Waratahs 2026

[Dctarget]

Roar reporting Scott Young set to join

Significant downgrade on Gleeson.. I like Angus's work ethic but hopefully nothing more than a bench player for the 'Tahs.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Would love Gleeson at 8 but he was gone before this was ever on the cards so a pickup of an established pro is a positive IMO. Leota and FLWgone.

7s: Gamble, Adamson, Durbige (Rookie
6/8s: Talataina, Samu, Doyle (Rookie) and potentially Halahalo

ASY (Angus Scott-Young) makes the current group better.

 

[Dctarget]

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.

I partially agree, you need to juggle player retention and winning games but we have such a bias for unknown potential compared to current level.

We assume that player's progression will be linear and continue as they age. Petaia is a great example, burst onto the scene at 19 and we all thought sky's the limit and he hasn't really gotten significantly better. Outside backs are particularly vulnerable to this bias. Forwards are a different kettle of fish.

We also love future players because it's a rosy world with limitless potential compared to the stark reality of the current crop and what we know they can produce.

Hendren for example is older than Sua'ali'i and Jorgensen.

 

[JRugby2]

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.

This is the sad part of the rebels going under (and having a small competition more broadly) in that we have no where for these types of stories to go and continue their development. In the NRL guys like this would probably find a home on a roster somewhere and have the opportunity to at least try and continue to develop.

If he's no longer on the Tahs radar you have to feel it's probably curtains on his career.

 

[Braveheart81]

I partially agree, you need to juggle player retention and winning games but we have such a bias for unknown potential compared to current level.

We assume that player's progression will be linear and continue as they age. Petaia is a great example, burst onto the scene at 19 and we all thought sky's the limit and he hasn't really gotten significantly better. Outside backs are particularly vulnerable to this bias. Forwards are a different kettle of fish.

We also love future players because it's a rosy world with limitless potential compared to the stark reality of the current crop and what we know they can produce.

Hendren for example is older than Sua'ali'i and Jorgensen.

My view is based around where the team is at. They've been a struggling to mediocre team for a few years.

If you're a competitor for the title you want more players at the bottom end of the roster who are ready to play right now if needed. If you're at the other end of the spectrum you shift the balance to promoting young talent in the hope that it's what will help you become a competitor a few years down the track.

We've clearly lost some forwards who we would have loved to retain but largely I'm in favour of the shift to youth. I think the Tahs also need to change the narrative that starring in our under 19s team is the best way to straight into the senior squad rather than look elsewhere.

 

[Braveheart81]

If he's no longer on the Tahs radar you have to feel it's probably curtains on his career.

I don't think that's necessarily the case. I think the Tahs have absolutely made the right choice picking out Grover from a younger age group as a better talent.

I think Sharples has plenty of potential to be a third string guy on a bunch of Super Rugby squads or in other competitions. That spot just isn't available at the Tahs this season.

 

[Ignoto]

Interesting to see Angus land at the Tahs.

With the recent most departures at the Reds, particularly Vest and Liam, there is space for a backrower in the spot along with some tall timber. So I'm surprised the Reds couldn't get him home.

 

[Agent]

What ever happened to Mesu Kunavalu? Is he still in the Tahs squad or has he moved on?

 

[Wilson]

Interesting to see Angus land at the Tahs.

With the recent most departures at the Reds, particularly Vest and Liam, there is space for a backrower in the spot along with some tall timber. So I'm surprised the Reds couldn't get him home.

I would've been happy enough to see him back at the Reds, but available cash in the locks/backrow needs to go to a 3rd string lock option first. The backrow is already very well covered with Wilson, McReight, Uru, Brial, Bryant and now Latu and Robinson showing well coming through. Signing Angus would probably force Uru to operate as the 3rd string lock which wouldn't have been an ideal result.

 

[JRugby2]

I don't think that's necessarily the case. I think the Tahs have absolutely made the right choice picking out Grover from a younger age group as a better talent.

I think Sharples has plenty of potential to be a third string guy on a bunch of Super Rugby squads or in other competitions. That spot just isn't available at the Tahs this season.

Is that spot open anywhere though? I agree he's probably good enough - my point is, is that there are lots of players who are good enough to be there but their isn't a spot available for them in Australia. Is it likely that he'll get a gig OS?

 

[Wilson]

Is that spot open anywhere though? I agree he's probably good enough - my point is, is that there are lots of players who are good enough to be there but their isn't a spot available for them in Australia. Is it likely that he'll get a gig OS?

I think the Force would make sense for him, the Brumbies could maybe use another 9 but their crop is already really concentrated around that age group so I don't think he fits there.

He's probably a prime candidate for MLR or Japan though. He is also South Korean qualified, so if they were to make more of a push internationally now that the world cup has been expanded he could have some options there.

 

[JRugby2]

I think the Force would make sense for him, the Brumbies could maybe use another 9 but their crop is already really concentrated around that age group so I don't think he fits there.

He's probably a prime candidate for MLR or Japan though. He is also South Korean qualified, so if they were to make more of a push internationally now that the world cup has been expanded he could have some options there.

MLR is on shaky ground as a competition but that's probably the most likely spot for him with Japanese Rugby becoming more and more picky on who they sign from overseas.

 

[Adam84]

By losing Bell, Tupou, Gleeson, and then gaining Blyth, Samu and ASY (Angus Scott-Young). The Tahs forward pack has gone from a power based playing group, to a very workmanlike one in the space of the off-season.

 

[Crashy]

we also gained that hooker though who is a bit of a wrecking ball.

 

[Adam84]

we also gained that hooker though who is a bit of a wrecking ball.

Not sure I’d class Folau Fainga’a as a wrecking ball, he is a bit more workman like as well(in a good way). Don’t remember him ever being a big ball carrier or overly dominant in collisions.

 

[Red Runner]

Not sure I’d class Folau Fainga’a as a wrecking ball, he is a bit more workman like as well(in a good way). Don’t remember him ever being a big ball carrier or overly dominant in collisions.

perhaps he means the Crusader guy?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Ioane Moananu.

Jack Barrett is the other guy in the squad who is coming towards a crossroads with some of the units who will filter through like Goddard, Langi etc. Mass was his issue and he is looking bigger but can he get to big enough?

 

[Wilson]

we also gained that hooker though who is a bit of a wrecking ball.

Moannanu is, but not really any more so than Vailanu was. Certainly not enough to offset the shift in other positions. It's not necessarily a problem, but it will likely mean a pretty big tactical shift is required, paticularly given how important Bell and Gleeson were to the tahs this year.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I want to see maul after maul being worked on with FF (Folau Fainga'a) coming on board. He's one of the great sneaks from the back of a GOOD MAUL.

 

[Red Runner]

Assume Gamble is 7 and Samu is 8??? Would Tah fans prefer Hooper or ASY (Angus Scott-Young) at 6? Or is there another player I am forgetting? Young Talataina or even Doyle? Would you consider Doyle more a backrower at this grade?