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Mon, Sep 9, 2024, 4:00 AM
Waratahs Media
NSW Waratahs have bolstered their star-studded squad for next season with six new signings touching down at Daceyville.
Prop Siosifa Amone and outside back Henry O’Donnell return home to NSW following stints with the Western Force, and are joined by former Melbourne Rebels lock Angelo Smith, hooker Ethan Dobbins and backrower Leafi Talataina.
Amone (13 games), O’Donnell (5 games), Smith (20 games) and Dobbins (6 games) all arrive with Super Rugby Pacific experience under their belts, while O’Donnell and Talataina represented the Junior Wallabies last year.
Meanwhile Australian-born lock Ben Grant is back on home soil after spending the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season with the Hurricanes, preceded by two years with the San Diego Legion.
The six signings kick off the club’s one-week countdown to 2025 memberships going on sale on 16 September.
Each day for the next week the Waratahs will confirm more new signings and fan favourites who have recommitted to the club for 2025.
NSW Waratahs Director Simon Raiwalui Director of Performance said:
“Siosifa, Henry, Angelo, Ethan, Leafi and Ben have all taken very different paths in their Rugby journeys so far. We’re very happy to be able to bring them together as Waratahs. Our goal is to provide an environment where each of them can excel and contribute in a meaningful way to the success of our team next season.”
Siosifa Amone
Position: Prop Age: 22 years old Place of birth: Sydney, New South Wales Height: 180 cm Weight: 125 kg Super Rugby Debut:: 2023 vs Melbourne Rebels at HBF Park, Perth Super Rugby Caps: 13
Henry O'Donnell
Position: Centre Age: 21 years old Place of birth: Sydney, New South Wales Height: 186 cm Weight: 97 kg Super Rugby Debut:: 2024 vs Blues at Eden Park, Auckland Super Rugby Caps: 5
Angelo Smith
Position: Lock Age: 24 years old Place of birth: Fiji Height: 199 cm Weight: 115 kg Super Rugby Debut:: 2023 vs Hurricanes at AAMI Park, Melbourne Super Rugby Caps: 20
Ben Grant
Position: Lock Age: 26 years old Place of birth: Townsville, Queensland Height: 205 cm Weight: 118 kg Super Rugby Debut:: 2024 vs Fijian Drua at HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, Fiji Super Rugby Caps: 5
Ethan Dobbins
Position: Hooker Age: 24 years old Place of birth: Queensland Height: 181 cm Weight: 108 kg Super Rugby Debut:: 2024 vs Reds at AAMI Park, Melbourne Super Rugby Caps: 6
Leafi Talataina
Position: Flanker Age: 20 years old Place of birth: Melbourne, Victoria Height: 196 cm Weight: 112 kg Super Rugby Debut:: Yet to debut