The Phil Waugh Rumour
Roar Pro
By The Roar, 21 Mar 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Phil Waugh, Rugby Union, Super Rugby
A rumour is a rumour. It’s not hard news, although in due course it may be. The Roar was tipped off that Phil Waugh will play in Wales next season by a current grade player who, in turn, was tipped off by a member of the NSW Waratahs squad.
We could be more precise about this player, but suffice to say that he is in a very good position to know what is going on inside the Waratahs camp.
Phil Waugh has denied the rumour. And that is where the matter rests right now.
He is off contract. He is 30 in August. It is unlikely that he will ever be the number one openside flanker in Australian rugby and therefore a first choice Wallaby again.
George Smith is the preferred openside flanker and, with Richie McCaw, dominates this position in world rugby.
The Western Force’s David Pocock (1.83m. 103 kg) is bigger and taller than the 1.75 Waugh, and younger at 21 years old.
By 2011, a Rugby World Cup year, Pocock will be in his physical prime and Waugh, great warrior that he has been and still is, will be 32 and nearing the end of his remarkable rugby career.
His attraction for an overseas club is that the nearer we get to 2011, the fewer world class players in Australia, New Zealand or South Africa there are that will be prepared to go to Europe.
The ARU and the NZRU are announcing almost on a weekly basis players who are re-signing for the end of 2011.
Right now, therefore, is a seller’s market if a world class player like Waugh wants to play overseas.
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- Explore:
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LeftArmSpinner said | March 21st 2009 @ 6:11am | Report comment
go the Roar. Gossip is all good, and you have got the denial. Proves nothing, but increases the intrigue. Waugh is daft to be sharing his contract plans with team mates, mid season!!
pothale said | March 21st 2009 @ 7:58am | Report comment
Waugh is not going. This is but a rumour designed to put people off the scent of the real story. The Welsh club in question is trying desperately to keep a lid on it, since their bid failed on the player they were actually looking for.
The Rugby Guy said | March 21st 2009 @ 9:24pm | Report comment
Who cares what Waugh does he is just another good player.
Why souldn’t he chase the money to set himself up for retirement.
Beale on the other hand is crap so lets hopes he either goes to league or Wales as aoon as possible next week would be good. Tomorrow is the start of next we.
Beales departure can’t come quick enough for me.
stillmissit said | March 22nd 2009 @ 10:30am | Report comment
If he does go it will be the end of one of the most outstanding players who should never have played for the Waratahs/Wallabies of all time. His legacy will be to prove that regardless of what natural phsical attributes you bring to the game it all amounts to nothing if you are tough enough and work hard enough.
A great player and I suspect a great man.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen said | March 22nd 2009 @ 6:37pm | Report comment
To be perfectly honest Phil Waugh is one of the main reasons I watch the Tahs. I admire his qualities of ‘leading from the front’ and those eyes & body language that urge his troops to try even harder. Shame not many are listening.
Eventually time catches up to all of us and so I hope that the Tahs are grooming their next skipper. To be honest though I’m scratching my head as to who it will be. For me it needs to be someone in the pack.
Jameswm said | March 23rd 2009 @ 11:05am | Report comment
Next skipper?
Benn Robbo?
Dean Mumm?
SNK?
They have zero leadership experience at that level but I’m battling to think of anyone else.
Dean Mumm’s a bit of a golden child so maybe him.
stillmissit said | March 23rd 2009 @ 11:37am | Report comment
I dont think the Waratahs have a pot full of leaders to take over. Maybe Burgess if he can improve his pass and cement his spot. I certainly think he has the right stuff.
stillmissit said | March 23rd 2009 @ 12:17pm | Report comment
One other thing I want to say about Phil Waugh.
In my book he is the very essence of what it means to be a Waratah. Uncompromising and totally dedicated and above it all a man of apparently good character. We could do with another 10 like him coming through from the youngsters.
Maybe the next generation will be more like Phil and less like – - – you fill in the blank?
scarlet said | March 24th 2009 @ 11:15pm | Report comment
i hope being a scarlets fan that the roar’s rumor is correct and phil will be seen in red at the new Parc next season turnng us back into a european force once again.
What do you think of Daniel Halangahu ? and is it true that he has signed for us for next year ?
stillmissit said | March 25th 2009 @ 9:26am | Report comment
Scvarlet this could be the real story. Halangahu could be up for a change as he will struggle to get into the Wallabies.