Wallaby Palu back with the Waratahs

-TWAS who would you take out of the 2014 NSW super champions back row to replace with Gray?

Fairly sure Gray had some injury issues in 2015 as well. Was what opened the door for Dempsey

That wasn't exactly the case with Gray. He did get injured early 2014, and old chicken legs Hoiles took his spot and ran with it. Gray was excellent in the 2014 NRC but again he was stuck behind Potgeiter, Palu and Hoiles for one of the 3 spots (6, 8 and 20).

They are allowed to request a dispensation from the ARU. Hard to justify when they've been the top Australian team for 2 years running though. I believe they allowed it for Delve at the Rebels and were willing to for Braid at the Reds but he wanted one last tilt at the AB's for the 2011 RWC. I believe they also may have allowed it for Ed O'Donoghue at the Reds due to the lack of young locks coming through at the time (i.e. Because it was perceived that he wasn't taking a spot for a young player to develop).

ARU only allows an International Marquee Player (who is not eligible to play for the Wallabies) - to play two seasons with a side. He played the maximum in playing the two years he did. Waratahs were not allowed to offer him a further contract.

Well it isn't as though with Palu's injury run that he hasn't taken the decision out of the coaches hands and forced the selectors to pick alternates. In the case of Gray, he was almost always injured as well. Holloway has suffered a bit of the same fate. There has been plenty of opportunity for someone to leapfrog Cliff during his lay offs yet no one really has. Part of that was Cheika being conservative and bringing back a guy like Mumm to replace Mitch Chapman, others were that the guys they were seeking to develop had injuries themselves or didn't grasp their chances.

@ jeznez : its a pity both Dennis and Mumm are not only in the same team but also probably starting. Compared to jackpot both are just club level players. why they let him go, even after he refused to play for the boks is baffling !!!

Makes sense that he would be: (Additional fly-half to be announced)

Doesn't mention ex Rebel Bryce Hegarty who is supposedly signed and linking with Norths.

You can say beat the incumbent, but the incumbent will always start a peg or two ahead based on past deeds and the fact they are a known quantity. A young guy may perform at training but they will be reluctant to use him in case he doesn't handle the game situation as well, so despite looking a big better, the opt for the "proven". Given the opportunity the young player may in fact meet and exceed expectations. You can only do so much at training. Shute Shield performances are not considered that highly when determining if contracted players deserve promotion. If they do well, the view is it's only shute shield. If they don't, then the view is they can't even do well in shute shield.

Thanks jeznez for that... and yeah can't wait to see what shape the Tahs take season.

pretenders at 8 !!! no one with a right mind would say Pocock is in the same league as Read Vermulean Parrisse Folatau Heaslip Picamoles ... no doubt Pocock is an outstanding 7 , but he is nothing at 8.

Interesting, have only seen him play lock and even then only briefly. Must say, I agree whole-heartedly in your boxing analogy that up and coming players need to beat the incumbent. Found the news story on the Tahs website and they have finally announced their squad (barring one more flyhalf who is yet to be named). http://www.waratahs.com.au/Waratahs/News/NewsArticle/tabid/157/ArticleID/17050/Manly-duo-Wycliff-Palu-and-Matt-Lucas-bolster-NSW-Waratahs-squad-confirmed-for-2016.aspx The layout of the squad announcement suggests they are looking at Lousi, Mumm and Skelton all as locks. Backed up by Senio Toleafoa and Ryan McCauley. Hookers unchanged with Polata Nau, Laut and Roach. Props Robsinson, Tilse, Ta'avao and Ryan backed up by Matt Sandell, Tom Robertson and Cameron Orr. While the backrow shapes as Dempsey, Dennis and Hooper backed up by Holloway, Palu, Brad Wilkin and Ned Hanigan. The layout of the list above has tended to group players by positions and named starters ahead of the fringe squad players. Halves Phips, Lucas, Foley, plus one backed up by Jake Gordon for 9 and Andrew Deegan for 10. Also looks likely that Folau is being seen primarily as a fullback and that Beale, Horne, Carraro will be the centres with Jim Stewart and David Horwitz (who has previously been a 10) pushing for selection behind them. Wings to be Guildford and Kellaway with Reece Robinson and Henry Clunies-Ross to back them up. Plenty of names in there I am not familiar with and don't want to read too much into how the list is laid out but it does give some indication of positions they are thinking for various players and pecking order. Palu is clearly named with the fringe players and having a senior guy like him in that position is great with the fresher names they have added to the list. Can't wait to see some of these guys in action.

-jeznez I believe Lousi will be the answer at #8 I rate him very highly. I'll go further as to say, He will be the Wallbies next #8 imo.. Also those that say Palu is only slowing the development of the youth need to understand, that the youth need to out preform the incumbents in all positions. Like in boxing, if you want the title you have to beat the champion for it.. It just doesn't get handed to you because of age. Age got nothing to do with it.

I think both are good signings - shame there isn't more young guys banging on the door to get in but Cliff and Lucas are good additions to the squad. We finally have a halfback to back up Phipps - and Lucas is a guy whose pass was very good last time he got a shot so provides a contrast to the Wallaby 9. I expect the starting locks/6/8 to be Skelton, Lousi, Mumm and Dennis. Palu ultimately winds up in competition with Holloway and Dempsey with two from the three making the bench. If instead Mumm plays lock, then Palu is still in competition with Holloway and Dempsey, it is just they are competing for one starting and one bench spot amongst the three of them. Would I be happier if there were strong young contenders coming through? Of course but given Gray had injury issues as well, I'm not sure he was the answer. The guy who might have been the answer was Lopeti Timani but Cheika cut him almost as soon as he arrived.

'He was picked because he consistently outperformed the other candidates. ' Which isn't saying much.

It's true we lack muscle, but calling Pocock a pretender....

Would have had many more if he didn't have injury curses.

Palu's problem was that he was more like a very physical 3rd lock. He did a valuable role but lacked the highlight reel moments that many expected of an 8. Not necessarily an issue if your entire pack fills the roles required.

I agree with all EJ's comments about Palu's career. But I stick with my comment that the Waratahs would be better moving past him.