Wallabies duo Jake Gordon and Angus Bell have re-committed to the Waratahs and Australian rugby, both signing contract extensions in a major boost for the struggling Super Rugby side.
Tahs captain Gordon is locked in for the next two years, keeping him in Australia until the next World Cup, while Bell, who made his Test debut against the All Blacks last year, has signed on for just the one extra season.
There was speculation earlier in the season that Bell was eyeing off a move to another Super Rugby franchise, so locking the young prop in for another year is a major boost for NSW.
However there was never much doubt that Gordon, who firmed as Dave Rennie’s preferred backup scrumhalf for the Wallabies last year, would stay in sky blue.
“This season has been challenging; however, I believe we are heading in the right direction,” he said.
“We’ve got a lot of exciting players here and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve in 2021 and beyond.
“It’s been an honour to play here, and something I’ll always be thankful for.”
Bell, 21, is regarded as one of the most talented front-rowers in Australian rugby. Debuting for the Tahs in February 2020, the prop was named for the Wallabies in their 24-22 Bledisloe Cup triumph over the All Blacks in November.
Angus Bell. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
“It was always a dream of mine to represent the Waratahs, and I’m proud to continue to wear the sky blue,” Bell said.
Waratahs CEO Paul Doorn said the twin signings are a major step in the right direction for the club, as they look to recover from a horror start to 2021.
“They are both proud New South Welshman and a huge part of this club, we are thrilled they will continue to wear the sky blue jersey,” Doorn said.
“Re-signing Jake and Angus was a key part of our recruitment strategy. We want to retain our best and surround them with some key additions.”
JC
Roar Rookie
Think I read somewhere that RWV has a minor ankle issue so we probably won't see him next weekend, although Dempsey is a possibility of returning from his foot injury. I'm hoping Dempsey makes the most of trans-Tasman before he goes to Glasgow. I have a feeling that he will benefit from a year away and that this time next year we'll all be castigating the Tahs about letting him go and demanding he returns immediately! Looking forward to seeing RWV when he's fit, too.
JC
Roar Rookie
Good to hear Talakai's fit. Hopefully, he'll push for selection, along with Breen. In idle moments, I've even found myself wondering what Kepu is up to these days, which is crazy. The Tahs need to go forward rather than back, but a good tight-head is crucial.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Fully agree. He's very much in danger of fitting where the rest of the squad shift him rather than settling on a preferred side. I'm not even sure which his best side is. I know most say LH but I'm not certain.
Unca
Roar Rookie
I don’t think he’s had a choice.
jeznez
Roar Guru
G'day Terry. Of course the team haven't got a win yet but they are improving every week. It's going to be a long slow build but according to some posters up the chain like Anthony, Beedy, Tommy etc, we can't even be happy when we re-sign a couple of our key players. Just cheering the small wins. As well as these two, I'm also very happy with Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco's signing. Hopefully we see him on the pitch next match.
jeznez
Roar Guru
He would have started while Gordon was out. Can’t blame the guy for wanting to move back home. Hopefully he gets more minutes
Terry Tavita
Roar Pro
reading these comments you'd think the waratahs actually beat anybody this year..
tsuru
Roar Rookie
Yes, Jez. It’s a shame for him that he left the Tahs for the Force and hasn’t had any time on the park (I don’t think). He would probably have got a run at least off the bench while Gordon was injured. Maybe in a losing team, but I’d think Super experience in a losing team is better than none.
Laurence King
Roar Rookie
Not kidding, like the other halfbacks but they have their issues as well. Those 2 Reds players will undoubtedly overtake Gordan probably sooner than later, but Gordan earnt his selection last year and he has played and led well when on the park this year. If McDermott was selected ahead of him, that's ok, I'm a fan. Cheers.
Antony Henrie
Guest
Comrade Bear, " Gordon made a huge impact behind a very ineffective forward pack. " In that pack that you suggest are ineffective are Test players Porecki Swinton Dempsey Bell HJH and wonderkids Tizzano and Horton , are you suggesting they don`t deserve Wallaby jerseys?
jeznez
Roar Guru
Hoping Michael McDonald gets more of a run next year as well - he looks a quality young player.
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
Yeah sorry I wasn't meaning to reply to your post, it was someone further up. Personally I don't love any of the options for 9. I've watched Gordon for a while now and always thought he was ok, just ok. I've never been a fan of White. The others that people here have spruiked like Powell and McDermott don't strike me as putting the fear of God into any international team either. We were spoiled with a run of Farr-Jones, Gregan and Genia, the dropoff from them is huge.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yes he struggled in Tests but he regularly smashed guys you are touting as better. All of them got a go for the Wallabies and every time the coaches went back to Baxter. Wasn’t Al’s fault we didn’t have anyone better.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yeah. I was a big fan of Salesi Ma’afu as well.
MO
Guest
Alo Emile was a bit of one who got away. Sure he was young and the Force sorta tried to keep him in Oz but he was a good scrumming tighthead.
Tommy
Guest
Dyson Stiles Darwin Fitter Matheison Cowan Young Alexander were all better than those two. Jones picked them continually after they failed. Knuckles coached Wallabies for only 2 years not enough time to stamp out Aussies poor front rowers. How Al " i eat grass " Baxter played 7 years is a mystery to everyone. Every prop dismantled him in text rugby. Pommy Andy Sheridan springs to mind.
MO
Guest
I don't think Bell is ready yet but I'd still be inclined to have him as my bench loosehead for tests because of his impact running. I am liking the look of Fotuaika's power but that explosive punch that Bell can add and did give us in the Bledisloe last year is a point of difference. I would not start him though. I'd start a more "boring" player like Robertson or Orr or Fotuaika. Slipper if fit gets the starting spot though. Sio's not out of the question but his scrum work annoys me so I have him well in the rear. Fotuaika looks like a prop. Pity Pink Cabous isn't qualified coz he looks like a prop.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Whilst I appreciate the animosity towards the Tahs, it is the same with the cricket . They say when you get your NSW baggy blue they fit you for a baggy green as well. But on a serious note I understand the issue with Cheika who was from NSW and no doubt had favourites, (all coaches do), I'm sure his selections were aimed to win the game. And I'm pretty sure Rennie will be selecting only to win games despite your opinion that Tahs will be selected because they are from NSW.
MO
Guest
Someone needs to sign Isaak Fines so he can play as first or second choice not parked at third at the Brumbies behind the current (White) and the young back up (Lonegran). I also note that Sorovi is only third at the Reds.
jeznez
Roar Guru
You think Nic Henderson, John Ulugia, Guy Shepherdson, Greg Holmes (before he switched to TH), Sean Hardman, Rod Blake were better? You'll get some indication just by counting their international caps through the period. Or you think a guy like Knuckles Connolly picked them because they were from NSW? :laughing: