Waratahs 2026

[Brumby Runner]

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.

I wouldn't mind if the Brumbies were able to snaffle Werchon at some time (imo more potential than Thomas but Maartens likely to best of all) but otherwise I am quite happy with the progress of Klayton Thorn. In the same age group as Thomas and Wilson, but again imo a higher ceiling. He has the physique to play like Farr-Jones. His acceleration is evident in his many breaks from the scrum base, a la McDermott. Further development required, but expect he'll get a lot of playing time in SR26.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Thorn will naturally get a lot of mins into him. As much as Thomas and Wilson so it out him and the Brumbies in a good position to figure things out.

Naturally the Reds and Tahs won’t hold 3 top line 9s (assuming they all kick on)

I was surprised the Force didn’t bring Philipson back. He looked really good for Norths and I know it’s Club footy but they haven’t replaced his spot it seems?

 

[Major Tom]

Thorn will naturally get a lot of mins into him. As much as Thomas and Wilson so it out him and the Brumbies in a good position to figure things out.

Naturally the Reds and Tahs won’t hold 3 top line 9s (assuming they all kick on)

I was surprised the Force didn’t bring Philipson back. He looked really good for Norths and I know it’s Club footy but they haven’t replaced his spot it seems?

When is Gordon signed until? You’d suggest that he and Tate would probably be keen to try overseas after the WC.

 

[teamsport]

When is Gordon signed until? You’d suggest that he and Tate would probably be keen to try overseas after the WC.

I imagine Gordon would leave in 2028 definetly with Grover to come in at least as a third string option by then as the plan. He will be in the 20’s the next few seasons. Teddy will be number one by 2028 and to see more minutes this year and next although he is not signed for 2027 yet. McKellar did seem to keep his word in terms of giving him more opportunity in 2025, it was strange Teddy barely played Super Rugby Aus though.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

When is Gordon signed until? You’d suggest that he and Tate would probably be keen to try overseas after the WC.

Gordon will be 34 when his contract expires. Body dependent on playing on but could go around in Japan if he wants.

Tate at 29 post WC will be interesting. Obviously have interest from RA and franchises here but also his last chance at that age to land a big OS deal in the 3-4 year range at big money. Could be too hard to pass up.

I imagine Gordon would leave in 2028 definetly with Grover to come in at least as a third string option by then as the plan. He will be in the 20’s the next few seasons. Teddy will be number one by 2028 and to see more minutes this year and next although he is not signed for 2027 yet. McKellar did seem to keep his word in terms of giving him more opportunity in 2025, it was strange Teddy barely played Super Rugby Aus though.

Not worried about that. The Tahs used the comp as an exercise in filling squad positions it seemed and McDonald earned a spot so job done.

 

[teamsport]

McDonald can’t box kick to a professional standard so I don’t know if he is the answer to be honest. It’s half the job these days.

 

[Agent]

McDonald can’t box kick to a professional standard so I don’t know if he is the answer to be honest. It’s half the job these days.

Awesome bring him in….. let’s play some actual rugby.

 

[Adam84]

I wouldn't mind if the Brumbies were able to snaffle Werchon at some time (imo more potential than Thomas but Maartens likely to best of all) but otherwise I am quite happy with the progress of Klayton Thorn. In the same age group as Thomas and Wilson, but again imo a higher ceiling. He has the physique to play like Farr-Jones. His acceleration is evident in his many breaks from the scrum base, a la McDermott. Further development required, but expect he'll get a lot of playing time in SR26.

Is Klaytonn Thorns court case still ongoing, I seem to remember him in the news for assault or something? Might impact his contract if so

 

[Brumby Runner]

Don't know Adam. Haven't heard any result.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Believe it’s still in the system.

From the sounds of it there shouldn’t really be any worry of serious consequences but not ideal. If Reece is able to live his best life, Theon is alright.

 

[Wilson]

Believe it’s still in the system.

From the sounds of it there shouldn’t really be any worry of serious consequences but not ideal. If Reece is able to live his best life, Theon is alright.

Wholly different legal systems, but I agree it probably won't have a long term impact on his playing career. The more relevant cases are probably Paisami/Fa'amausili and Vunivalu, which would suggest a short term ban for Thorn in the neighborhood of 4-8 weeks, depending on the result of the court case.

If he's completely absolved or wrong doing he could skip a ban altogether (he's been pretty lucky with timing not to have had one already), but any sort of suspended sentence or slap on the wrist from the court will likely see RA/Brumbies sit him out for a little while. It seems pretty unlikely the outcome will be worse than that though.

 

[Braveheart81]

The Waratahs have signed Lachlan Hooper.

The NSW Waratahs are excited to announce the signing of the talented Lachlan Hooper whose return to his home State will bolster the squad’s backrow stocks.

Hooper, born in Bathurst, NSW and schooled at Sydney’s Barker College, is another product of the NSW Waratahs Pathways program, having started in it from Under 16s.

Now 21, the 2023 Junior Wallabies player returns to NSW from the ACT Brumbies.

Hooper’s time in Canberra began in 2022 when he moved there with his brother Tom to play for the Tuggeranong Vikings and then with the Brumbies 2023 Under 19s Premiership winning team, before joining the Brumbies for the 2024 and 2025 Super Rugby seasons.

Since 2024, Hooper has also played in New Zealand with NPC side Northland Taniwha.

NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar has welcomed Hooper’s return to NSW.

“It is great to see a young player of Lachlan’s calibre return to play for his home State,” McKellar said.

“Lachlan’s a good young player whose experience of having played in Canberra and in New Zealand will add value to the already excellent backrow players we have at the Waratahs.”​

 

[fatprop]

Awesome bring him in….. let’s play some actual rugby.

So how should a team play "actual rugby"?

When the ball is 3m outside the 22, off static ball?

 

[Tomikin]

So how should a team play "actual rugby"?

When the ball is 3m outside the 22, off static ball?

Run !!! Run it from everywhere .. haha

 

[A mutterer]

Run !!! Run it from everywhere .. haha

This is the way.

 

[Agent]

So how should a team play "actual rugby"?

When the ball is 3m outside the 22, off static ball?

I'm not suggesting we cut anyone's feet off completely! I would just like to see less pointless kicking that gifts the ball to the opposition and encourages them to counter attack from halfway. Kicking is always going to be important but I would just like it to be more constructive.

 

[Braveheart81]

I would just like to see less pointless kicking that gifts the ball to the opposition and encourages them to counter attack from halfway. Kicking is always going to be important but I would just like it to be more constructive.

I think it's pretty clear that just about every team doesn't want to have possession within their own half from static ball.

I wouldn't call the kicking pointless. The point of it is literally to improve field position with the view that it's better to be defending in the attacking half than attacking from the defensive side of halfway.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Modern rugby. Now teams actually train defense, they would rather defend on the 40m line, than attack on the 22.

I do wonder sometimes how many complaints about pointless kicks there would be if 5/8s kicked it like they used to instead of 9s.

 

[fatprop]

I'm not suggesting we cut anyone's feet off completely! I would just like to see less pointless kicking that gifts the ball to the opposition and encourages them to counter attack from halfway. Kicking is always going to be important but I would just like it to be more constructive.

There is a fair bit of evidence - the more the Tahs f*ck around with the ball in shit positions, the more likely they are to run out of units/ideas and turn over the ball

 

[teamsport]

I have heard Swinton is not the happiest in France and could return home at some stage over the next few season as well as Angus Scott Young is a chance to come back for 2026 to the Waratahs (home sick).