Waratahs lose playmaker to Japan as Rebels saga causes chaos
By Iain Payten and Tom Decent
The uncertainty around the Melbourne Rebels’ survival, and the potential for a glut of star players to come onto the market, is causing headaches for other Australian Super Rugby sides and was a factor in the Waratahs losing playmaker Will Harrison to Japan.
This masthead can reveal Harrison, who will start at No.10 for NSW against Brumbies on Saturday night, has agreed to terms with a Japanese club on a two-year deal – and in further concerning news, French media have reported captain Jake Gordon is being targeted for a mid-contract switch by Perpignan.
Harrison last week made his first start as the Waratahs’ five-eighth in almost three years due to a series of knee injuries, and after a long recovery, he only returned to Super Rugby in April with a match-winning performance against the Crusaders.
But despite the Waratahs’ desire to keep Harrison, the 24-year-old Randwick pivot elected for a change of environment – and as an uncapped player would have been attractive to Japanese clubs given there are limits on how many capped players can be fielded.
The potential for NSW to recruit Wallabies five-eighth Carter Gordon – in the event the Rebels are shut down in coming weeks or months – was one of several factors in Harrison’s decision, according to informed sources who requested anonymity due to the confidentiality of the matter.
The Rebels entered voluntary administration in January and despite Rugby Australia’s desire to resolve the future of the club quickly, it took 60 days for the administrator’s report – which recommended a rescue plan by the former club directors be pursued.
Waratahs No.10 Will Harrison.Credit: Getty
Creditors voted to take that path but the process could take many months more to finalise, and will likely end up in the courts given RA hold the Rebels’ licence and have indicated they don’t support the plan of the ex-directors.
The delays have thrown a giant spanner in the player market in Australia, with the potential for 30-plus Rebels players to be looking for new clubs but at an unknown date. Informal contingency planning has been going on between clubs and agents, but RA have given no indication if they plan to shut the Rebels down and disperse players, or if a squad has to be maintained to play on in 2025.
“Everyone is just in a wait and hold to see what happens, and you don’t wish ill on them by any stretch,” Waratahs senior coach Jason Gilmore said. “But if they became available, how long can you wait on the line for some of those guys when you are looking at other players as well?
“If they do get the stay to keep continuing, and that comes in late, then you have probably missed the other players you are looking at. It is definitely a fine balance on do you pull the trigger now with guys overseas or within Australia, and to see how the Rebels go. There is definitely a balancing act between those things.
Carter Gordon looks to pass at the MCG.Credit: Getty
“We have boys off contract at our club, like we do at every club. The players are looking for clarity and certainty about where they are going to be, so it is definitely a big piece that Rebels one. Obviously I don’t wish ill of them, but it is definitely something in the background.”
Though also flirting with a league switch, Gordon is expected to move to either NSW or Queensland in the event the Rebels fold. The Tahs has been mooted as a more likely destination given the Reds have Tom Lynagh and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, and Harrison’s departure strengthens that case. Having let Ben Donaldson go last year to keep Harrison, the Waratahs have Tane Edmed and rookie Jack Bowen on the books as No.10s, but Edmed is also off contract this year.
Max Jorgensen and Will Harrison after the latter’s match-winning drop goal.Credit: Getty
Having already lost Izzy Perese, Harry Wilson and Mosese Tuipolotu in the backs, and Lachie Swinton and Ned Hanigan up front, the Waratahs are also dealing with the prospect of Gordon potentially leaving.
French outlet L’Equipe reported Gordon was being pursued by Perpignan but would require an early release from his current contract with Rugby Australia, which expires next year. RA declined to comment on whether Gordon had asked for a release, but it would be unlikely to be granted.
Gordon is one of only two halfbacks in Australia on an RA top-up and is a strong chance to be in Joe Schmidt’s top three No.9s this winter.
Meanwhile, Gilmore confirmed Max Jorgensen had suffered a grade two hamstring tear and would be sidelined for six to eight weeks, which could potentially see the young fullback back fit for Wallabies or Junior Wallabies duties in July.
But given the injury is Jorgensen’s fourth in under two years as a professional, Gilmore also pointed to a need to manage the 19-year-old more wisely in the future.
“The biggest thing Maxy has lost is he lost a pre-season last year, and he is not the biggest guy getting around as it is, he is just finding his feet,” Gilmore said.
“While he is super talented, we just need to be careful of – if they’re at that level, particularly national and provincial, what the load is between both programs. Sometimes is it better that they miss a Spring Tour or do half a Spring Tour, get back and have a rest and be able to do a pre-season.
“Between both programs, we can probably collaborate a lot more, on those younger guys in particular, and map out their resting periods: when they get some physical development and rugby knowledge as well.”
Wallaroos target top four and taking down world No.4
The under-new-management Wallaroos have set their sights on heading into next year’s Rugby World Cup as a top four side and are aiming to begin the climb by downing current world No.4 team Canada in Sydney on Saturday.
Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp – who was appointed in December and began the role in February, and has spent her time since crossing the country studying Super Rugby Women’s games – named her first side on Thursday to take on the Canadians at Allianz Stadium. It is the first of Australia’s games in the PAC4 tournament, which will see them also host the USA and New Zealand in coming weeks.
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh with the new Wallaroos head coach Jo Yapp.Credit: Kate Geraghty
Like her initial squad, Yapp has shaken things up a little for her first Test, picking a mix of the old and new, with three debutants on the bench. But the Englishwoman said form was her true guide, and as such 12 of the match-day 23 will be from the undefeated Waratahs team that won a title two weeks ago.
Under the Wallaroos’ first full-time coach and early steps in RA’s plan to pay the players as full-timers as well, the Aussie team is looking to turn impressive potential of the last two years into consistent competitiveness with the world’s top sides.
“Ultimately we picked a squad that’s got that experience in there but also those youngsters coming in, because we want to have one eye on the World Cup as well. The more opportunities they have now to grow, the better for us,” Yapp said.
“For me, form is absolutely key. It was talked about making sure we still has Test experience in there, because that’s important but form was crucial.”
After making the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals in 2022, and then downing the USA and world No.3 France last year, the Wallaroos rose to become world No.5. But heavy losses to New Zealand and Canada also showed there is still work to do ahead of the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
“We have goals to be a top-four team and I believe the time we hit the World Cup, I truly believe in the quality of the girls and that is achievable,” Wallaroos forward Piper Duck said. “It will be really exciting over the next few campaigns where the Wallaroos are.
“Individually for the girls, getting those results is incredibly important and it set a really good platform mentally for the girls to come into this season and know they can achieve such great things, and heading into this season it is a very positive platform.”
Wallaroos team (1-23) to play Canada, Allianz Stadium, 4pm
Brianna Hoy, Tania Naden, Bridie O’Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard (capt), Siokapesi Palu, Ashley Marsters, Piper Duck, Layne Morgan, Arabella McKenzie, Desiree Miller, Trilleen Pomare, Georgina Friedrichs, Maya Stewart, Lori Cramer. Reserves: Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Sally Fuesaina, Eva Karpani, Atasi Lafai, Leilani Nathan, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Samantha Wood, Faitala Moleka.