After limited opportunities over the past two years, Waratahs backs Harry Wilson and Mosese Tuipulotu will head to the United Kingdom.
On Thursday it was announced that Wilson, the son of former Wallabies World Cup winner David, had signed with Welsh outfit the Dragons.
But he’s not the only back that will leave Daceyville, with Tuipulotu, the brother of former Rebels midfielder turned Scottish international Sione, to join Edinburgh.
The Roar understands Tuipulotu has been granted an early release.
Mosese Tuipulotu (R) is set to leave the Waratahs and join Edinburgh. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
It comes off the back of barely being sighted behind Wallabies pair Lalakai Foketi and Izaia Perese, as well as Joey Walton.
With Perese joining Dan McKellar’s Leicester Tigers at season’s end, it will see the Waratahs go from a squad full of midfielders to one with just a couple left.
The changes come as the Waratahs prepare to welcome Rooster star Joseph Suaalii, with the schoolboy sensation, who was hotly pursued by former Wallabies coaches Michael Cheika and then Dave Rennie, putting pen to paper with on a mega three-year, multi-million deal last year.
Suaalii is likely to feature at outside centre for the Waratahs, with Max Jorgensen and returning star Andrew Kellaway set to battle it out to wear the No.15 jersey. All three players can play across several positions.
The Waratahs wanted to keep Wilson but couldn’t get their ducks in a row to work out a compelling package to keep the versatile back.
Harry Wilson will join the Dragons in the United Rugby Championship. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
Wilson, who scored a stunning try against the Crusaders during the Waratahs’ win in Super Round earlier this year, said he was looking forward to testing himself in a new environment.
“I’m excited at the prospect of becoming a Dragon and linking up with my new team-mates this summer,” said Wilson.
“I’ve spoken to [Dragons head coach] Dai Flanagan about the club’s vision and targets going forward and look forward to being a big part of a new-look squad and testing myself in a new competition.
“It’s a big opportunity for me to move to Wales and a new challenge that I plan to fully embrace.”
Flanagan said Wilson’s utility value was something that appealed to the United Rugby Championship side.
“He is a great athlete and talented young centre, who can also operate in the wide channels,” Flanagan said in a statement.
“The fact he can play multiple positions will be a real asset to us.
“Harry arrives with Super Rugby experience and is a player with a big future.”
Tuipulotu’s defection to Scotland comes 12 months after he decided to stay at the Waratahs.
Starved of opportunities, he will follow in the footsteps of his brother Sione who has made every post a winner since leaving the Rebels, with the 27-year-old becoming a mainstay at inside centre for Scotland under Gregor Townsend.
The recent developments come as NSW Rugby announced a $4.8 million deficit in 2023.
The massive deficit comes after Rugby Australia announced their own $9.2m loss on Monday, with the governing body taking over the operational running of the Waratahs earlier this year.
NSW Waratahs CEO Paul Doorn and Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh pose at Daceyville on November 14, 2023 in Sydney. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
The NSW Rugby board put the deficit down to poor membership, gate takings from home game and sponsorship.
“Lower home game attendance and a poor win/loss record challenged our income sources,” Waratahs CEO Paul Doorn said.
“Broadcast revenue distributed to the Super Rugby Clubs via Rugby Australia also declined. In addition, fixed costs remained for players, coaches and the high-performance program. This imbalance has been a significant contributor to financial stress for all Australian Super Rugby Clubs, including the Waratahs.”
The Roar understands that the Waratahs are tracking behind their targets in 2024, which comes off the back of another poor season on the field which has seen Darren Coleman’s side win just two of nine matches ahead of their daunting clash against the ladder-leader Hurricanes in Wellington.
Biscuit man
Roar Rookie
And in the process you kill rugby unions main market in Australia. Around 50% of the fans and club players. You are a complete clown. The real question is why does Canberra have a team? 2% of the market share of fans and players. Move the Brumbies to Melbourne or Adelaide is a wise commercial decision.
Robbo12
Roar Rookie
Rob Penny never coached super rugby before the Tahs. Just a provincial coach in Canterbury nz.
Olly
Roar Rookie
He would be a big win for the Tahs.
Biscuit man
Roar Rookie
I wish they would appoint Cheika on a 10 year deal and get them sorted long term for once and for all. Tahs need to be top 4 every year if rugby union going to be successful in Australia.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
This is a massive gamble for Townsend. Spending big money on Mosese in a climate where their 20s are getting battered and there is general discontent in Scotland about pathways for local-born players, if it doesn’t work out, this will have huge ramifications for Townsend’s tenure too.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
He is yeah, all good Moorabbin RFC boys.
Olly
Roar Rookie
Yep, it is a major issue. Thankfully it can be turned around but a new coach is needed this year.
Biscuit man
Roar Rookie
The Waratah complete failure is going to bring everyone down with them. Over 50% rugby union fans that play or follow rugby union are in NSW. Having a team that fails every year is not an option. Just ask the Swans or Sydney FC.
Biscuit man
Roar Rookie
Yeah give RA more money to PU against the wall. Sound like a plan.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Really? The Tahs spent so far under the cap that it was against the CBA. Despite that the team looked promising in 2020. Just struggled in 2021 with Gordon and Hooper out.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
There was definitely talk. I think before the Rabbitohs signed him and then when Easts did.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
But with a stacked back 3 won’t they need low priced midfielders? Such as Harry Wilson?
Piccolino
Roar Rookie
What is the business model in the UK? Do clubs have to stay financial or do they rely on wealthy owners? They may get pulled into the same problem as Au, with clubs going broke paying high player salaries to not lose them to other comps.
Mirt
Roar Rookie
Me too
Mirt
Roar Rookie
EdZackery what I thought, without the big word, I wondered when they were going to call it just the “performance team”.
Mirt
Roar Rookie
Unless he has a different grandmother than Sione, his brother who plays for Scotland, Mosese won’t have to wait five years, unless, like at the RAtahs, he can’t make the grade
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Certainly their preferential access to the talent pool they should be winning all the time.
CUW
Roar Rookie
no its Zebre !! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: both Dragons and Scarlets are next to them !!!
CUW
Roar Rookie
unless he qualifies by birth or relative - now its 5 years on residency
Cec
Roar Rookie
I think the first clean out is not at RA but should be NSWRU/Tahs Admin.