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Waratahs 2025

Wilson

John Eales (66)
I'd be going for one of the Qld hookers.... possibly Asiata as the other 2 are wallabies.
Asiata is the only one (potentially) off contract but he's very highly valued. They'll move heaven and earth to keep him, even if that means letting Nasser go early (I don't think it'll come to that though).
 

Major Tom

Bob Loudon (25)
Actually with heaven, vailanuand probably Tupou heading overseas that’s decimated front row! They’ll need to get signing. Only Porecki and Dobbins left. Do they have any U20’s from last year or year before coming through?
 

dru

David Wilson (68)
Blake is signed through next year. Don’t know about Asiata but he’s pretty needed at the Reds. He’s ahead of Nasser. Craig is young and behind all of them and is not signed past 2025 so I can see him moving to get more opportunity.

George (Blake) has also played at loose head more than hooker in 2025. He is starting to look very very good for 16/17 in any Super 23 and of course is comfortable running out for kick off. We really should be watching this guy.
 

The Ghost of Raelene

Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Gonna need to recruit another hooker that’s for sure. Max Craig or George Blake? Think their contracts are up at the end of the year.
Max Craig wouldn't be an improvement over any Hookers still in the squad now or the best in SS. Personally think he's a fringe squad player and good First Grader.

Dobbins is probably hoping for another deal and I wouldn't hate that but personally I hope the Tahs are after Pollard who is off contract and must be looking around for the best deal since we've already heard the Bears chat so his manager is shaking the tree.
 

The Ghost of Raelene

Nick Farr-Jones (63)
On another note. Was looking at the injury lists across Super Rugby and I think the Tahs should be happy with themselves on it. I know there is a HUGE amount of luck involved with players staying healthy but it was a pretty ridiculous list last couple of years that they made an effort to improve where they could.

Replacing all the turf at Tahs HQ and prioritising the training schedule on it to maintain the standard as well as new S&C which usually comes with treatment providers also. Injuries to Jorgo and JAS are Rugby incidents but there has been a dramatic decrease in all the soft tissue injuries happening at the same time last year. Just think everyone was very quick to jump on them for being not fit/shit rehab etc. Have to give them some credit for so far doing well. They are definitely fitter.

Touch wood
 

Wilson

John Eales (66)
Max Craig wouldn't be an improvement over any Hookers still in the squad now or the best in SS. Personally think he's a fringe squad player and good First Grader.

Dobbins is probably hoping for another deal and I wouldn't hate that but personally I hope the Tahs are after Pollard who is off contract and must be looking around for the best deal since we've already heard the Bears chat so his manager is shaking the tree.
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.
 

Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
You have to assume the Tahs have a plan on who they are signing given Vailanu is leaving. I would be surprised if he's got a huge contract offer elsewhere and they just can't compete with it.
 

Wilson

John Eales (66)
You have to assume the Tahs have a plan on who they are signing given Vailanu is leaving. I would be surprised if he's got a huge contract offer elsewhere and they just can't compete with it.
I think part of the reason he's gone might be eligibility - he doesn't qualify for the Wallabies until next year at least and there's a lot of younger talent knocking on the door now. If he's given up on that he could almost certainly get more money elsewhere (although who knows what the Japan changes will do to the player market) and may want to push for Tongan selection in away that makes it hard for the tahs to keep him.
 

Strewthcobber

Michael Lynagh (62)
I'd love to see the stats on the Waratahs record at half time and then what their second half looks like.

They have been in every game just about, and then fade away badly so consistently. The bench just isn't getting it done
 

Strewthcobber

Michael Lynagh (62)
To answer my own question (thanks AI)

* 1st half Tahs - For 149, Against 145
* 2nd half Tahs - For 107, Against 195

Edit - Tahs have won just one second half all year (against the Force)
 
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