2025 Squad - Speculation Thread

[Tazzmania]

Its almost that time of the season when the rumour mill starts and speculation starts regarding our squad for 2025.

We have a large contingent coming off contract.

With the uncertainty surounding the Melbourne Rebels for 2025, besides looking at overseas stints, domestic super rugby places could be tight and may help prevent any significant movement.

Currently signed for 2025

Props
Harry Hoopert 2025
Harry Johnson-Holmes 2025?
Marley Pearce 2025
Tom Robertson 2025

Hookers
Nick Dolly 2025+[/I]
Tom Horton 2025?+
Brandon Paega-Amosa 2025+ ("long term")

Locks
Sam Carter 2025
Darcy Swain 2026
Josh Thompson ?2025

Back Rowers
Nick Champion de Crespigny 2025 ?
Vaiolini Ekuasi 2025?
Will Harris 2025
Kane Koteka
Reed Prinsep 2025 +
Carlo Tizzano 2025

Scrumhalf
Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa 2025
Henry Robertson 2026
Nick White 2025

Flyhalf
Ben Donaldson 2025
Reesjan Pasitoa 2025

Centres
Bailey Kuenzle 2025 (9-12 month injury from 01/08/2024)
Divad Palu +
Matt Proctor 2025
Hamish Stewart +
Sio Tomkinson

Outside Backs
Max Burey 2025
Dylan Pietsch 2026+
George Pooolman 2025
Harry Potter 2025

2024 Squad, future yet to be announced

Atu Moli 2024
Jeremy Williams 2024
Lopeti Faifua 2024
Papillon Sevelle 2024
Cambell Parata 2024
Kurtley Beale 2024

Confirmed Departing

Siosifa Amone 2024 Departing Waratahs
Tim Anstee 2024 Departing Unknown
Ollie Callan 2024 Departing Unknown
Ryan Coxon 2024 Departing Unknown
Nikolai Foliaki 2024 Departing Unknown
Tom Franklin 2025 Departing Unknown (Europe)
Ben Funnel 2024 Departing Unknown
Charlie Hancock 2025 Departing Unknown
Felix Kalapu 2025 Departing Unknown
Feleti Kaitu'u 2024 Departing to Top 14 Racing 92 France
Santiago Medrano 2024 Departing Unknown
Taqele Naiyaravoru 2024 Departing to Nationale (D3) Narbonne
Henry O’Donnell 2024 Departing Waratahs
Izack Rodda 2024 Departing to D2 Provence
Ian Prior 2024 Departing Unknown
Chase Tiatia 2024 Departing Sayama RG League 1 Division 3 Japan
Angus Wagner 2025 Departing Unknown
Michael Wells 2024 Departing Retired

Confirmed gone during the year:
Oliver Cummins to Agen
Jackson Pugh to Japan
Wilton Rebolo to MLR
Sam Spink to Saracens

[Tazzmania]

Rugby Pass seem to think Sam Spink is a done deal with Saracens.

".......
Tigers boss Dan McKeller knows him well from his time on the Wallabies coaching staff. He has already missed out on one of his main targets at outside centre after the Premiership champions won the race to land former Wasps man Sam Spink....."

READ MORE

[Burgs]

Rugby Pass seem to think Sam Spink is a done deal with Saracens.

".......
Tigers boss Dan McKeller knows him well from his time on the Wallabies coaching staff. He has already missed out on one of his main targets at outside centre after the Premiership champions won the race to land former Wasps man Sam Spink....."

READ MORE

These guys are usually pretty quick and accurate, I'm not seeing Spink on there as yet.
Perese would be a major loss for the Tahs and Wallabies, to me more evidence of why RA need to grow some balls and totally delete variations of Giteau Law and be Domestic only.

https://all.rugby/transfers/logs/

[Burgs]

Its almost that time of the season when the rumour mill starts and speculation starts regarding our squad for 2025.

We have a large contingent coming off contract.

With the uncertainty surounding the Melbourne Rebels for 2025, besides looking at overseas stints, domestic super rugby places could be tight and may help prevent any significant movement.

I'd suggest this to be the strongest starting point we have had in many seasons!
Two major "In's" for the Front Row and may as well call it three given Hoopert.
Williams "should" be a shoe in given the whole "long term Captaincy" talk at appointment.
If we can get Rodda (FIT!) and Anstee re-signed then you pretty much have the Starting XV.

[GIGS20]

Rugby Pass seem to think Sam Spink is a done deal with Saracens.

".......
Tigers boss Dan McKeller knows him well from his time on the Wallabies coaching staff. He has already missed out on one of his main targets at outside centre after the Premiership champions won the race to land former Wasps man Sam Spink....."

READ MORE

UNtil the Brumbies match I would have called that a disaster (and there's aspects to the idea which I still think are pretty disastrous) but Bayley Kuenzle covered excellently for Sam in his absence and I think the biggest problem would be the next man down the totem pole.

[Garry Owen]

I think it was always inevitable that Spink would be leaving.

Haven't we signed Brandon Paenga-Amosa for next year or was that just speculation?

If the Rebels fold that will make a huge difference as that will be our chance to build a squad to challenge for the title. We should be going after Kemeny, Salakaia-Loto, Leota, Tupou for a starting point. Not too fussed on their backs, given Kellaway is already going

[GIGS20]

Rugby Pass seem to think Sam Spink is a done deal with Saracens.

".......
Tigers boss Dan McKeller knows him well from his time on the Wallabies coaching staff. He has already missed out on one of his main targets at outside centre after the Premiership champions won the race to land former Wasps man Sam Spink....."

READ MORE

UNtil the Brumbies match I would have called that a disaster (and there's aspects to the idea which I still think are pretty disastrous) but Bayley Kuenzle covered excellently for Sam in his absence and I think the biggest problem would be the next man down the totem pole.

[todd4]

UNtil the Brumbies match I would have called that a disaster (and there's aspects to the idea which I still think are pretty disastrous) but Bayley Kuenzle covered excellently for Sam in his absence and I think the biggest problem would be the next man down the totem pole.

There seems to be a echo in here...

[GIGS20]

I think it was always inevitable that Spink would be leaving.

Haven't we signed Brandon Paenga-Amosa for next year or was that just speculation?

If the Rebels fold that will make a huge difference as that will be our chance to build a squad to challenge for the title. We should be going after Kemeny, Salakaia-Loto, Leota, Tupou for a starting point. Not too fussed on their backs, given Kellaway is already going

I wouldn't chase Tupou, he seems to be far too much money for far too little production. I'd be chasing Talakai instead. He's a great scrummager, won't cost the earth and is likely to stay on the field for more than 30 minutes a match.

I'd also be avoiding Leota, again, just don't think the juice is worth the squeeze, and I'm now on the fence about LSL, before this season, I thought similar things to Tupou, but he's proven to be a good purchase for the scum.

I'd also seriously consider Canham and Ekuasi, both would likely be budget purchases with lots of upside.

Honestly, I wouldn't chase any of the Rebels' high dollar players, I'd be looking for the unsung heroes that are doing the grunt work that the flashy ones are living off. (Kellaway excepted, but he's already locked up)

[GIGS20]

OK, I was mid class and noticed the post still unsent, usually the site warns me when I try to send identical posts so I didn't bother checking

You got me

[andrewg]

I'd be looking for the unsung heroes that are doing the grunt work that the flashy ones are living off. (Kellaway excepted, but he's already locked up)

Sounds like most of our squad.

My kind of rugby team.........

[oxleymoron]

What about Kobus Eloff - he’s in the Rebels Magoos and would easily get a spot in the squad

[James]

Yeah look. I'd take just about any of their props, LSL, Canham and Leota. Outside of that maybe a wing or two? We are light on. With a solid scrum, we are 2/3 this season.

[shasta]

What about Kobus Eloff - he’s in the Rebels Magoos and would easily get a spot in the squad

Definitely one to get. Doesn't look too athletic but he's actually pretty mobile for a big unit - scrums well. Carries great too. I think he's resident qualified next year so that might encourage himto stay in Oz

[GIGS20]

What about Kobus Eloff - he’s in the Rebels Magoos and would easily get a spot in the squad

Yep and wouldn't break the salary cap

We need some good props for the younens to scrum against in training so that theyre ready for the real thing when their time comes