When you look up Australia’s most valuable exports on Wikipedia you’ll fine we sell steel to China, coal to India and rugby locks to Europe.
After the Wallabies lineout once again faltered at crucial times again against Argentina in Newcastle it’s worth remembering that only one other team in the world would rule out perhaps their best three or four locks on principle before heading into a major tournament.
At risk of this article degrading into a conversation on eligibility, I should point out I actually agree with the Giteau law as it stands. The onus should be on us to get more of these guys back here under the rules we have set ourselves.
This need not be an article of disrespect to the two locks that started against the Pumas, because both of them are signed to play overseas next year, as is Ned Hanigan, the only cover for that position in the match day squad.
What are already thin resources will next year be overly scarce, so now might be a good time to start preparing for the drought.
It is at this point when one might turn their attention to the Super Rugby squads.
Queensland are perhaps best stocked, with Lukhan Salakaia-loto (currently injured) and the promising young Angus Blyth progressing well.
The Brumbies have the experienced Cadeyrn Neville and the up-and-coming Darcy Swain.
The Western Force have the former All Black Jeremy Thrush and the impressive Fergus Lee Warner.
The Rebels have Wallaby in waiting Trevor Hosea pairing possibly with Ross Haylett-Petty.
The Waratahs – well, we have no idea. Rob Simmons is off to the pasture in England, long-time club stalwart Jed Holloway has been let go, as has hard worker Tom Staniforth. Ned Hanigan is also off to Japan.
The Waratahs have an exciting young team across the park. Even without Michael Hooper, the back row of Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Jack Dempsey and Lachie Swinton will keep each other fighting for spots.
The front row of Angus Bell, Tom Horton and Harry Johnson-Holmes is ultra-competitive by any measure.
But this forward pack is looking, well, short on tall guys!
Is it possible that Rob Penney has a local young gun waiting in the shadows? Perhaps. Does he have two who can step up to Super Rugby level from Game 1? Unlikely.
Bringing big Sam Wykes back to his home state from Japan is a good start, but at 32, I’m not sure he would get a start at any other Super Rugby AU franchise.
(Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
The only hope for Waratahs fans is that there is a big transfer in the works that is being kept under wraps.
A Will Skelton homecoming, the Izack Rodda redemption, a return of at least one of the Arnolds or, could you imagine, an Adam Coleman in Sky Blue.
It is beyond reasonable belief that Waratahs management haven’t noticed this massive gap on their squad sheet, so I have faith that they have something planned.
But until that mystery is solved we are left with the reality that our national shortage of locks is starting to bite, and the Waratahs will be the first to experience what it is to go without.
Carrick Ryan
Roar Rookie
Saw that, also noted the Waratahs noted the gap in the roster in their press release! He is a welcome addition.
Oscar
Roar Rookie
Just signed Jack Whetton who was a regular starter for the Highlanders this season and also starts for Auckland in the Mitre 10 Cup. 196cm and 118kg, good in defence and a good line out jumper. Solid Recruit.
MO
Guest
More aussies than ever playing NBA basketball and before you get there you have to go to college and run the gauntlet of US college girls. Good basket ballers are tall and built like middleweight boxers. Good money all over the world for basketball players.
MO
Guest
Philip is the sort of hard nut that'd love French rugby. the slow grind will be good for him playing against France, England and even SA in the future. He was always a good player at the Force. Just took him time to get his career going. Right now he has Parling and Simmons teaching him lineout work.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Yeah back in 2014 from memory
jeznez
Roar Guru
Thanks Terry - he was at the Brumbies many moons ago, wasn't he? Hopefully he goes well and I can fire some shots at Waxy for the Brumbies failure to develop him! :silly:
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Jez you can add Jack Whetton .... just signed from the Highlanders
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Sam Wykes, Sam Caird, Jack Whetton plus two locals ..... hopefully we can find some gems there.
LifestyleSpecialist
Roar Rookie
I read something on Twitter about a NZ up and coming talent being drafted in for the second row. Alongside journeyman Wykes and a big signing like Rodda or an Arnold would round out 3 decent second row options. Must be someone in Shute putting their hand up for a wider squad place as well?
jameswm
Roar Guru
Not sure about the others, but Harrison and Bell are born and raised Sydney kids. How can them playing well be solely down to recruitment? They got no coaching in the pre-season or this year? Or in previous years when they were in the development squads?
jeznez
Roar Guru
Ps. Just because Harry and his family moved to Brisbane when he enrolled at Nudgee doesn’t stop him being a Gunnedah Red Devil that was mentored by Tim Gavin in his mini rugby days. NSW forever!
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Cheika was apparently filthy that they let Sam Lousi go. I think he had done some work to building the squad but it was obviously cut short by his move to the Wallabies. He didn’t seem any more impressed with what Gibson was doing than we were.
Tony Hodges
Roar Rookie
Not yet. Just like Lolesio, Banks and T Wright. None are fully developed yet. If you’re looking for a player to point to for Tahs development capability, Hanigan is a better one. He seems to have gone from not quite there a few seasons ago to almost the real deal this year. Also, players making it to the WBs in their rookie year is more about good recruitment than good development. The ones who are developed are the ones who get better over the course of a few seasons. That doesn’t need to be all the way to WB regular – Joe Powell looks to have hit his limit just short of the gold jersey, but he has improved significantly over his time at Brumbies to become a good SR quality scrum half.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Yes Mo, he’s grown slow but well. And what bloke in his mid twenties wouldn’t want to pick up a house deposit by living and working in France for a year?
jeznez
Roar Guru
Jack Margin.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Agree. Cheika wasn’t future building the team, he built the side to win a title, which he succeeded at. We never saw how he’d go working with the squad for longer. I suspect he may have been poor but we don’t know for sure.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Cheers Carrick. And what a great opening line!
Guess
Roar Rookie
could you imagine, an Adam Coleman in Sky Blue. I can imagine Rory Arnold in sky blue ;)
Geoff Parkes
Expert
"Send everyone to the Rebels!" Great idea, Jez!
Mo
Guest
Isaac fines has the pace to play 9. He shouldn’t be garaged at 3rd in a super squad