At long last, the Waratahs look to have landed a giant. Miles Amatosero – the 203cm, 125kg 20-year-old – is set to return home from France to sign a multi-year deal with the Waratahs and Rugby Australia.
After letting Emmanuel Meafou slip through their fingers – another giant, who will join France for their final Six Nations match before becoming eligible for Les Bleus in late December – Australian rugby can celebrate getting one back.
It’s understood new Wallabies coach Eddie Jones was influential in encouraging the second-rower home, with cashed-up French clubs, including Clermont, eager to lock the exciting emerging star up. He will be eligible to play for the Wallabies as soon as his pen hits the dotted line.
As well as checking out the Wallabies’ World Cup facilities over the past week, Jones has spent time speaking with Australian eligible players in France.
The Waverley College product is on the cusp of signing with the Waratahs, having spent the past three seasons with Clermont in the French Top 14.
Clermont second-rower Miles Amatosero is set to return to Australian rugby to join the Waratahs. Photo: Twitter
The second-rower signed with Clermont as a teenager and made his Top 14 debut as an 18-year-old in 2020.
Amatosero has featured in 13 matches this season for Clermont, starting in almost half of thoseand appeared in the Champions Cup.
His departure is the second blow for Clermont, with the French side failing to lure Wallaby Jed Holloway to the club.
Amatosero’s expected signing is a huge coup for the Waratahs, who have bled locks since Michael Cheika’s departure in 2015.
Miles Amatosero in the loose against Brive. Photo: Twitter
When Cheika’s Waratahs won the Super Rugby title in 2014, they had Kane Douglas and Jacques Potgieter in the second-row with Will Skelton coming off the bench. The Waratahs haven’t recovered since their departures.
In stark contrast, the Brumbies currently have three Test locks and the extra meat on the bones has seen them regularly challenge New Zealand opposition and, subsequently, the Super Rugby competition. Previously, they had Rory Arnold and Sam Carter up until the 2019 World Cup.
Waratahs coach Darren Coleman has been eyeing off a lock since being unveiled as head coach in 2021, noting that the second-row was one of three key positions they needed to bolster.
While they missed out on luring home Douglas from France, they have been making do with a number of hybrid forwards, including Test forwards Ned Hanigan and Jed Holloway and Hugh Sinclair playing in the second-row.
Former Chiefs second-rower Taleni Seu has also bolstered the Waratahs’ second-row ranks this year.
Jackass
Roar Rookie
Just watched the highlights. Saw Ben Donaldson miss easy one on one tackle to allow a try, miss conversation in front, Jake Gordon continually lobbing passes at ankles. These are 2 Wallaby players. Fair dinkum. The boys in baby blue don't deserve to have Gleeson, Foketi or Jorgenson. Hand them over to the force or Rebels and relagate the resr of the smurf puffs the kentwell cup
Morsie
Roar Rookie
Seems like Eddie is really thinking ahead to 2027.
Morsie
Roar Rookie
I can't find any highlights clips anywhere. Care to back that up with some viewing?
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
Oh boy....get this bloke along with Frost, Swain and Hosea and it makes for an imposing second row starting and bench combination. I think all of them, are under 25yrs atm.
Simon_Sez
Roar Guru
Cec, I think the people running rugby in Australia have good intentions as they,like us, are passionate about the sport and want it to succeed. Unfortunately there are no fresh ideas to disrupt the downward trend lines as rugby gets picked off and undermined a little bit at a time.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Simon, RA, the old boys nepotism & self interest network, NSW & QLD administrators, pooling in talent into GPS, losing our presence in public schools, Fox/Murdoch and no national club comp . A culmination of this framework since the 90’s has been the issue. Clear all of these administrators out, replace them with Twiggy & Govt (just like Lowy & Howard for A-League/FFA), create a national club comp from the strongest clubs from Hospital, Shute & Dent cups and Centralise the system (like Nucifora with Ireland). Our system from the top has stunk for decades so it’s time for a clean out if we want true change for the professional era.
Highlander
Roar Guru
Given the RAs balance sheet - the lions and the Rwc should get them back in the black - they do have debt on the books that is still expanding and will run until post lions I have read they should make a small profit this year wirh the NZR contribution We need a strong RA and cash is the big deal. So fingers crossed But I don’t think filling the stadia will be an issue with the touring fans about
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Highlander – the numbers I quoted were for RA and NZR. The injection to economy goes far beyond what RA ends up with. (30,000 tourists x 100 beers is a lot! :happy: ). Will get more details. Hate to throw around unsourced numbers.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Several sources I found said $70m. The TV deal could perhaps be spread over the years but tickets and merchandise would be that year. But I'm no accountant. I'll do some digging. I wouldn't be surprised if revenue has fallen. Wallabies have sometines not even filled the stadium in last 5 years.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Skelton is in for big WC got no doubts.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Same culture can hardly understand them..So nasally.
Highlander
Roar Guru
200mil will be total economic Val to Aus. RA revenue number will be closer to 40 Easy google on the last nz tour numbers
Pedro
Roar Rookie
2019 Waverley College went to the Sanix World Rugby Youth Invitational Tournament, Miles was probably spotted there. He was 2m and 16. His decision to return to OZ is interesting, as the French have invested a lot of time and money, they may think twice before singing 16-year-olds.
Simon_Sez
Roar Guru
Perthstayer, I checked the FYE 2021 published accounts for RA and revenue is still circa $96 m. From memory income in 2013 was circa $100 m. If income is still in the vicinity of $100 in 2022 and 2023, then the board and management of RA has failed to increase revenues in 10 years. The only thing I could see is that losses had been reduced, a good thing. If one was an investor/ shareholder in a publicly listed company it would be a sell. I suppose one can’t be too critical as it is rugby union, a sport under siege from the competing sports.
TPC
Guest
Murray played both junior union and league before going to Newington, but I agree it’s complicated. A lot of kids play both and end up going to rugby schools on scholarships.
Ouch
Roar Rookie
I just find it concerning that French clubs are targeting 18 year olds who live 16,000K’s away from France. you'd think with a population of 66 million, they could find someone.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Simon - I did say "up to" - and that may need to dial down after I read today the number of matches may fall by 2 if this ridiculous concept of an ANZAC side is put together. In 2013 some smart business people at ARU made $70m (great TV deal). In 2017 mixed reports estimate a fall to $30-40m in NZ (must maybe not such a good tv deal). I cannot find South Africa numbers and only have hearsay that it was up to AUD $80-90m. 4 years later and with that 2013 in mind I think a figure over $125m is achievable. Some are spruiking north of $150m based on better TV deals to include Japan, SA, and France. Frankly if it's $100m that's great but here's good reason to think it will be healthily north of that.
Simon_Sez
Roar Guru
Perthstayer, I love it! Do you think that rugby can really bank $200 million as it would be really useful amount to defend the game domestically?
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Use cash wisely that’s coming from BIL. I gather BIL can garner up to $200m if managed correctly. Use this as lure to get players. Don’t spend frivolously but there’s more coming from 2027 RWC. The combination of BIL and RWC are a very rare opportunity to change the rugby landscape, with a legacy that should run for a decade minimum.
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
That would be Will Skelton who made the European Cup Team of the Year last year?