Waratahs 2026

[BobbyD]

Another Tahs acquisition?
Angus Scott-Young returning to Australia immediately.

Angus Scott-Young: Back row leaves Northampton to return to Australia

Northampton Saints back row Angus Scott-Young leaves the club with immediate effect to return to Australia.

www.bbc.com

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Another Tahs acquisition?
Angus Scott-Young returning to Australia immediately.

Angus Scott-Young: Back row leaves Northampton to return to Australia

Northampton Saints back row Angus Scott-Young leaves the club with immediate effect to return to Australia.

www.bbc.com

Would prefer Swinton for his point of difference. ASY (Angus Scott-Young) missed a trick some years back when he should have transitioned to the second row under Brad Thorn to become a new Brad Thorn. ASY (Angus Scott-Young) is a solid pro but not a game changer. Good luck to him.

 

[Major Tom]

Would prefer Swinton for his point of difference. ASY (Angus Scott-Young) (Angus Scott-Young) missed a trick some years back when he should have transitioned to the second row under Brad Thorn to become a new Brad Thorn. ASY (Angus Scott-Young) (Angus Scott-Young) is a solid pro but not a game changer. Good luck to him.

Doesn't have the height for 2nd row.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Yeah, listed at 194cm it's not enough at his playing weight.

I know Thorn wasn't a tower but he had a lot more natural mass for the position. If you put 10kg on ASY (Angus Scott-Young) he would risk losing what makes him effective now.

He feels like a good pickup for a side like the Brums with Hooper gone as well.

 

[Major Tom]

Five players graduate from Waratahs Academy to senior squad

waratahs.rugby

Doyle, Harvey, Jacques, Hendren, and Durbridge have all been upgraded to the senior squad for 2026.

Next year would be good to follow this trend.
Le Maitre, N. Hill, Langi, Maybery are a few that stick out for me.

 

[Fisherman's Basket]

Tahs have likely got him. Probably too short for the Reds with their second row problem. Swinton’s destination is a total mystery. Brumbies don’t need any back rowers I think. They already have Cale, Valetini, Tualima, Macpherson, Scott, Reimer. Brumbies could get Swinton as their 3rd/4th second rower but seriously doubt it. He will likely end up at Force or Reds if he returns.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

There's plenty of good kids. Goddard, Langi and Maybery would be top of the list but but guys like Brial, Cleverley have been really strong.

Naturally some will move around as well.

I wonder where Sharples sits in the group of 9s now with Grover being signed to what is a multi year deal to start training with the senior squad. Sharples sits in a 4th Halfback spot with the 5th being a guy they want as a long term player.

 

[Braveheart81]

Next year would be good to follow this trend.
Le Maitre, N. Hill, Langi, Maybery are a few that stick out for me.

Agreed. It's the sensible option for an average team with a strong development pathway. We need to throw a bunch of these young players in the deep end with the assumption that they will have a higher ceiling than a bunch of our players who are a bit better right now.

You clearly can't expect these guys to still be available in a couple of years' time if you don't offer them a full contract now.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Tahs have likely got him. Probably too short for the Reds with their second row problem. Swinton’s destination is a total mystery. Brumbies don’t need any back rowers I think. They already have Cale, Valetini, Tualima, Macpherson, Scott, Reimer. Brumbies could get Swinton as their 3rd/4th second rower but seriously doubt it. He will likely end up at Force or Reds if he returns.

I know they have quite a list of backrowers but Scott and Reimer are both 7s and injuries have caused plenty of games out for Valetini and Cale.

I'd take ASY (Angus Scott-Young) for the group right now being pretty thin below starting options in regards to experience.

 

[Braveheart81]

I wonder where Sharples sits in the group of 9s now with Grover being signed to what is a multi year deal to start training with the senior squad. Sharples sits in a 4th Halfback spot with the 5th being a guy they want as a long term player.

I don't think he gets an opportunity at the Tahs. In my view he's going to be fighting for a third string halfback role somewhere and probably not get much above that.

 

[Homer]

Where is Goddard contract wise though? Missed last season and unheard of since his comeback session.
Three more outside backs elevated to join a stacked position, although Jaques looks to have some size about him. So now Potter, Jorgo, kells, Reilly, Saunders, Harvey, Jacques, Hendren.

 

[Major Tom]

There's plenty of good kids. Goddard, Langi and Maybery would be top of the list but but guys like Brial, Cleverley have been really strong.

Naturally some will move around as well.

I wonder where Sharples sits in the group of 9s now with Grover being signed to what is a multi year deal to start training with the senior squad. Sharples sits in a 4th Halfback spot with the 5th being a guy they want as a long term player.

I naturally thought Goddard was already in the Tahs setup. He'll play next year as long as his ACL is good. Tahs should be set at THP in the next few years. Goddard, Langi and Sheck. LHP a bit light with Bell going and Barrett not coming on.

 

[Major Tom]

Where is Goddard contract wise though? Missed last season and unheard of since his comeback session.
Three more outside backs elevated to join a stacked position, although Jaques looks to have some size about him. So now Potter, Jorgo, kells, Reilly, Saunders, Harvey, Jacques, Hendren.

And JAS. Poolman too (He's a depth player and probably would have been better going to brumbs if he wants game time).

 

[Brumby Runner]

Yeah, listed at 194cm it's not enough at his playing weight.

I know Thorn wasn't a tower but he had a lot more natural mass for the position. If you put 10kg on ASY (Angus Scott-Young) (Angus Scott-Young) he would risk losing what makes him effective now.

He feels like a good pickup for a side like the Brums with Hooper gone as well.

Ghost I like that you are keeping an eye on the Brumbies squad and putting forward names for recruitment consideration. I think you have over time identified all of Lancaster, Potter, Poolman, Annan, Hendren, and now ASY (Angus Scott-Young), and there may be others, as possibles to fill holes in the 2026 roster, but unfortunately either the Brumbies are stone deaf or stoney broke when it comes to next year's roster. I am feeling very let down by the lack of action on this front by the Brumbs for next year, but I am also more than a little uneasy that it has something to do with RA's role in the club now.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I don't think he gets an opportunity at the Tahs. In my view he's going to be fighting for a third string halfback role somewhere and probably not get much above that.

I have similar thoughts on him as a player. He's a steady 9 with a decent boot. Similar to a guy like Robertson at the Force.

Where is Goddard contract wise though? Missed last season and unheard of since his comeback session.
Three more outside backs elevated to join a stacked position, although Jaques looks to have some size about him. So now Potter, Jorgo, kells, Reilly, Saunders, Harvey, Jacques, Hendren.

I don't know. He's still listed in the Academy side of the program but hard to imagine they aren't involving him with the senior squad. Probably aren't going to upgrade him whilst injured but should be almost back to full involvement now.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Ghost I like that you are keeping an eye on the Brumbies squad and putting forward names for recruitment consideration. I think you have over time identified all of Lancaster, Potter, Annan, Hendren, and now ASY (Angus Scott-Young) (Angus Scott-Young), and there may be others, as possibles to fill holes in the 2026 roster, but unfortunately either the Brumbies are stone deaf or stoney broke when it comes to next year's roster. I am feeling very let down by the lack of action on this front by the Brumbs for next year, but I am also more than a little uneasy that it has something to do with RA's role in the club now.

Just trying to think where good talents can get game time before they go to some D2 side in France and we never see them again. Competition is way players get better and eventually the Wallabies improve.

The Brumbies lost a few but also retained a lot and have what seems to be a good coaching group. It's just the few that have left have been bigger names (Noah, Hooper) If Wright hadn't gone down injured I don't think it would seem so bad as he's a team changer.

Consistency of the Brums group will turn out to be a better strength than others mass recruitment.

Brums bringing D Hooper into the Senior coaching group is also great. He's done a fantastic job with their U19s and will no doubt help in bringing through the next cohort of players and understands them.

 

[Major Tom]

Ghost I like that you are keeping an eye on the Brumbies squad and putting forward names for recruitment consideration. I think you have over time identified all of Lancaster, Potter, Poolman, Annan, Hendren, and now ASY (Angus Scott-Young) (Angus Scott-Young), and there may be others, as possibles to fill holes in the 2026 roster, but unfortunately either the Brumbies are stone deaf or stoney broke when it comes to next year's roster. I am feeling very let down by the lack of action on this front by the Brumbs for next year, but I am also more than a little uneasy that it has something to do with RA's role in the club now.

All Aus sides have holes or areas of depth concern. Brumbs have lost Hooper from their tight 5 which sucks but otherwise you're going fine there. It's the at flyhalf, centre and fullback where you've gone backwards. Losing Wright made it worse.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Whats a bigger out, Wright for the Brumbies or Bell for the Waratahs?

Wright may feature by the finals time and Ikitau can as well?

 

[Brumby Runner]

Just trying to think where good talents can get game time before they go to some D2 side in France and we never see them again. Competition is way players get better and eventually the Wallabies improve.

The Brumbies lost a few but also retained a lot and have what seems to be a good coaching group. It's just the few that have left have been bigger names (Noah, Hooper) If Wright hadn't gone down injured I don't think it would seem so bad as he's a team changer.

Consistency of the Brums group will turn out to be a better strength than others mass recruitment.

Brums bringing D Hooper into the Senior coaching group is also great. He's done a fantastic job with their U19s and will no doubt help in bringing through the next cohort of players and understands them.

All good thoughts, but I will remain uneasy until I see some movement on the recruitment front. This should be further discussed in the Brumbies thread, but just to close off, the present squad contains only four backrowers which is insufficient for a Super Rugby season. There are only two experienced centres with McLeod and Pritchard not yet ready. Two wingers will never be enough and even if Andy Muirhead re-signs that is still insufficient, and they have no fullback as Wilcox is not anywhere near ready for Super Rugby.

Maybe all follow up discussion should go to the Brumbies 26 thread.

 

[rugbyAU]

Roar reporting Scott Young set to join