NSW Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson is close to finalising his 2019 playing roster, one will include recalled Wallabies veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper and some much-needed South African mongrel.
“Adam’s progressing nicely and we hope to announce shortly more confirmation of his return to the Waratahs,” Gibson said.
Ashley-Cooper, a try-scoring hero of NSW’s drought-breaking premiership-winning team, thought he’d played his 61st and last game for the Waratahs three years ago when he looked to end his career in France.
But the 34-year-old found a new lease of life in Bordeaux before linking last year with Japanese Top League side Kobe Steelers.
After expressing his desire to return to Australia next season with an eye towards appearing at a fourth World Cup in 2019, the backline utility earned his 116th cap in the Wallabies’ win over Italy this month in Padova.
He and Kurtley Beale were then stood down from Australia’s season-ending loss to England at Twickenham on Saturday for taking guests back to their hotel room earlier on tour.
One of the guests was Ashley-Cooper’s sister-in-law and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika conceded the breach was only minor.
Gibson said he had no issues with Ashley-Cooper’s off-field conduct but said rules were rules.
“We’re definitely aligned there with standards and the consequences of breaches of those standards,” Gibson said.
“It’s a neat reminder for all of us to make sure that all the players are well aware of what the standards are.
“It’s important that those are established early in the year and players are well aware of the expectations.”
Gibson is also hopeful of recruiting 23-year-old lock Le Roux Roets, a 200cm, 135kg bohemeth currently playing for the Pumas in the Currie Cup.
“We’re searching for a profiled lock where we can add a bit of size and we believe we have found that person and we’re due to announce that shortly,” he said.
Gibson revealed he and the Waratahs both had the option to extend his own contract beyond 2019, after it was thought the former All Black was in the last year of his tenure.
“There is an option there and it’s both ways at present,” he said.
“I’ve got another year here and I want to really maximise that and make it a really successful year.
“I’m really loving the challenge right now of being in Australia. I feel like our squad’s in a really nice place.
“It’s a very determined one, it wants to take a step and I really want to be part of that.”
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
I agree mate and I think their defence will be worse now. FFS if a player can’t/won’t tackle at this level he shouldn’t be there
Brizvegas
Guest
So where is all the depth and promoting of up and coming talent. Apparently Australia have lots of "world class players" and also up and coming stars that make the Wallabies the 8th best team in world rugby. AAC and the new SA lock are in an ideal position to assist up and coming and young superstars to progress. NOT. I want my National Coach to be Australian who has been through the Australian way of playing rugby however when it comes to players we will take them from any oart of the planet and even those close to the old age pension with the reputation of never stabbing the coach in the back. Now how did Australian Rugby reach such lofty heights as it has currently?
jeznez
Roar Guru
Mate, they were pretty appalling last year, just had the strike power to score more than they let in (most of the time). The defence is pretty much as weak but the attack nowhere near as strong without Naiyaravoro
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Well that’s a revolving door defence right there. NSW holding the record for most tries let in ever with that backline
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
What a waste of money. So good bye to another group of young players looking to rugby and seeing they would be better off with the NRL or off shore. He is well past his best, which wasn’t that good anyway, has an attitude and self importance problem as demonstrated on the Northern tour and shouldn’t be looked at. NSW - stuffing rugby in Australia since forever
flying hori1
Guest
He wasn’t that good an AB
Don
Roar Rookie
Appreciate my opinion will be the minority. Firstly it doesn't strengthen our SR teams or Wallabies to have players of SR standard without contracts playing club rugby. Sure, you can say that's what the NRC is for but why wait until a club season ends when we can be testing him in SR now? Secondly the Wallabies have no control over the state S&C regimes nor player development - it is one of the key gripes (excuses) of Cheika. Nor is S&C, player health management relevant when we are selecting players under the Giteau rule. Nor can RA request a SR side play a guy in a certain position and we've seen examples of that as well.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I don’t. For two reasons. Firstly the purpose is to help strengthen our teams. Secondly we have no control over the Sunwolves. Can’t push S&C requirements, can’t tell them to rest a player, can’t ask them to play a player in a certain position. Sure it’s better than playing in the NH where players may not even be available for the entire test season, but it’s more than just being involved in super rugby.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I know. I wish your post had been loaded on my screen before I posted mine. Apologies, that was poor by me.
Don
Roar Rookie
Just my opinion Jez but I believe we should consider a guy playing Super Rugby for the Sunwolves as being also eligible to play for the Wallabies. Ideally we would see players we'd like to keep but haven't the spots go to the Sunwolves for the money before they went to Europe, and we would keep them on our Test schedule and see their form against the SH sides every week.
Dontcallmeshirley
Guest
He was quite a good player
CJ
Guest
34 - isn't that rather old for an outside back?
rebel
Roar Guru
Last sentence doesn't add anything mate. No need to join Kirky, we could be here all day with comparisons.
rebel
Roar Guru
That's why I left at 12.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
No. Which means it didnt happen since everytime someone so much as ruffled his hair there were a thousand videos on youtube and twitter calling for blood.
Kane
Roar Guru
Is there footage of that?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Actually in Kirky’s defence he is right. Skelton would have struggled to get a game for a pro team when he left...
jeznez
Roar Guru
I wouldn't give him a contract, just contemplating what Gibson might be thinking.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Couldn't get a game in the Under 11's so he came to Oz? You know his family moved here when he was 10 years old? That he played league through high school and only took up union at the age of 15? That he has lost 13kgs and is getting very favourable comments on his play for Saracens. And oh, no, he bumped poor St Richie! Must have learned that type of behaviour from role models like Meads, Loe, Hore, Cane and Moody!!!!!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
A bloke who moved to Sydney at 10 years old is a Kiwi discard? I doubt professional aspirations and likelihood of getting a game were any consideration to his move to Australia...