Waratahs optimistic about keeping big guns beyond World Cup

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 6 years ago

Waratahs optimistic about keeping big guns beyond World Cup

By Georgina Robinson & Tom Decent

The Waratahs are optimistic their high-profile Wallabies will be playing in the NSW jersey until at least 2021 after agreeing the club component of deals with Israel Folau, Bernard Foley and Michael Hooper.

The Cauliflower understands the process is now in the hands of Rugby Australia, but that Folau and Foley, at least, are looking to re-sign for at least two and possibly three years.

Star: Israel Folau in action for the Waratahs against the Stormers in round two.

Star: Israel Folau in action for the Waratahs against the Stormers in round two. Credit: Karen Watson

That by no means guarantees their signatures. As three of Australia's four top players - don't forget David Pocock - RA will have to cough up the majority of their salaries under the national contracting system, meaning Raelene Castle's propensity to dispense the dollars will be key.

Crucial: Michael Hooper and Bernard Foley want to stay in Australian rugby.

Crucial: Michael Hooper and Bernard Foley want to stay in Australian rugby. Credit: AAP

But the two or three-year terms being talked about are encouraging. It would be a major coup for the code if all three stay in Australia beyond the 2019 World Cup, especially with a new broadcast deal looming.

With growing interest in the idea, Australia could go it alone in Super Rugby or persuade New Zealand to launch a trans-Tasman competition in 2021, Australia will need to keep every one of their top-flight Wallabies on home soil.

Super Rugby ratings creeping up
Very early days, but the early returns on Super Rugby television numbers put ratings about 10 per cent up on the corresponding two rounds last year.

The Waratahs have taken particular notice, given their poor opening-round crowd of 11,087 to watch the Stormers at Allianz Stadium. The ratings told a different story, hitting the 100,000 mark on Fox Sports - a healthy number for a game against a South African team.

Wallabies heading State-side again?
Ireland might be occupying the mind of Wallabies coach Michael Cheika but planning is underway for the World Cup next year and The Cauliflower hears the Wallabies are keen to head back to the US for their pre-tournament training camp.

Advertisement

Cheika took the squad to the University of Notre Dame in Indiana in 2015 and then to Chicago for an historic Test against the US Eagles at Soldier Field.

You can’t blame the Wallabies coach for revisiting old ground. The last World Cup capped a staggering turnaround for a team that was a dysfunctional mess less than a year earlier.

Cheika has developed some solid relationships in the US through his leadership studies at Stanford over the past two years. It will be interesting to see where the Wallabies wind up in the lead up to Japan.

Ticket price drop
Speaking of Ireland, there was good news for Wallabies fans and the legion of expat Ireland supporters this week when RA unveiled very reasonable ticket prices for the June Test series.

Prices for the Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney Tests are on average about $20 cheaper than for the same series against England two years ago. Credit to RA for making its premium product more accessible to families.

Gits teams up with Lealiifano
Wallabies stalwart Matt Giteau has been making good use of his break from the Japanese Top League by helping out Brumbies captain Christian Lealiifano with his goal-kicking.

Giteau was spotted at Brumbies training with backs coach Peter Hewat and Lealiifano, a player who he has never actually played alongside in a Wallabies jersey.

It is understood Giteau wants to mentor young Brumbies players such as Jordan Jackson-Hope and there are even whispers he might help out at the Queanbeyan Whites.

Kyle Godwin to pack his bags
We’re hearing Godwin, the Brumbies No.12, has signed a deal to play in Ireland. His one and only Test for the Wallabies came in 2016 in a game when Michael Cheika rested some of his best players, so you can’t blame the 25-year-old for chasing the Euro.

Waratahs get a feel for Argentina
Waratahs players have been scoffing steaks and making the most of their time in Buenos Aires in what is the first trip to South America for the club.

A handful of squad members took the opportunity to go to La Boca and even got involved in a mini game of soccer - sorry, football - with some local kids.

It’s been a slightly lighter training week because of the travel but assistant coach Simon Cron explained there was one interesting session this week.

"I took the boys for a light scrum session in the local park, a lot of the general public were around," he said. "We had to move a homeless guy to get some scrums down. It’s been quite interesting. It’s a great place."

Sevens sticking solid
Aussie men’s coach Andy Friend is set to name an unchanged squad for the Vancouver Sevens, which gets underway on Saturday morning Australian time.

It’s the first time in his two-and-a-bit-year tenure he’s been able - or wanted - to keep the same group together. Stability heading into the Commonwealth Games can only be a good thing.

Most Viewed in Sport

Loading