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Wallabies Ned Hanigan and Lachie Swinton are set to re-sign with the Waratahs, while Fergus Lee Warner will make a stunning return to his home state.
The Roar can reveal the 29-year-old from Scone, who left the Western Force to join Worcester before the club’s dramatic folding saw him move to Bath over the past 12 months, will join the Waratahs in 2024.
The respected forward will replace Taleni Seu, who will return to Japan.
While Miles Amatosero – the 203cm, 125kg giant who has being playing in the French Top 14 – will arrive at the Waratahs at the end of the year, with the 20-year-old to stay at Clermont as a World Cup medical joker until December, before heading home to Sydney.
Seu – the former Chiefs back-five forward – has been one of the Waratahs’ best in his first season.
Taleni Seu offloads against the Hurricanes at Sky Stadium, on March 17, 2023, in Wellington. (Photo by Mark Tantrum/Getty Images)
It’s a loss for the Waratahs, with the forward, who can play in the second-row, blindside flanker and number eight, proving to be Darren Coleman’s most consistent forward in 2023.
His departure has however opened the door for Lee Warner to return to Sydney.
A hard-working player with an appetite for work rate, Lee Warner was pushed by some for higher honours.
Whether they ever come remains to be seen, but the forward, who spent five years at the Force after playing for Greater Sydney Rams, will bring plenty of experience to the Waratahs.
Lee Warner will compete with Hanigan and Swinton for a place in the Waratahs’ starting side.
Former Force forward Fergus Lee-Warner is set to join the Waratahs in 2024. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)
The Test duo will be out to kick on in their careers, with injuries and suspension hurting their development.
Both are important figures for the Waratahs going forward.
Hanigan is a better player than the one that first ran out for the Wallabies in 2017, where his breakout season saw Michael Cheika turn to the blindside flanker regularly.
Eventually, he ran out of gas, a reputation that he has worked hard at shaking, but Hanigan is the type of seasoned-hard player the Waratahs need to drive standards.
After overcoming concussion symptoms, the 28-year-old will make his return for the Waratahs against the Fiji Drua on Saturday night.
His increasing physicality and lineout prowess has him still firmly in the World Cup discussion.
Nor can his ability to spin a yarn and make those around him laugh be underestimated when it comes to World Cup selection either.
Eddie Jones often talks about picking his first XV, before turning to the last few selections – many of whom will barely play – and have an important role in keeping spirits high during an often long and arduous campaign, where players are often confined to their hotel facilities.
Indeed, the Wallabies will spend much of their time before the knockout stages of the World Cup in Saint Etienne, a small city well away from distractions in Lyon and Paris.
Ned Hanigan is set to stay at the Waratahs following the World Cup. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Swinton is another case altogether.
The back-rower had a slower-than-hoped return this season after missing last year with a career-threatening nerve issue in his shoulder.
But one reckless moment against the Force stopped his progress dead in its tracks.
A well-liked member of the Waratahs, NSW is hoping the 26-year-old fulfills his potential.
Whether Jones takes a gamble on him in 2023 remains to be seen, but given his traits – a hard-hitting back-rower, who slams into rucks, provides extra weight at the scrum and skill at the lineout – it would not surprise if the Wallabies coach sees enough in the forward just as he did in Dylan Hartley.
The Waratahs have a boardroom meeting next week to give an update on their recruitment and retention drive.
Half-a-dozen spots remain open, with an experienced prop high on the agenda.
The Waratahs will also work out what to do with their fly-half situation, with Ben Donaldson’s future at the club at stake.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.