South African halfback Sarel Pretorius has been released halfway through his two-year Super Rugby contract with the NSW Waratahs, continuing their recent lean run with imported players.
Pretorius starred in the Waratahs’ trials and early Super Rugby games but lost his spot to Brendan McKibbin before the halfway stage of the tournament.
He was also leapfrogged by New Zealand-born halfback Grayson Hart in the final weeks of the Waratahs’ woeful campaign, which gleaned just four wins from 16 games.
Pretorius will play the 2013 Super Rugby campaign with the Cheetahs, who he represented before joining NSW.
Hart and Scottish-born McKibbin are the only senior halfbacks on the Waratahs roster for next season.
Pretorius is the latest in a series of overseas-born players who have failed to consolidate a spot with the Waratahs.
Former All Blacks outside back Sosene Anesi had two unimpressive seasons with NSW in 2010-11, while New Zealand-born flanker Cam Jowitt (2010) and South African lock Hendrik Roodt (2010) also failed to make a major impact with the Sydney-based franchise.
Pretorius apart, six other players from the 2012 Waratahs will not be with the team next year.
Backs Brackin Karauria-Henry (Japan), Daniel Halangahu (Italy) and lock Dean Mumm (England) are all playing overseas.
Flanker Chris Alcock has gone to the Western Force, lock Dan Vickerman has retired and former captain and flanker Rocky Elsom is currently unattached.
Hart and forward Lopeti Timani have both been promoted from the Waratahs’ extended squad to their senior roster.
Wallabies and former Brumbies flanker Michael Hooper is the one major NSW recruit for next season.
The Waratahs, who are still to appoint a new head coach to replace Michael Foley, have also signed outside backs Cam Crawford, Michael Hodge and Peter Betham.
NSW still have two places remaining on their roster for next year.
In the absence of a head coach, Foley’s senior assistant Alan Gaffney is the interim coach.
Officials are hoping to fill the remaining places with players inside the NSW system, with this weekend’s Sydney club grand final between Sydney University and Southern Districts an obvious shop window for aspiring Waratahs.
patonga
Guest
Can anyone remember the Waratahs first game against the Reds this year ?? Pretorius was the best player on the field he was awarded man of the match after being replaced with 10 minutes to go...(WHY WAS HE TAKEN OFF). and we can all remember those final seconds can't we Lets kick the ball.... I actually think the Waratahs could not play to the pace Pretorious played at and he probably hated the lets kick the ball rule anyway... as his passes were bullet like.
Dexter William
Roar Guru
Looking at Barnes, AAC, Mitchell, and even Beal took a long time to show his worth. Players going to the Tahs seems to deprove rather than improve.
tubby
Guest
very happy to see pretorius back with a team that plays with enthusiasm. he must have been bored at the back of a ruck waiting for the unfit waratahs forwards to get ready for the next play, everyone knows he likes to play a very fast game.
jameswm
Guest
Yeah and don't include McCutcheon there. maybe it's a backroom position for someone with respect, but odd to give it to someone wh is lucky to have a contract there. He and Tom Carter being the main ones, with Horne and Fitzpatrick needing to get it together or be released. They've done well with Kingston, Foley, both Timanis, Ryan and Kepu.
jameswm
Guest
Yeah I don't think he's sensational
levelheaded
Guest
Club Captain is off field and a traditional role within football clubs to set the standards within the Club when many of the leaders are travelling, eg Wallabies. I think it is an excellent call, you guys never cease to amaze me. Find the one or two duds as you say, that unfortunately is the way it goes due to injuries, pressure etc. What about the glass half full, how well have they done with the Timani brothers, re-signing them and what about the re-signing of Dennis who from all accounts was offered big money elsewhere, Hooper is a massive sign, watch this space and you have to remember they have a salary cap now so no more big names, Hooper was the last one the rest of the lads will be development players and we should be encouraging that, not puring fuel all over it. I reckon Crawford din't get a go as they wanted left footers from memory and he has plenty to offer, big, quick and skillful. Glad to see they are shedding blokes, looks like a good old fashion clean out. Some smart choices, just needs osme back up in the back row I feel!!!!
Great for Pretorius, he seems to fit much better into the Cheetah style of play, since he came on as a sub three weeks ago he has already regained the starting birth for the Cheetahs and has been playing very well.
Rusty
Roar Guru
Best move for Pretorius - so next year he plays with Johan Goosen the future Bok 10. I predict the Cheetahs to again finish higher on the table than the Tahs
Argyle
Roar Guru
Mate I reckon your best LHP is Tilse. There any number of other provinces that would have him.
Brett McKay
Expert
James, Matt Lucas I believe is in line for an EPS contract (as would Same Lane, I presume) And Cam Crawford is a returning Norths fullback/winger. Was outstanding for Norths in 2010, got the Brumbies attention, but just couldn't break into the top 4 or 5 outside backs. Played the Wales game and did pretty well, and then sat on the bench for the last couple of games in June for a few token appearances..
Markus
Guest
RE Crawford - fullback/wing who was a flyhalf all through schoolboy level. Big guy, decent pace. Only game he played for the Brumbies was midweek vs Wales. He put a lot of work in that game, but his decision making was poor - often tried to push passes/offloads or beat a man on the outside when it just wasn't on. Solid cover player, plenty of potential, but I'd have him behind Turner, Mitchell, AAC and Pakalani (if re-signed) in the outside backs pecking order.
atlas
Guest
Sosene Anesi - perhaps the words 'All Black' fooled them; his was one of the briefest international careers, half an hour off the bench v Fiji (won 91-0). Five years later he was 'Waratahs sign All Black'.
Tigranes
Guest
I think Pretorius is more likely to win a title with the Cheetahs than the Waratahs - at least Cheetahs entertain their fans.
Sam
Guest
Pity he has gone back to SA. He would have been good pickup if Reds had budget capacity. Works like a blue heeler.
Jutsie
Guest
Surely its just leadership for pre-season training, how could the select a team captain before the coach is selected. You'd think it would be up to the coach to select the leadership group.
jeznez
Roar Guru
McCutcheon has been named Club Captain which is a bit odd given that Hooper, Dennis, Palu and Timani should all be ahead of him for selection.
Shaun
Guest
Just a sign that sometimes the money move isn't the smart move :)
WQ
Guest
He would have to be pleased to be out of that wouldn't he!!!
jameswm
Guest
I just read more about this in the SMH. McCutcheon is club captain? What the hell does that mean? He might be a good, reliable, tough and knowledgable bloke, but he's nowhere near a Super rugby player. Not only do they not get rid of him, they make him club captain? Crickey, dumb and dumber. They also haven't signed Pakalani yet - sign him now. By the way the squad is currently like this: OUTSIDE BACKS - pretty good Adam Ashley-Cooper (or centre, time for a good season) Lachie Turner - hopefully fit now Drew Mitchell - not sure he'll play at all Tom Kingston - had a good season Peter Betham - handy addition Cam Crawford - a fullback I believe Pakalani - not signed yet, he's a good player CENTRES/INSIDE BACKS Berrick Barnes - 10, 12 or 15, good solid player to have there if used right Bernard Foley - or fullback, but if you don't want Barnes at 10, Foley's your only other option. And with a season under his belt, he could really excel here Rob Horne - 1 or 2 more seasons and if he doesn't step up big time, let him go Tom Carter - can't believe they just re-suigned him. What about asking the new coach? Jobs for the Uni boys again? Michael Hodge - know nothing about him HALF-BACKS Grayson Hart, Brendan McKibbin, BACK-ROWERS Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper - fantastic addition Dave Dennis - very solid Super player Lopeti Timani - back-up 6 and 8, could be a breakthrough season if brought on right Pat McCutcheon - can't believe he's still there. There are much better club players there LOCKS Sitaleki Timani Kane Douglas, Greg Peterson - big drop after the first two, who are the next best young or club locks? They use Dennis and LTimani as backup here. We need an athletic type of lock because Douglas and Timani are pretty similar, though they'll be brutal in the scrums together PROPS Sekope Kepu, Benn Robinson, Paddy Ryan - first three very good, though a shame we let Palmer go Jeremy Tilse, HOOKERS Tatafu Polota-Nau, John Ulugia - he had an excellent season in 2012 Damien Fitzpatrick - almost time to cut him loose, he hasn't come on enough Team looking like this, assuming Mitchell in as he said the injury isn't as bad as first thought 1. Robinson 2. TPN 3. Kepu 4. Douglas 5. Timani 6. Dennis 7. Hooper 8. Palu 9. Hart 10. Foley 11. Mitchell (Pakalani if not fit) 12. Barnes 13. AAC 14. Turner 15. Kingston 16. Ulugia 17. Ryan 18. LTimani 19. No idea, badly lacking backups at nos.4-8 20. McKibbin 21. Horne 22. Betham or Pakalani
jameswm
Guest
Matt Lucas is not on the senior roster I don't think. Another poor call, the guy can't pass to both sides. Grayson Hart is a good player. expect him to be our no.1. Can anyone tell me about Cam Crawford or Michael Hodge? Why do the Tahs constantly pick duds? Anesi was atrocious - I couldn't believe how slow he was. Pretorius showed promise but it turned out he couldn't pass to his right. How did no one know that? Did they watch him closely before signing him? So Tom Carter is still there? And McCutcheon?