Waratahs 2026

[The Ghost of Raelene]

If someone is willing to throw a few years at you to play Rugby take it. Long time retired from it.

Gordon and Wilson to carry the load. I see MacDonald still training with the Tahs as well. Few good kids in the system as well with Blank and Sharples maybe get some time in Super Rugby Aus. Then I really hope the Tahs have Angus Grover on the must sign list. Last years Aus 18s 9 in year 11 and just lead St Ignatius to the GPS prem. He's a very good prospect. Couple years off the Super Rugby but they should be doing that sort of planning.

 

[Braveheart81]

Need some revenue to help launch that fashion label.

If he gets offered substantially more money then sure. My point was that I don't think he'd relocate across the country to move from third choice to second choice.

This is all predicated on him being offered a new contract by the Waratahs (which isn't certain). I had originally thought he was already on contract but re-reading the posts I now see that it was Ben Grant already being contracted that was referenced. I think Jack Grant was just for 2025.

So yeah, if there's no Waratahs contract then I can see him moving to keep playing professional rugby. If there's a similar contract to be third string for the Waratahs or second string for the Force I doubt he'd move.

 

[teamsport]

Ideally when Jake Gordon leaves in 2027 and hopefully Teddy and him stay around till that time. You will have a halfback who has sat as third string for a few years. Unfortunately Jack Grant does not fit that profile.

Beyond that there also needs to be a plan for someone to come in as third string in 2028 as well.

 

[Major Tom]

If he gets offered substantially more money then sure. My point was that I don't think he'd relocate across the country to move from third choice to second choice.

This is all predicated on him being offered a new contract by the Waratahs (which isn't certain). I had originally thought he was already on contract but re-reading the posts I now see that it was Ben Grant already being contracted that was referenced. I think Jack Grant was just for 2025.

So yeah, if there's no Waratahs contract then I can see him moving to keep playing professional rugby. If there's a similar contract to be third string for the Waratahs or second string for the Force I doubt he'd move.

Well it might also be length of contract. We’re speculating, but force might offer him a couple of years instead of the year by year extension.

 

[Major Tom]

Ideally when Jake Gordon leaves in 2027 and hopefully Teddy and him stay around till that time. You will have a halfback who has sat as third string for a few years. Unfortunately Jack Grant does not fit that profile.

Beyond that there also needs to be a plan for someone to come in as third string in 2028 as well.

It’s what makes the Werchon and Thomas resigning so fascinating. Still reckon Australian rugby missed a trick by having both those blokes competing for the 2nd spot on the reds roster. If Tate snagged a sabbatical in the future it will makes sense. I suppose both still would still be trying to displace Gordon and teddy.

 

[Blazing Saddles]

Wes Thomas wins Catchpole ,well deserved, mind you from the rats so won't get a gig with the Tahs, maybe the brumbies

 

[Pfitzy]

Wes Thomas wins Catchpole ,well deserved, mind you from the rats so won't get a gig with the Tahs, maybe the brumbies

My Subbies club was at Dee Why Lions in 2019 looking for a win. During warm-up this van pulled up and a few large lads get out. One guy playing at outside centre was unstoppable BUT he crossed the line about 4 times then offloaded to the guy chasing in support.

We thought it was odd to give up tries like that.

Next week someone posted a photo of the guy in Rats gear in our player chat. It was Wes Thomas. Turns out the Rats had the bye that week so he must have come for a run with mates. Not sure his coach would have approved, or the competition administrators at either end.

https://renegades.net.au/match-stats/?resultid=483&gameyear=2019

 

[fatprop]

My Subbies club was at Dee Why Lions in 2019 looking for a win. During warm-up this van pulled up and a few large lads get out. One guy playing at outside centre was unstoppable BUT he crossed the line about 4 times then offloaded to the guy chasing in support.

We thought it was odd to give up tries like that.

Next week someone posted a photo of the guy in Rats gear in our player chat. It was Wes Thomas. Turns out the Rats had the bye that week so he must have come for a run with mates. Not sure his coach would have approved, or the competition administrators at either end.

https://renegades.net.au/match-stats/?resultid=483&gameyear=2019

That used to happen a lot, I used to work with a load of Samoans, a few of them still played subbies and they would see mates turn up for a game, some of which just happened to be on holidays from their pro teams in Europe

 

[KentwellCup>ShuteShield]

My Subbies club was at Dee Why Lions in 2019 looking for a win. During warm-up this van pulled up and a few large lads get out. One guy playing at outside centre was unstoppable BUT he crossed the line about 4 times then offloaded to the guy chasing in support.

We thought it was odd to give up tries like that.

Next week someone posted a photo of the guy in Rats gear in our player chat. It was Wes Thomas. Turns out the Rats had the bye that week so he must have come for a run with mates. Not sure his coach would have approved, or the competition administrators at either end.

https://renegades.net.au/match-stats/?resultid=483&gameyear=2019

What ever happened to the Dee Why Lions.

Its amazing how much of a stronghold the Northern Beaches was and still is of Rugby Union.

 

[Homer]

Numbers arent what they used to be on the beaches but rugby is still strong. The Rats have done a great job in building the junior rep sides and clubs like Dee Why still offer plenty.
The Newport crowd are still very vocal as well, especially if you are a ref.

 

[Pfitzy]

What ever happened to the Dee Why Lions.

Its amazing how much of a stronghold the Northern Beaches was and still is of Rugby Union.

Terrey Hills
Dee Why
Collaroy
Seaforth
ICMS
Roseville

All Subbies clubs 1-2 grades at some point in the last 20 years up that way.

All gone. Brothers back to just Colts as well.

 

[Homer]

Newport, Forrest and Savers are all still playing Kentwell or Barraclough cup while Wakehurst is in 4th Div. The good thing is that when an age group are short in numbers the clubs are teaming up to ensure the boys/girls get a run. The only real rugby playing school on the beaches is St Auggies, so it is a great effort by the clubs.

 

[Crashy]

isn’t there the peninsular cup where 8 schools from manly to Warriewood play each year ? St Paul’s, mater Maria, St lukes etc?

 

[Homer]

A number of schools have a team or two and there are some sevens comps but mainly for prep school and they are one day events.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Northern Beaches also have a strong Women’s game with both Manly and Warringah going deep.

 

[Raytah]

Terrey Hills
Dee Why
Collaroy
Seaforth
ICMS
Roseville

All Subbies clubs 1-2 grades at some point in the last 20 years up that way.

All gone. Brothers back to just Colts as well.

Played many years for Roseville. Loved it, but one year the comp involved travel to Burraneer, Menai, Blue Mountains, Newport etc. Admittedly, plenty of other factors contributed to the club folding but that year hurt.

 

[Pfitzy]

Newport, Forrest and Savers are all still playing Kentwell or Barraclough cup while Wakehurst is in 4th Div.

Newport and Forest are reasonably strong at the moment being 1st and 2nd Div.

Savers are in 6th division with one grade. They were on a good trajectory a few years back with 2 good grades and looking like adding a third but some back office gaps let them down. Hopefully they get Colts going soon and build up, but for years they never wanted to be more than one team.

Wakehurst are in fourth division and that is one grade + Colts.

Savers and Wakehurst experience growing pains due to premier rugby on the peninsula. Many clubs further west get pressure from Gordon in a similar fashion.

 

[bomber06]

Hopefully McKellar stops being an idiot and plays JAS at 13 and Jorgo at 15 next year.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

As good as Walton was last year and I think DM likes him as an effort and glue guy I think a O'Donnell and JAS pairing has the highest potential. Size and offloading. Defence is an issue which could see a Walton, JAS pairing being the safer one to start.

 

[Wilson]

As good as Walton was last year and I think DM likes him as an effort and glue guy I think a O'Donnell and JAS pairing has the highest potential. Size and offloading. Defence is an issue which could see a Walton, JAS pairing being the safer one to start.

Has O'Donnell ever played 12? Which way are you arranging him and Sua'ali'i in the dream scenario?