS to just play.

 

[Major Tom]

Tahs social media showed him just starting to run with no brace etc a couple of weeks back so he's a while off packing scrums otherwise he would be considering others involved.

I hope he can just get a good pre season in him and play in some of the Tah A games if they have them again next year then back to SS to just play.

Yeah, Tahs are pretty light on for THP but rushing him would be unwise. Hopefully, he's been packing on the size in the gym. SS with some minutes at the back end of next year wouldn't be a bad thing.

 

[teamsport]

Playmaker Jack Debreczeni Returns to Sydney After Signing With NSW Waratahs

www.rugby.com.au

This is a good signing and will give Bowen the opportunity to work his way to fully taking over in 2028. If Bowen is playing that well Debreczeni can at least be a squad filler.

They now need to develop Bowen and Fowler so by 2028 they are both capable of starting.

Creighton is a squad filler if all else fails as well. Otherwise I wouldn't be averse to them going after Joey Walsh or Carter Gordon as well if there is an opportunity.

 

[Rugby Head]

Playmaker Jack Debreczeni Returns to Sydney After Signing With NSW Waratahs

www.rugby.com.au

This is a good signing and will give Bowen the opportunity to work his way to fully taking over in 2028. If Bowen is playing that well Debreczeni can at least be a squad filler.

They now need to develop Bowen and Fowler so by 2028 they are both capable of starting.

Creighton is a squad filler if all else fails as well. Otherwise I wouldn't be averse to them going after Joey Walsh or Carter Gordon as well if there is an opportunity.

Great signing!
We just need a good game manager, there is plenty of strike power in the backline.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Funny sometimes how things work out. Edmed from Tahs to Brumbies and Debreczini the opposite way round. Just not sure who comes out in front with this swap. Anyway, go well Jack. Hope to see you line up against the Brumbies in 26.

 

[Dctarget]

The potential upside of the unknown is always more fun to imagine than the known bang average of the past.

In that vein, here's my XV that will win us the 2031 RWC:

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Nice signing. Experience in a young group of backs. Also hope he can get involved more with his beloved Pirates.

 

[Crashy]

yeah I was pleasantly surprised to see the signing. We need some experience in the halves. Him and Jake would make a nice paring. with walkon and JAS in the centres. Think we need a big 12 signing.
Tristan;, Jorgo, Potter and Kellaway are a handy back 3.
Any idea what Harry Wilson is doing? Looked a bit underwhelming in the SS final though.

 

[Major Tom]

yeah I was pleasantly surprised to see the signing. We need some experience in the halves. Him and Jake would make a nice paring. with walkon and JAS in the centres. Think we need a big 12 signing.
Tristan;, Jorgo, Potter and Kellaway are a handy back 3.
Any idea what Harry Wilson is doing? Looked a bit underwhelming in the SS final though.

O'Donnell worth persisting with. Keen to see how Ropata finally goes and Jacques for that matter.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I think between JAS, O'Donnell, Walton and Ropata they can handles the centres this year. O'Donnell has a really high ceiling as he continues to find his feet at Super Rugby. He's a big body with an offload.

Ropata is intresting. He's been very good at every level so far. Makes me think of a slightly less physical Perese but more skill. Imagine Foketi with speed.

If the pack can do enough noting they will be without Bell a serviceable job at 10 is all most should want. Equal +1 win would honestly be a great year when I look at the draw.

 

[Heavyd]

Great signing!
We just need a good game manager, there is plenty of strike power in the backline.

Awesome signing and one I have been calling for since he announced he was leaving the Brumbies. . He is a natural aggressive ball player and has the pass to open up the Tahs outside backs, particularly Sualli into space.

 

[Homer]

O'Donnell worth persisting with. Keen to see how Ropata finally goes and Jacques for that matter.

Ropata is a solid unit, not the tallest but runs on tree trunks. Clicked very well with the Rats backline and gave them some power to go with the tall speedsters out wide.

 

[Crashy]

Awesome signing and one I have been calling for since he announced he was leaving the Brumbies. . He is a natural aggressive ball player and has the pass to open up the Tahs outside backs, particularly Sualli into space.

Has a big boot too HeavyD. Something we need.