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Waratahs reject Cronk code-switch claims

Melbourne Storm playmaker Cooper Cronk

Waratahs chief executive Andrew Hore has denied claims the Super Rugby club have made an approach to sign Melbourne Storm playmaker Cooper Cronk.

Cronk recently announced he will end his long stay with the NRL leaders and move to Sydney at the end of the season.

A host of NRL sides have been linked with a swoop for the 33-year-old half-back and reports of interest from the Waratahs have also surfaced.

Hore poured cold water on that speculation soon after Australia coach Michael Cheika welcomed talk of a code-switch for Cronk.

“The NSW Rugby Union has not been approached by anyone on behalf of Cooper Cronk nor have we approached him,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Hore as saying.

“In any decision of this nature there are many variables to consider and, at this time, our key priority is to invest in programs that develop rugby union through our own pathways.”

Cheika said of the two-time Dally M Player of the Year: “He’s ultra-qualified in rugby league and played rugby in school days.

“If the Waratahs are interested and he wants to play, good on them, get into it because I’ve no doubt he’d make a success of it.

“Is the Australian Rugby Union going to get involved? No, it’s for these guys to work out.

“But it’d be interesting to see him back playing.”

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Nickers 31 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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