'There's a responsibility': Waugh's message to Tupou as RA CEO rejects flight risk fears

He has some connections with the Rebels (Nick Stiles) which may have influenced him, but I think the main aim was to get away from Thorn who I suspect was holding people to account.

Skip. Send TT to the Brums to keep WB eligibility. We have two war horses in Slips and AAA to teach TT what it means to be a pro. If that doesn’t work then send him to Euro.

Me too. Happy for AAA to go 30/40 up front and then whip on Tupou. I’m bullish on Frost but the size and workrate and lineout skills of Rodda are peerless in Oz. He and Skelton start and Frost off the bench in our best 23, for me

Teflon Tower? More like Faulty Towers

Hes probably only on a mil a year Bobby... Who can afford a house on that single wage eh :laughing: :laughing:

Savvy comment savant. I’ll add ‘complementary combos’ to my list of things that are at least as important as individual talent assessments.

Those squad players won’t be offered big money but super is still bordering elite level. Plenty places overseas could offer a great lifestyle experience which means those guys don’t drop back to Shute or hospital or jident

Don't think joe panders to the headline seekers. Christy might have to follow them abroad.

Yes you do have to wonder what the heck RA does with its time as they have 5 super rugby sides to oversee and yet we get the rebels in VA and now they talk about strategic vision. And I agree putting this all on the wallaby coach to fix does reek of lack of accountability and continued lack of confidence in RA to provide a way forward.

I think that's a fair comment. Plus it was insurance to make sure didn't go os

It’s not blue, clearly

They increased squad sizes to allow Force players to be distributed. That was a problem because it then logjammed players coming through. No way will that happen again which will only create a bigger logjam. A lot of players will go overseas, just not to big clubs in major competitions. The best response is to create a 5/6 team 3rd tier NRC with only 2 or 3 playing 2nd tier SRP. A big challenge for RA to pull that off but it should improve 2nd tier results, the Wallabies and lower costs.

Pathetic; its the players responsibility to be world beaters? In todays Australian Waugh explains that it is Schmidt's responsibility to establish a Wallaby culture so that nobody will ever leave. Is there a time when RA will take responsibility rather than heap everything on to the coach? They certainly won't take responsibility for nobbling the coach because of a lack of coaching and development systems since 1994. No doubt Schmidt will work miracles and make Deans, McKenzie, Cheika, Rennie and Jones look like complete numpties. RA has known since inception that the Rebels were financially struggling. They have known for a year how seriously insolvent The Rebels were. Yet they now have to figure out a new vision for the future? I suppose it would have been much easier if they already had a strategic plan in place, which would have already built in a highly likely risk of Rebels insolvency, and how they would deal with it. Business as usual at Fort Fumble. The moat around Clyne Castle in Moore Park remains impenetrable as the inhabitants buckle in for the siege, knowledge and responsibility is denied, scapegoats are being identified and being thrown under the bus from the top of the Teflon Tower.

That is great but then his injuries started. And he would be a better player and less injury prone if he trimmed some of his excess body fat. I think he’s a fabulous player. But he certainly could be better, and he’s body is the key to that.

@Old School While I accept this is total speculation.... as a Brumbies fan I don't want either Leota, or Lancaster, in our squad. Leota is an over-rated dud and Lancaster is just a dud. Brumbies already have better players than both. I don't see anyone on your list that Brumbies should be interested in :laughing:

Yep and I quite liked Rennies selection of playing AAA to start when the opposition is fresh and tackles need to be made so that you can absorb that intensity and then unleash Tupou in the second half. I think Frost is going to become that high work rate rower and has the potential to be a John Eales type great player.

I'd love him to buy a house each year. Hopefully he's receiving some good financial advice to secure his future long term. At some point the "easy" money ceases and bad habits ( ingrained when you were earning and could afford them) can easily destroy you.

Bang on. AAA brings workrate that Taniela can’t but he won’t break a game open. Teams at the top level have a wide mix of skills. Rodda is missed for his work

Tupou is just another hugely over-rated player in Aust imo. He's played a few good Tests for WBs and been mostly very inconsistent, unfit or injured. Bell and Alan AA are both better Aussie props imo. Not known for his high intelligence Tupou appears to have made another dumb decision by signing with Rebels. He'll get 1 season there and no coaching development of his game. Waugh might be confident he'll stay in Aust after this season but I'm not. If he at least gets fit, stays uninjured and strings together a few high quality games 2024 will be success for him imo :)

I don’t know if you know that RA doesn’t have money to support the 5 teams we already have. Second tier players getting between $80K to $120K now and maybe not next year. I know of two players heading O/S next year on the current dollars mentioned here and signed contracts for 2025 on AUD equivalent of $200K. This is only two examples and not a guarantee for others.