The NSW Waratahs have announced the signing of Queensland Reds and Wallabies lock Rob Simmons for the upcoming Super Rugby season.
Simmons has inked a two-year deal with the Tahs, keeping him in Australian rugby until the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
The experienced second-rower, who has racked up 114 Super Rugby caps since making his debut for the Reds in 2009, fell out of favour in Queensland this year, but proved he still has plenty to offer at rugby’s highest level with a composed performance for the Wallabies in the side’s narrow loss to the All Blacks in Bledisloe 2.
“I gave the decision to come to NSW a lot of careful consideration and decided the move was right. Now I’m really looking forward to the challenge of helping the Waratahs to win another Super Rugby title,” Simmons said.
Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson hailed the signing of Simmons, highlighting the experience he will bring to the New South Wales forward pack.
“What stood out was that even with 73 Test caps to his credit, Rob is still hungry to play at the highest possible level and his determination to get there will drive our whole pack forward,” said Gibson.
“Our younger locks like Ryan McCauley and Tom Staniforth will benefit from having Rob working with them and teaching them from his years of experience as a Test player.
“We’re still a young team and what Rob will bring is that edge that comes from his 100 plus Super Rugby caps and his vast Test experience.
“Rob adds a great dimension to our lineout and a real strength in our scrums.”
Simmons will link up with his new side once his Wallabies commitments for the year have ended.
The Waratahs head into the 2018 season under plenty of pressure following two lacklustre seasons under Gibson.
Despite winning the Super Rugby title in 2014 and making the semi-finals the following year, the side has missed the finals the past two seasons and conceded the most points in the history of the competition in their ill-fated 2017 campaign.
Train Without A Station
Guest
On your comment about Douglas, sure we are better off. But that's not how contracts work.
MitchO
Guest
That's good. I wish him well. I would like him to be a genuine lineout option though because otherwise he is just a big slow 6.
RobC
Roar Guru
Good to see Simmo is in country. His form is still good!
Gepetto
Guest
Kane looks fit and he played well for Brisbane City today- He seems to have fully recovered from the leg injury he received when Sekope dropped him.
Gepetto
Guest
Simmons played strongly all year. Three games with McIntyre at #10 while Quade was suspended was the death knell for season 2017
Felix
Guest
Agree! Should have brought back Douglas "home" too. He was the "potgeiter" we lacked this season.
Mal
Guest
None of those players would have made the starting side this year at the Force
Fionn
Guest
Marto, Waxhead, you guys can point out that the ink wasn't even dry on the contract—in fact, it hadn't even been officially announced—before he was brought back into the 15.
Waxhead
Guest
@ Marto - right on. From a personal career point of view it was a great move for Simmo. He's a good provincial level lock so its a decent buy for NSW. Wallabies and Aust are the big losers though now cos he'll never be dropped while Cheika is coach
MitchO
Guest
Cannibalism aside there are a few guys looking for a home or a start. The Force have Louwrens and Ruru as the two first choices. Ian Prior is a very handy utitlity. Does he try to crack a one/two spot elsewhere? Harry Scobie is parked behind Tessman and TPN but we know he's up to Super Rugby level. Does he stay behind that pair for another season? Gus Cottrell is back. He'd be fighting to play 6 up against RHP and maybe even Matt Philip. Gus is a decent size. Byrnard Stander is a decent 6 (without setting the world on fire but he is a tough hard running guy) but he got parked behind RHP. The Force locks are Coleman, Arnold and Matt Philip. Ben Matwijowi has been injured all year. What's he do for a run? He can't be far away from pulling the boots back on. Ben Daly played a good cameo for the Force before getting injured for the season. VerityAmm is not there yet but he is fast and will only get better and better as a winger. He is fighting with Chance Peni and Alex Newsome for a spot. Alex is another guy who gets better and better and has pace. He is up to super standard IMHO. Haven't the Brumbies cut Nick Jooste?
Fionn
Guest
Fair point, Peter, fair point. The Waratahs most need a good 6 or 8 I think. A big and bruising bloke.
MitchO
Guest
Mate you forgot the part where Hodgo gives the Wallabies some steel and accountability
PeterK
Roar Guru
Piru - Not all wallabies are created equal. Far too many tahs are capped and are undeserving wallabies IMO. Hanigan, Robertson of late come to mind. Having 10-11 wallabies of this calibre is meaningless. Fionn - Social mores! Cmon, this whole article is about a new tah signing, quite appropriate to also consider possible future ones.
piru
Roar Rookie
It's fine Fionn, appreciate the support, but we're used to it by now I think. I think the Tahs need to calm down - if 10 Wallabies don't win you games, maybe 11 or 12 will? How different their fortunes might currently be if they'd hung onto Matt Hodgson, for example. Let's live in an alternate universe for a moment. Hodgson is identified at a young(er) age and becomes the Tahs starting 7, his lead from the front, gritty attitude puts some much needed steel and accountability in the Tahs and he's made captain when the time comes. Hooper is never the anointed one, if he stays in the organisation he's second fiddle to Hodgo. Eventually he moves to another side, taking his huge motor and alternative skill set to (say) Perth. Hooper loves it here (I assume he's a surfer) and becomes an adopted son of Perth (they love a scrapper here) and integral to the Force gameplan, but never really in contention for the Wallaby 7 - however he's often played off the bench as Hodgson tires. I could go on, I had a whole bit imagined about Hodgson and Cheika at the Tahs but you get my drift
Fionn
Guest
It isn't so much the snowflake generation as social mores, and I'm not so much 'offended' as I just find talk about cannibalising the Force distasteful. Just like the aristocracy would never talk about money, despite it factoring into all of their decisions—e.g. when it came to marriage, etc. Subtle words like 'eligibility' were used in lieu of 'money' or 'wealth', I'd just prefer if it went unsaid. I don't think they need to cover Lucas, surely, they already have 2 halfbacks good enough for SR. Simmons and Staniforth surely cover Mumm and Skelton. Horn and Horwitz are harder, but surely I. Simone can't be as poor next year as he was this year? Beale coming back covers one of them too, as I assume he will play 12 for the Tahs.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Don't be so sensitive, that is so much the snowflake generation, worried about offending anyone. I have often said I don't want the force to be cut, however nothing wrong with discussing where their players would suited best in other teams if they do get cut. Tahs have lost Horne, Skelton, Mumm, Lucas, Hortwitz and of course are looking to fill those vacancies.
Fionn
Guest
Come on, guys, let's not talk about cannibalising the Force. Even if you personally do want them cut, best not to talk about it. I, for one, am hoping the Force are in the comp next year. Also, even if Coleman was to move to a new club do you really think he would be particularly predisposed towards going to the Waratahs given his history?? Too many 'stars' go to the Tahs and then don't perform—and I think the current culture is dysfunctional based on their 2016 performance. Hopefully they improve next year, since, given they are apparently always going to be a majority of the Wallabies, we need the Waratahs to perform in order for the Wallabies to perform. I also don't think that mass signings are usually very effective. Too many new faces makes it very difficult for the players to perform as a team.
MitchO
Guest
Surely we (being Australia) are better off sending Douglas back overseas and say having Matt Philip somewhere. He had a good game against the Queenslanders last time they went head to head. Not all guys have current contracts. Gus Cottrell being one of them. But at least I reckon a couple of good young locks will end up in NZ - and France. Where's the love for RHP? In regard to young hookers, don't forget that Harry Scobie is still out there. The Force put him back to third in line when they picked up TPN but Scobie is up to super standard. Meakes can switch back to 13 if NSW need a hard nut out there. Or someone poaches Rona. Of course Meakes may get jack of all that and head back north.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
They signed Douglas before Tui and Rodda came along. In hindsight he's been a terrible signing.
Don
Roar Rookie
I thought their contracted income is guaranteed by the ARU should they not get picked up by another SR side. If say QLD want to sign Coleman they have to put a value for him in the cap and if it is lower than what he is being paid, and the ARU agree to the QLD valuation, then the ARU will pick up the difference. If Qld offer the same money he is currently on then they pay the lot. And currently there is no change to squad numbers.