NSW Waratahs squad dissection

The Waratahs are probably the Australian team that lost the most experience after the World-Cup. Adam Ashley Cooper, Sekope Kepu, Bernard Foley, Tolu Lato and Nick Phipps all left the franchise. They did however make a bunch of new signings with Jack Maddocks taking all the headlines. They signed Maddocks to try and fill the gap that Folau left and he is a very handy player in the back three. I think he’ll fit in the team perfectly. The other signings are youngsters with big reputations and a few Junior Wallabies as well. Despite being a team of youngsters they still have their all important leader Micheal Hooper there to take the reigns and steer the ship. I predict another good season from them and think they’ll challenge for the top of the Aussie conference.

Players to look out for:

Harry Johnson-Holmes: This rather small prop burst onto the seen last year and rattled all the opposite teams when they had to scrum against him. He is one of the Waratahs’ most important players this year. With Kepu leaving he will have to step up and make that starting position his own. Look out for him in the Wallabies squad when the rugby Championship comes along; he’ll be a great prop to build a future front row with.

Micheal Hooper: There’s not much to say about Hooper. The Australian Captain is one of the leading tacklers in the competition every year. This guy already has legend status and he’ll just keep doing his thing, grinding week in and week out doing the hard yards for his team. He is just one of those players that can spark a team when they’re down. While completely demotivating their opponents when his team is leading.

Jack Maddocks: Maddocks might be the Waratahs biggest signing and I don’t want to put the mockers on him, but he is the future of Australian rugby. This lively wing is full of running and might not be built like one of the New Zealand tanks that play on the wing, but he is lightning and doesn’t back down from anyone or anything. If the Waratahs use him wisely they’ll look as if they never even lost a step. The great thing about Jack is that he comes from the rebels where he played with the likes of Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge and Marika Koroibete. These players were his competition and he regularly made the starting lineup. I rate this guy very highly and think he’ll break records in the not to distant future.

New players:

Jack Maddocks (Back Three), Michael McDonald (Scrum half), Tepai Moeroa (Center), Mark Nawaqanitawase (Back Three), Joey Walton (Center), Robbie Abel (Hooker), Tetera Faulkner (Prop), Charlie Gamble (Flanker), Tom Horton (Hooker),  Carlo Tizzano (Flanker).

Players that left:

Adam Ashley-Cooper,  Ben Donaldson, BJ Edwards, Israel Folau, John Folau, Bernard Foley, Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Will Miller, Nick Phipps, Le Roux Roets,  Curtis Rona, JP Sauni, Rory Suttor, Shambeckler Vui, Cody Walker, Michael Wells, Jeremy Williams.