2025 Squad - Speculation Thread

[Kernow]

I'd love to pick up Lancaster. We lack a speed merchant.

agree, when he puts the afterburners on he's tough to catch. He's also got a good sense of awareness of what is going on around him too - would be a good addition.

[wallabydarnd]

I just ran into KB , pram and partner walking on the beach front
Said hello, showed him my WF cap permanently glued to my scalp
And said “hope you stay here”
His partner seemed genuinely enthused at that prospect
I would like to think i helped in some small way in his decision making( either way!!!!)

[GIGS20]

His partner seemed genuinely enthused at that prospect

Why would you not be?

Everybody's walking around saying how shitty the weather is, but you can still see sunshine and take walks outside.

I guarantee they've lived plenty worse places.

[shasta]

I guarantee they've lived plenty worse places.

Don't know about his missus but KB grew up in Mt Druitt. So no guarantee needed there.

[Tazzmania]

The West reporting that re-signings should start soon.

Also mentioned that Cron hopes to retain the core of the current squad and add some extras.

On the Force Priority Wishlist as expected:

Jeremy Williams
Isaak Rodda
Hamish Stewart
Kurtley Beale

(I think almost all of us concur with that list)

Also mentioned as we all know, BPA, Dolly, Swain, and Robertson to be added next year.

[GIGS20]

(I think almost all of us concur with that list)

well....

Beale?

as long as he doesn't take the spot of a genuine flyer to play outside back. I'm fine with him being a voice in the sheds and somebody to provide advice at training, but a first choice pick for anywhere on the field he is not.

[Burgs]

The West reporting that re-signings should start soon.

Also mentioned that Cron hopes to retain the core of the current squad and add some extras.

If that's a quote then I would think if a player isn't announced with the rest pretty soon then can assume that is a position he is trying to get out of the Rebels negotiations.

Also, you will see I have started the Confirmed Squad thread, please keep using this one for tossing around names and speculation. I will leave the 2024 Unsigned list in this one too.

[wholetruth]

The West reporting that re-signings should start soon.

Also mentioned that Cron hopes to retain the core of the current squad and add some extras.

On the Force Priority Wishlist as expected:

Jeremy Williams
Isaak Rodda
Hamish Stewart
Kurtley Beale

(I think almost all of us concur with that list)

Also mentioned as we all know, BPA, Dolly, Swain, and Robertson to be added next year.

Don't exactly need brain science to know that signings likely soon. Isn't The Worst supposed to be telling us something we don't know or give us some news.

[Leo86]

If that's a quote then I would think if a player isn't announced with the rest pretty soon then can assume that is a position he is trying to get out of the Rebels negotiations.

Also, you will see I have started the Confirmed Squad thread, please keep using this one for tossing around names and speculation. I will leave the 2024 Unsigned list in this one too.

Why has Robinson got a + at the end when the article stated until 2025

Western Force prop Tom Robertson has re-signed with the club and Rugby Australia until 2025

[Kernow]

I just ran into KB , pram and partner walking on the beach front
Said hello, showed him my WF cap permanently glued to my scalp
And said “hope you stay here”
His partner seemed genuinely enthused at that prospect
I would like to think i helped in some small way in his decision making( either way!!!!)

It all helps, nice to feel wanted and I should think as much for his parther to hear that too.

[Burgs]

Why has Robinson got a + at the end when the article stated until 2025

Because I haven't had a chance to read and confirm it all...

[Leo86]

Because I haven't had a chance to read and confirm it all...

Fair enough, was wondering (hoping) I was unaware of some developments

[GIGS20]

My big worry.

Forceman #261 Ronan Leahy debuted late this year and, while it was a great achievement for the young man it also highlighted a major issue we suffer.

Brumbies cap #260 Liam Bowron debuted in May this year, I can't find a #261.

Brumbies have played in this comp 10 years longer than us and counting our 2 years in the wilderness 175% of our life.

Why TF have we capped more players than them?

[Tazzmania]

Why TF have we capped more players than them?

Very easy answer to your question.

Here are the reasons:

1) We are fairly remote to the heartland of rugby in Australia, and without a number of very high level of local players, we will always get more than our fair share of player churn.

2) Injuries happen and we possibly could have had more than them.

3) They are a more stable side over the years and have had the ability to field a more stable team year on year.

[shasta]

Very easy answer to your question.



1) We are fairly remote to the heartland of rugby in Australia

As always, you are pretty diplomatic with your comments, Tazz. Myself not so much

The way I'd put that, & allowing for a lot of players' naturally preferring to stay close to home, family & mates; is that the "system" has been purposely manipulated to not give us an even break. The manipulation has been evident in how quickly RA contracting proceeded on the East Coast compared to the West. That has improved somewhat, I think mainly due to the realisation at long last that warehousing players with little game time is detrimental to the national team. But I'd bet London to a brick that it will still be a factor.