Overseas players, including some internationals, are queuing up to replace Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri at the Waratahs after his sacking by the Australian Rugby Union.
NSW coach Chris Hickey has three spots to fill on his roster for next year, with two reserved for backs and another for a second row forward.
Hickey admitted Tuqiri’s sacking left a big hole in the Waratahs’ squad.
While Hickey said his initial preference was to contract someone from within Australia, he thought that now might not be possible.
He said NSW had already received a number of inquiries from overseas players.
“It’s been a mixture. We’ve had some international players who have expressed an interest,” Hickey said at a Waratahs’ press conference on Monday.
“We’ve also had some other players who might be just on the verge of (representing) their own country and aren’t quite making it there, who sense there may be an opportunity to play with the Waratahs.
“It’s mostly the southern hemisphere where the interest has come. The northern hemisphere contract dealing is basically finished, so most of the interest that we’ve had has come from New Zealand and South Africa.”
While Wallabies star Drew Mitchell was originally recruited as a fullback, Hickey sad he could move to the wing to replace Tuqiri while the Waratahs were still waiting to hear back from Queensland and Wallabies playmaker Berrick Barnes.
They also needed some overseas cover at lock.
“Most of the good locks in Australia are contracted at the moment … we’ve had a number of inquiries from players overseas, particularly from New Zealand and South Africa,” he said.
While Hickey again emphasised the possibility of legal action prevented him from talking in detail about the reasons behind Tuqiri’s dismissal, he backed the Australian Rugby Union’s handling of the situation.
“I think the ARU has handled the whole process very professionally,” Hickey said.
NSW announced the re-signing on Monday of three forwards, Test prop Sekope Kepu, young hooker Damien Fitzpatrick and flanker Ben Mowen.
According to Mowen, the Waratahs were “a little shocked” by the termination of Tuqiri’s contact, but had sent him messages of support.
Mowen said Tuqiri had been a huge part of the Waratahs’ squad.
“He brings a lot to the team and particularly the young guys in helping them settle in,” Mowen said.
“I know he’s played a huge role in helping (young back) Kurtley (Beale) develop his game, so he will be dearly missed.”
One former team mate Mowen isn’t missing, is flanker Rocky Elsom, who opted to sign with the Brumbies rather than the Waratahs.
Mowen said he was “not at all” disappointed to learn Elsom had joined the Brumbies.
“I went out and had a beer, it was good,” Mowen joked.
“He (Elsom) is obviously a great asset to have back in Australia, but as long as he’s not here, it’s perfect.”
AndyS
Guest
Bay, my understanding is that premier club funding is additional to the other funding received from the ARU, specifically to put the polish on. I thought your point was that it is spread too thin across all those clubs - mine was that it would perhaps be better spent on the specific group of players about to make the jump to professionalism. Saves polishing everything all at once, rocks and diamonds. But even if it was viewed as separate, I'd love to see where all the money goes too though. I struggle to believe that all of the ~$90M ARU turnover gets spent on things that are more effective at creating a strong code than the ARC, when even in the one year it ran demonstrably did an superior job of underpinning the Wallabies (that generate almost all that money). Even more so when they have added a couple of Tests each year since then, at about $4M of new revenue each. What has that money gone on?
Chop
Roar Guru
Jarryd Hayne could be anything in either code. Marty he can switch between world cups but only once (which is designed to help the lower ranked nations in each world cup) so he could play for Australia again if he submitted the paperwork. It would just mean next world cup it would be that he could only play for Australia. As an Eels and Tahs supporter, I don't want to see Hayne go and play union for the Tahs, at least in league he can go get the ball and make an impact, he'd catch a cold on the end of the Tahs backline.
Brett McKay
Guest
Pablo, the Tahs released Carraro early to head to Europe, only in the last month or six weeks too. Batger is still running around for Eastwood, but not sure of his Super status..
Jameswm
Guest
Guys Jarrod hayne is the real deal, but do we really want to go down that path again? Anthony - you said:- "Anyway, do the Tahs really need a winger?? Not as if Lote was used much this year anyway…." It's funny you say that, because a week ago we were short a couple of players in my U10s side (normally 12-a-side - no fullback or breakaways). I thought about which back to lose and decided on our left winger, as he doesn't get the ball much anyway. For some reason the ball tends to go to the right more. I told the 5/8 and outside centre to cover that side in defence. Anyway, we managed fine with only the one winger! We weren't playing the strongest team though...
Marty
Guest
ruckingisfun, Great call on Hayne. I don't like the leaguie option, but he is a very skillfull player and has played for Fiji in league, so surely cannot get any higher honours than NSW now... Very motivated too.
Bay35Pablo
Roar Guru
AndyS, the ARC put the polish on club rugby players. As such, I think the funding needs to be additional. Otherwise you are stealing from Peter to pay Paul. If you reefed the funding from club rugby, which I would oppose, you'd have a poorer product and probably have some clubs drop out or into subbies. I'd love to see what the ARU gets in and pays out every year, and see how wisely it is being spent. The Wallabies seem to draw the money in, which then gets spread very thin. Super Rugby seems to break even rather than fund grass roots. And I forgot the refs for club rugby. That's another cost, assuming the top level gets paid.
AndyS
Guest
Hmmm Bay, perhaps you are right. But then, that same $1.8M would be over half the projected second year cost of the ARC which we know did an excellent job of bringing players through to Super rugby. Maybe time for a rethink and revisit?
Bay35Pablo
Roar Guru
Ratu will do the job, if he stays fit. Batger and Carraro were the back ups in the squad. So have we let them go yet ... ? Andrew Smith, D'Arcy, etc. There are some decent players in club rugby, they are just untested. Quick fix costing big bucks vs trying a young pup? Which one will the NSWRU go with? Hmmm. Andy S, $1.8m would barely keep the lights on for Sydney club rugby. Split 12 ways that's about $150K each. Barely enough to cover admin costs and the coaching staff being professional. for teams without licenced clubs to support them, and decent sponsorship, that's just operating expenses.
ruckingisfun
Guest
Given his perfomrance against the Wallaby - does anyone rate Gower worthy of consideration - in a losing team I thought his performance was excellent - I understand he has also won the award for best player in the French league last year (the issue for him would probably be coming back to the Sydney fishbowl again)
ruckingisfun
Guest
From what i have seen he is an out and out try scorer He knows how to beat a man Can put a team mate into a gap has speed to burn Outstanding defence Can catch a high ball He has all the skills you need of a union winger - Another thing is that he has also played in the Centres and at Fullback - so he has demonstrated an ability to adpt to various conditions - I believe he is a much more complete player than others who have come across from league - and he is at his prime
Spencer
Guest
Ruckingisfun - Can Hayne play Rugby? Serious question.
ruckingisfun
Guest
They would have to go for Jrrod Hayne - I read somewhere he is coming off contract with the Eels - he is the best finisher in either code and can deal with the high ball. No one in the Shute Shield comes near him
Antony
Guest
I truly can't believe that there are no aussies out there that could not play wing. First of all Nasiganiyavi should be given the chance. Anyway, do the Tahs really need a winger?? Not as if Lote was used much this year anyway....
Working Class Rugger
Guest
AndyS There is one DHP from Gordon he looks handy in the tackle. And he is playing Sydney club Rugby. Not an ex- league or a Queenslander either :D Shane Williams or Cedric Heymans are a little long in the tooth for my liking. Can't remember his name but the guys who played fullback for the Stormers against the Brumbies in Cape Town had alot of gas and good skill. He'd be a good option. Though big Ratu Nasiyangavi should get first crack.
Jameswm
Guest
I think winger's a bit different to the other positions. Is there anyone out there in clubland who has some serious toe and other skills as well? There certainly are good players in all other positions.
Who Needs Melon
Guest
Yes, forget the Sydney clubs. Stick to the usual options: - grab an ex-league player who is on the wane, or - grab a young queenslander from under the Reds noses.
AndyS
Guest
So who's been snapped up this year? Club rugby makes a big deal about being capable of underpinning Super rugby, and receives $1.8M in premier funding from the ARU to do exactly that. If they can't even produce a steady supply of wingers...
Jameswm
Guest
Lote's cousin will do fine - if he can stay fit. Alternatively what about Heymans or Shane Williams? Andy - to be a winger at S14 level and above, you need some serious physical attributes - normally speed, but strength and quick feet don't go astray either. The best ones tend to get snapped up quickly.
AndyS
Guest
I'm surprised that, with all the talking up of the Sydney club rugby this year, it contains not a single specialist winger up to scratch. Doesn't say much for the development pathway either!
Even looser
Guest
Marty - regarding your youtube on Nalaga. BLOODY HELL!