New South Wales have received some much-needed good news ahead of the Super Rugby season, with the club today confirming Adam Ashley-Cooper will line up for the side in 2019.
The 34-year-old put pen to paper on a one-year contract that will see him represent the Waratahs once more after a four-year absence.
Ashley-Cooper, a Sydney native, originally started his Super Rugby career with the Brumbies, playing seven seasons in the ACT before making the switch to his hometown Waratahs.
He played 61 matches across his four-year stint at Moore Park, scoring 68 points and playing an instrumental role in the side’s 2014 championship triumph.
After the 2015 World Cup, however, he decided to ply his trade overseas. He played two seasons at French Top 14 club Bordeaux, before spending the last two season in Japan with the Kobe Steelers.
A shock return to the national side last year paved the way for his return to Australia, with the club today now rubber stamping his new Waratahs deal.
In a press release, Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson spoke highly of the veteran.
“Adam’s record speaks for itself and you cannot replace the international experience that he brings to the team,” he said.
“He is an incredibly talented player and a highly respected leader, and I have no doubt that the younger players in the team will benefit from having him in our environment.
“I take my hat off to Adam because he has accepted a base contract as his return is about chasing a dream of playing Super Rugby for the NSW Waratahs again and earning a spot in the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup squad,” he added.
Ashley-Cooper said he “jumped at the chance” to wear Waratahs colours again, adding his “desire to continue to play top-tier rugby and further [his] development is as strong as ever.”
“The challenge I have ahead of me is not being taken lightly.
“Overall, I’m super excited to get back into the NSW Waratahs organisation again and contribute in every way I can. I’ve had so many amazing memories in the sky blue jersey and looking forward to creating more with this team,” he added.
The Waratahs begin their 2019 season with a February 16 clash against the Hurricanes in Brookvale. You can view the full 2019 Super Rugby fixtures here.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Correction, the Reds don’t have Kerevi locked in, but he is still a prospect beyond 2019, unlike AAC.
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Nope, Kearns is probably the best example of how you might find hidden talent if you bother to look. As for taking a punt, the thing is that you have to do it repeatedly to give it good odds of paying off, so giving up an opportunity in such a competitive player market is a big deal. It is possible that the Waratahs scoured the ranks of prospective outside backs before deciding to sign AAC, but I just find it very hard to believe that they couldn't find a better option. Especially since Rugby Australia recently acknowledged all the young players that are being lost to league and committed funding to prevent it happening. Not much point in having the funding if he Tahs are giving away their spots to has beens. As it is Rona is leaving next year, so assuming AAC doesn't want to stick around until he is due for the nursing home, they will be down two experienced outside backs with no standout alternatives. The situation might even be exacerbated if 32 year old Hunt doesn't stick around, talking away a fullback option. That is going from a full cupboard to a much barer one in just one season. I reckon it would have been better to have at least one more development option on the squad than AAC, as well as freeing up the 13 spot he will inevitably take to give Newsome and Foketi a decent amount of game time. But anyways, it is always a happy time for the Reds if the Tahs screw up so I'm not complaining too much, especially since we have Kerevi and Petaia locked up who can cover the same position to an international standard. It's what you get for backing youth I guess.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Scott Fardy was on the fringes for a long time. Played in the original ARC and was contracted to the Force and let go. Phil Kearns is an absolutely stupid comparison based on amateur times without the benefit of televised/recorded club games, NRC, etc. I agree that rookie contracts are for taking a punt on players with long term promise. Luckily, as I pointed out the Waratahs have done so with 5 players outside the regular starting XV who are outside backs whose experience ranges from 2 years in the system to their first. How many rookies should they be punting on? Are some of these players mentioned not the potential untapped talent? You just ignore they are signing youth. And had they not signed AAC, there's no guarantee they would have signed a young player instead. It's entirely possible they agreed to terms with AAC after deciding they wouldn't have signed anybody else yet. If you're going to come to this conclusion, at least establish they haven't signed young players. I've already shown they've signed a few. Also considering that unsigned Richie Woolf (27) is being played this weekend, I'd say the Waratahs didn't have any (more) promising young players in mind.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
“Which uncontracted talent is better than the names mentioned?” Dunno, I’m not a NSW recruiter and don’t hang around schoolboy or club games. That is their job and I find it hard to believe that there isn’t a better long term investment than a 34 year old who will only be around a year or so. Aside from the example of Hodge, Phil Kearns was taken out of second grade. Scott Fardy was taken out of a minor Japanese team and put on a rookie contract too. Who knows what untapped talent is running around out there, waiting for a smart selector to choose him? That is what rookie contracts are for, taking a punt on somebody with long term promise, not to pander to the ego of a veteran who has no long term value bro the Waratahs or Aussie rugby.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Players like Kellaway, Clunies-Ross, Harry Jones, Jimmy Stewart and Andrew Deegan were prioritised over Hodge for the 2016 season. Probably because being injury free over the prior 2 years, they were able to push their case.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Which uncontracted talent is better than the names mentioned? Also Hodge was signed as a 21 year old having missed 20s through injury. The Rebels took a huge punt signing him during the Shute Shield season, which was his first rugby in 2 years during injury. To paint him as some gun player dominating right under the Tahs noses is completely wrong. The Rebels had to punt on a bloke from reputation as a schoolboy. He was announced less than 4 months after his first game back in 2 years. Likely was in negotiations, or finalised a bit before that.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Which uncontracted talent is better than the names mentioned? Also Hodge was signed as a 21 year old having missed 20s through injury. The Rebels took a huge punt signing him during the Shute Shield season, which was his first rugby in 2 years during injury. To paint him as some gun player dominating right under the Tahs noses is completely wrong. The Rebels had to punt on a bloke from reputation as a schoolboy.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Reece Hodge is a player from who didn’t get a Waratahs contract, but thankfully got picked up by the Rebels and is now a 33 test, virtual guaranteed pick Wallaby. If the state with the most rugby players can’t find a better young prospect for a development spot, than a superannuated 34 year old on a last hoorah, there is something wrong.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Well let's thing about this. If that rookie didn't get a contract last year, and didn't get one of the other contracts for outside backs this year in front of John Folau, Cameron Clark, Alex Newsome, Ben Donaldson and James Ramm, why would this guy be have a 15 year Super Rugby career?
BrainBucket
Roar Rookie
Some real wowsers on this thread. From what I can recall he’s had a 15 year career with only 2 slaps on the wrist - the Scotland drinking thing under McKenzie with the Honey Badger and this absurd recent hotel thing. Both minor things. I’m not a Tah fan, but I am a Wallaby supporter to the core and this guy adds bucketloads of intensity and experience. He should walk into the Wallaby squad if fit, and deserves to
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“Would love too see a 10 who does the basics well,its so rare in Aus nowadays.” Yep
Red&Black Knight
Roar Rookie
The name is a holdover from Amateur days when they were literally the team for Irish players living in London. You'll also find London Welsh, London Scottish etc. The nickname stuck as part of their club identity. The same for London - they play out at Reading, which is 50 miles west of London. There are plans for them to move back and groundshare with Brentford FC when their new stadium (under construction) is complete.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Depends on how good the rookie who will miss out on a contract might have been for the next 15 or so years.
Boonzie
Guest
Don't mind that team. Beale at full back and Izzy on wing, hunt at 12.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Well he made the Top League team of the season
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
What’s not to like? Other than the potential cultural issues, the age of that backline, and the fact that most may be gone by next year.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Is 2dads that much of a patriot that he is playing for small biscuits. Or was his Worth in Japan at an end ??
Phil
Guest
Their nickname is also the exiles,I believe.
Phil
Guest
Brian,did you happen to notice that a certain ex(?)All Black number 12 is also back playing SR this year and occasionally being mentioned as a possible for the RWC?So,it's not only us and,if their form warrants it,why not select them?
Phil Rosser
Guest
Why would 30% English content be an issue..? They're called London IRISH after all..!