Waratahs 2025

[Major Tom]

Two things with this.

- A lot of the noise does come externally. The Tahs are disliked by everyone else and that's fine and fair but they also seem to lead the bashing as soon as anything falters. A lot of Tahs fans accept the shit and understand to a degree, but everyone else loves to put the boot in which makes it seem louder than it probably is. Same thing happens with saying pre-season champs. Now I love to banter with the back-back-back-back pre season world champs crap but no Tahs fans (@Derpus maybe) thought the Tahs would do anything special this year.

- Slowly it seems the toxic old Club warts are disappearing from the scene who thought the Waratahs in the Pro world should run like the Waratahs of the 70s - 90s. This is mostly through age and I hope the GM/CEO can hold firm in developing a a franchise which is what it is and not just a senior rep side of the SS which is what those old germs think it is. Your'e not throwing away history, your'e running a fully professional organisation.

If they can buy in and back a bloke for a tenure the talent is there but it requires time to undo the BS and set standards.

This year was a weird one for the Tahs. New coach and a whole lot of new players. They've got some talent but still lack depth in key positions. I'd be more worried if they failed next year with more cohesion. Realistically, this year was more a success than a failure.

 

[Major Tom]

There's 3-4 Craig level Hookers in Club land.

Goddard did it at the start of the year so he'll be right for pre season but such a rookie he may be blooded but we cant expect anything major.

I could see him getting a taste of Super Rugby at the back end of next year's tournament. If Bloomfield can do it surely he can. Not trying to wish the years away, but geez it will be great if we can get a few tightheads around the same age at different states genuinely pushing vying for Wallabies selection!

 

[Rob42]

There is something desperately wrong with the culture at the Tahs, and has been for some time, effectively ever since Cheika left the room. The reflex response is to blame the coach, but I think it goes deeper than that. Dan was a successful coach at the Brumbies, Penney is having success at the Saders, but no-one can at the Tahs. Yes, there are some weaknesses around the positions, particularly in the second row and 10, 12 and 13, but there were a couple of games during the year, particularly v the Brumbies and the Chiefs, that demonstrated the ability is actually there but they so rarely operate at their maximum level, and often a mile short of it.

I don't know what must be done to rectify it, but at least Dan appreciates that this is a long-term problem and therefore not a quick fix. We will sorely miss Bell and Gleeson next year, who were without any question our two best forwards in an otherwise mediocre pack, with the so-called boost from the Rebels resulting in a significantly under-performing TT and Leota, both of whom looked like they didn't want to be there and are unlikely to be severely missed. One thing I really liked about Dan's comments were those about developing young players into long term Tahs. There is some real potential talent among guys like Botha, Talataina, Wilson, Bowen, O'Donnell, JAS, Jorgo and Lancaster, plus others behind them that haven't had a crack at Super rugby yet, if they can be developed and with them a change in culture, there could be a tomorrow!

Realistically, the Cheika and McKenzie periods of the Tahs, perhaps 1-2 years of a young team under Dwyer, are the only time when they've looked good, and that's just 5-6 years out of 30 years of Super Rugby.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I could see him getting a taste of Super Rugby at the back end of next year's tournament. If Bloomfield can do it surely he can. Not trying to wish the years away, but geez it will be great if we can get a few tightheads around the same age at different states genuinely pushing vying for Wallabies selection!

I hope so. First year out of School to be starting and doing well in 1st Grade is a great effort. Hopefully we see him around the senior squad.

 

[WoodysRFC]

Angus Blyth too.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

He does improve the squad as a whole but it's a very meh signing on it's own. He's bang on average.

Phillip, Grant, Blyth, Amatosero, FLW (Fergus Lee-Warner) is a much better group of Locks than what the Tahs had a couple of years ago though.

 

[Homer]

He does improve the squad as a whole but it's a very meh signing on it's own. He's bang on average.

Phillip, Grant, Blyth, Amatosero, FLW (Fergus Lee-Warner) (Fergus Lee-Warner) is a much better group of Locks than what the Tahs had a couple of years ago though.

Easily the tallest group. First time we have had four actual out-and-out second rowers.

 

[Homer]

Amotesero as a No.6?

 

[Champagne Rugby]

Easily the tallest group. First time we have had four actual out-and-out second rowers.

Would allow you to play Doyle at 6 which probably suits his height and weight better.

 

[upthereds#!]

Would allow you to play Doyle at 6 which probably suits his height and weight better.

FLW (Fergus Lee-Warner) probably the 6 in that group and the gritty Fardy style. Having him and Philip on the field together will bring some grizzled starch.

 

[wamberal99]

Amotesero as a No.6?

Not mobile enough.

 

[Brumby Runner]

The other off contract back rower out there in Aus is Charlie Cale. I assume he stays with the Brums but they have a lot of guys on the books through 26/27 already. Lachlan Hooper is off contract, Toms gone from ACT also but played no footy in Super Rugby so a bit of an unknown.

??

 

[Brumby Runner]

The pack will be brand new almost. No Vailanu, Bell, Heaven, Leota probably Tupou, sinclair and Gleeson.
Front row currently means
Hookers: Dobbin, Porecki (so desperately need another Hooker)
Props: Kailea, Simone, Lambert, Botha, Brown and Barrett. (doesn't exactly strike fear in the opposition)
2nd row: Phillips, Grant, FLW (Fergus Lee-Warner) (Fergus Lee-Warner), Amatosero (not too bad)
Back row: Gamble, Talataina, Adamson, Kalapu (think he may be gone), Halaholo and Samu. (hopefully Talataina can step up, has good potential but not sure a Talataina, Gamble, Samu backrow is well balanced). Doyle likely to be upgraded into top squad.

So from the survivors the starting pack is something like:
Lambert Porecki Botha
Phillips Grant
Gamble Samu Talataina

A fairly light pack without a line bending ball runner but very strong lineout.

Hooker the main recruitment area with one more tight head. Brown and Barrett probably nervous about their contracts. Ive noticed brown starting some games off the bench for Gordon.

Goddard has missed the season so needs game time and Tiitii and Langi need time in Grade.

I see Matt Philip went overseas and came back as Matt Phillips again.

 

[Braveheart81]

I see Matt Philip went overseas and came back as Matt Phillips again.

I would have thought the Japanese would have decreased the number of Ls, not given him an extra one!

 

[Brumby Runner]

I would have thought the Japanese would have decreased the number of Ls, not given him an extra one!

Just added a 'r' or two?

 

[Raytah]

The pack will be brand new almost. No Vailanu, Bell, Heaven, Leota probably Tupou, sinclair and Gleeson.
Front row currently means
Hookers: Dobbin, Porecki (so desperately need another Hooker)
Props: Kailea, Simone, Lambert, Botha, Brown and Barrett. (doesn't exactly strike fear in the opposition)
2nd row: Phillips, Grant, FLW (Fergus Lee-Warner) (Fergus Lee-Warner), Amatosero (not too bad)
Back row: Gamble, Talataina, Adamson, Kalapu (think he may be gone), Halaholo and Samu. (hopefully Talataina can step up, has good potential but not sure a Talataina, Gamble, Samu backrow is well balanced). Doyle likely to be upgraded into top squad.

So from the survivors the starting pack is something like:
Lambert Porecki Botha
Phillips Grant
Gamble Samu Talataina

A fairly light pack without a line bending ball runner but very strong lineout.

Hooker the main recruitment area with one more tight head. Brown and Barrett probably nervous about their contracts. Ive noticed brown starting some games off the bench for Gordon.

Goddard has missed the season so needs game time and Tiitii and Langi need time in Grade.

I reckon blokes up to super are:

Kailea / Lambert / [X]
Porecki / Dobbins / [X]
Botha / Amone/ Amatauanai
Blythe / Grant / Lee-Warner
Philip / Amotosero
Samu / Doyle / [X]
Gamble / Adamson
Talataina / [X]
Gordon / Wilson
Creighton / Bowen
Kellaway / Lancaster
Walton / [X]
O'Donnell / [X]
Jorgenson / Reilly
Sua'ali'i / [X]

To fill the gaps, I'd target:
- Michael Ala'alatoa
- Wes Thomas
- Charlie Cale
- Isi Naisarani
- Jarrah McCloud
- Isaac Henry
- James Kane

 

[fatprop]

What happened to Kailea?

 

[Qwertyrick]

I reckon blokes up to super are:

Kailea / Lambert / [X]
Porecki / Dobbins / [X]
Botha / Amone/ Amatauanai
Blythe / Grant / Lee-Warner
Philip / Amotosero
Samu / Doyle / [X]
Gamble / Adamson
Talataina / [X]
Gordon / Wilson
Creighton / Bowen
Kellaway / Lancaster
Walton / [X]
O'Donnell / [X]
Jorgenson / Reilly
Sua'ali'i / [X]

To fill the gaps, I'd target:
- Michael Ala'alatoa
- Wes Thomas
- Charlie Cale
- Isi Naisarani
- Jarrah McCloud
- Isaac Henry
- James Kane

What players are on and off contract ?

 

[The Cleaner]

maybe time to start a Tahs 2026 thread where we can dare to dream again.......

Already started dreaming

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

What happened to Kailea?

Playing for Randwick...

Can only think some comments from DM around training and buy in might be giving guys like Kailea a rocket as we saw nothing of him in the second half of the season.

I reckon blokes up to super are:

To fill the gaps, I'd target:
- Michael Ala'alatoa
- Wes Thomas
- Charlie Cale
- Isi Naisarani
- Jarrah McCloud
- Isaac Henry
- James Kane

Ala'alatoa, Cale, Mcloud would be amazing gets but because of this desired by the places they're at I'm sure.

Naisarani is plodding around in SS looking nothing like a starting Test 8. James Kane is a guy I'd trust if the Tahs needed a starting 15 due to injury week of a game but at 29 I struggle to see value in being around that much. Guys like Sid Harvey should be slowly brought into the fold as well as Cooper Watters who is on the U20s wing but playing 15 with Easts I think.

Henry's injuries make him such a gamble. I personally think he's more likely to end up on a train and trial back with the Reds as he has zero bargaining power.