Waratahs 2026

[The Ghost of Raelene]

He's a way down depth pickup that I think has jumped at the chance to come home and be paid something over being a genuine starting guy come round 1.

Walton, JAS, O'Donnell, Ropata, Poolman as the Centres
Jorgo, Kellaway, Potter, Reilly, Hendren, Harvey the outside backs.

Likely to always have a couple on the sidelines.

 

[Pass it to Dunning!]

I actually think Poolman might end up ahead of Walton pretty soon. He was great in the Super Rugby Australia competition and I suspect Walton has peaked.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

We are seeing the best of Walton currently. I would also temper expectations on Poolman when he's shown nothing at Super Rugby thus far to think he'll be something extraordinary right away.

O'Donnell, Ropata would be ahead of Poolman IMO

 

[bomber06]

If McKellar doesn't pick JAS at 13, then that would be ridiculous. And whilst Walton is industrious, tahs aren't winning anything of note with him starting. He's a good squaddie IMHO.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I hope with the back 3 depth in the group he is up front. I do understand DM consistently picked JAS at Fullback but I'd personally being trying to get as many attacking threats on the park as possible when the pack is going to have to be more workmanlike with Bell and Gleeson not there. Huge amount of punch gone regardless of Samu.

 

[A mutterer]

Dan and Les need to have a chat about where JAS will play under him and build around that. If it's at 13 then he needs time in the position and build the backline around that.

Haven't seen enough of O'Donnell to know if he can play 12?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Played plenty of 12 coming through as a School Boy, Club. With Bowen as his 10 as well...

 

[Wilson]

Dan and Les need to have a chat about where JAS will play under him and build around that. If it's at 13 then he needs time in the position and build the backline around that.

I think there's probably even less chance of that happening next than there was this year when Schmidt stayed pretty hands off. No super coach is going to want one of their opposition coaches chiming in on who to pick and where to play them, and Kiss has been pretty clear he won't be doing anything like that while he's the Reds coach.

The most we can probably hope for there is that there's a request from Horne/RA to get Sua'ali'i practicing his place kicking again (and kicking in game if he's doing well enough) so that we have some options if Carter ends up at 10 for the Wallabies.

 

[Crashy]

I actually think they can put their big boy pants on have a chat about the bigger JAS picture.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I think they would gauge ideas off each other but Les isn't going to make requests. These guys are HCs because they enjoy running the ship and usually don't enjoy being told how they should drive it.

I think there's probably even less chance of that happening next than there was this year when Schmidt stayed pretty hands off. No super coach is going to want one of their opposition coaches chiming in on who to pick and where to play them, and Kiss has been pretty clear he won't be doing anything like that while he's the Reds coach.

The most we can probably hope for there is that there's a request from Horne/RA to get Sua'ali'i practicing his place kicking again (and kicking in game if he's doing well enough) so that we have some options if Carter ends up at 10 for the Wallabies.

The other guy in this is Jorgo. Was a kicker his entire youth and don't know how much he does now but it should be practised.

 

[A mutterer]

I think there's probably even less chance of that happening next than there was this year when Schmidt stayed pretty hands off. No super coach is going to want one of their opposition coaches chiming in on who to pick and where to play them, and Kiss has been pretty clear he won't be doing anything like that while he's the Reds coach.

The most we can probably hope for there is that there's a request from Horne/RA to get Sua'ali'i practicing his place kicking again (and kicking in game if he's doing well enough) so that we have some options if Carter ends up at 10 for the Wallabies.

Well i was hoping for gentlemanly debate over an armagnac or somesuch rather than dan and phil having to get their hands dirty with the east coast mafia making the call to put the wallabies above state.

 

[Slim 293]

Under Armour getting into the Australian market, first with the Canberra Raiders and now the Tahs...

Under Armour Powers NSW Waratahs Into New Era of Rugby Performance

www.rugby.com.au

 

[Wilson]

Grover has signed with the tahs on a "multi-year deal":

NSW Waratahs Sign Angus Grover with Eye Firmly on the Future

www.rugby.com.au

The article is a little unclear, but it reads like it might be a full squad position, rather than just a development deal.

 

[Rob42]

Under Armour getting into the Australian market, first with the Canberra Raiders and now the Tahs...

Under Armour Powers NSW Waratahs Into New Era of Rugby Performance

www.rugby.com.au

Great news - cheap runout jerseys from the current sponsor incoming.

 

[Wilson]

Great news - cheap runout jerseys from the current sponsor incoming.

The current suppliers are ISC, who are in a "strategic partnership" with Under Armour, so you might not see the same clearance prices as are offered when there is a complete change over in supply or key sponsor.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Grover has signed with the tahs on a "multi-year deal":

NSW Waratahs Sign Angus Grover with Eye Firmly on the Future

www.rugby.com.au

The article is a little unclear, but it reads like it might be a full squad position, rather than just a development deal.

This is wonderful.

Type of player that ended up torturing the Tahs in Brumbies kit. Having watched him for a long time, he's one I can't help but feel will be a long term success.

 

[Wilson]

This is wonderful.

Type of player that ended up torturing the Tahs in Brumbies kit. Having watched him for a long time, he's one I can't help but feel will be a long term success.

He's been one of the standouts of a very good age grade crop around the nation just coming through right now. The improved pathways and retention across the board are looking very promising for the next world cup cycle and beyond.

This might leave Hwi Sharples looking for a spot elsewhere, assuming McDonald is hanging around. Could be a good fit for depth at the Force.

 

[Crashy]

yeah every year in the GPS system has seen him dominate. No idea re club and rep but I think he's a goodun. Had a chat with his dad last year who is flummoxed as to where this talent has come from. ( being humble no doubt as he also played View First XV.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

All the boys are quality. Both older Brothers playing 1st XV Hamish in Front Row was an Aussie Schools player and Liam was part of the Aus 20s this year. Talented family.

Liam has been playing for Sydney Uni so he could venture along there but Sharples is also with Uni... Gordon Junior so may stay with the them. Plenty of Clubs are paying Colts it seem so who knows. As long as he's getting meaningful minutes.

He's been one of the standouts of a very good age grade crop around the nation just coming through right now. The improved pathways and retention across the board are looking very promising for the next world cup cycle and beyond.

This might leave Hwi Sharples looking for a spot elsewhere, assuming McDonald is hanging around. Could be a good fit for depth at the Force.

McDonald seems a useful 3rd right now at 26 years old. Probably judge how Grover and Sharples are tracking by this time next year before making a call on him.

Grover at 18 is a prospect for the post Gordon era after 2027. He and Wilson would be a great combo but in theory also makes Wilson a prime target for a side as well when he's signed through to 2026.

Won't just be the Force in the market. Brums could be looking with Lonergan the only known quantity with Thorn and Nelson the 2,3.

 

[Wilson]

All the boys are quality. Both older Brothers playing 1st XV Hamish in Front Row was an Aussie Schools player and Liam was part of the Aus 20s this year. Talented family.

Liam has been playing for Sydney Uni so he could venture along there but Sharples is also with Uni... Gordon Junior so may stay with the them. Plenty of Clubs are paying Colts it seem so who knows. As long as he's getting meaningful minutes.


McDonald seems a useful 3rd right now at 26 years old. Probably judge how Grover and Sharples are tracking by this time next year before making a call on him.

Grover at 18 is a prospect for the post Gordon era after 2027. He and Wilson would be a great combo but in theory also makes Wilson a prime target for a side as well when he's signed through to 2026.

Won't just be the Force in the market. Brums could be looking with Lonergan the only known quantity with Thorn and Nelson the 2,3.

Brumbies issue is that their current crop are very young - Nelson and Thorn are like 22 and 21. Picking up a 20 year old to add to that isn't a great distribution. I feel like they might sniff around for an experienced pro (Powell maybe? Not super exciting) to come back and round out their career while they wait for a really exciting young candidate, or jump on Werchon/Thomas when they come off contract.

The force's spread right now is pretty suited to a 20 year old coming in, though it's a bit unclear what's happening with Phillipson.