A miserable season has got even worse for the Waratahs following confirmation that Ned Hanigan and Will Harrison will leave the club at the end of the season.
Versatile forward Hanigan has signed a two year deal in France while five-eighth Harrison has inked a two year contract in Japan.
Hanigan, 29, has 28 Test caps for the Wallabies and was playing some of his best rugby this season for the last placed Waratahs.
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“Will and Ned will always hold a special place at the Waratahs,” NSW coach Darren Coleman said.
“It’s been a pleasure to have them both at the club. They’re great players on the field and more importantly terrific people off the field.
“They’ve overcome numerous injury setbacks throughout their careers and always worked hard to get back.
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“I’m confident they will go on to enjoy further success in their professional careers overseas and on behalf of the Waratahs I’d like to thank them for all that they have contributed.
“I wish them all the best in the next phase of their careers, and they’d always be welcome back in the sky blue.”
Harrison’s departure leaves Tane Edmed and Jack Bowen as the playmaking options at the Waratahs while Rebels star Carter Gordon looms as a potential recruit next season.
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Harrison, 24, will start at No.10 against the Force in Perth on Saturday but Hanigan remains sidelined with a neck injury.
“I’ll always love the club and I’ll be leaving nothing in the tank as we look to finish the season off strongly,” Harrison said.
The departures come after the Sydney Morning Herald reported that Waratahs captain Jake Gordon had requested an early release from his contract that was rejected by Rugby Australia.
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The uncertainty at the cash strapped Rebels has added more confusion in a competitive player market while the Waratahs have said they will wait until the end of the season to make a decision on Coleman.
“We’ve been very clear in communicating with our all our staff and players around ‘this is where we find ourselves.’ It’s very difficult, to commit to people as of today,” NSW Rugby chief executive Paul Doorn told Wide World of Sports on Wednesday.
“We’ve still got work to be done in that space… and I appreciate that it’s a global market out there.
“So, when people are offered opportunities, then all I ask – and which is what we’ve always done – is sit down and have a conversation about the opportunities that exist here. But we’re not in the business of promising people and doing things out of cycle.
“There’s a a very clear process and the timeframe associated with that. But it’s one of the most tricky things about running a rugby business, is that it’s a global game.
“And with that comes opportunities… how do you get people to continue their career progression here, and overlay that with our time frames of the decision making with three rounds to go? It’s really difficult.”
FORCE vs WARATAHS in Perth, Saturday 7.35pm kickoff AEST
FORCE (1-15): Harry Hoopert, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Williams (c), Izack Rodda, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, George Poolman, Kurtley Beale
Reserves: Feleti Kaitu’u, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Michael Wells, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Sam Spink, Henry O’Donnell
WARATAHS (1-15): Lewis Ponini, Jay Fonokalafi, Enrique Pieretto, Fergus Lee-Warner, Miles Amatosero, Lachie Swinton, Charlie Gamble, Jed Holloway, Jake Gordon (c), Will Harrison, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Joey Walton, Triston Reilly, Mark Nawaqanitawase
Reserves: Ben Sugars, George Thornton, Brad Amituanai, Hugh Sinclair, Langi Gleeson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Izaia Perese
Referee: Jordan Way
