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Waratahs unveil six foot seven, 21 stone South African lock

Another promising South African lock has decided to take up residency abroad.

The Waratahs confirmed the signing of promising 23-year-old lock Le Roux Roets, who has signed a one-year deal with the Sydney-based franchise for the 2019 Super Rugby season.

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In his short representative career, Roets has already rubbed shoulders with All Blacks star Dan Carter and Springbok utility back Johan Goosen – when he was recruited by French Club Racing for the 2016/2017 academy season.

In South Africa, he played age grade rugby and in the Currie Cup competition for the Lions, Bulls and Pumas.

Waratahs Coach Daryl Gibson said Roets brings size and skill to the forwards.

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“We first noticed his talent in the Currie Cup and we have been searching for a big, aggressive and physical player who can get us going forward and excels in the set piece,” Gibson said.

“At 135kg, Le Roux fits the profile that we have been wanting to add to our squad.

“His recruitment will add real competition and depth amongst our current lock options in Rob Simmons, Tom Staniforth, Ryan McCauley and Jed Holloway,” Gibson added.

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Roets said he was buoyed by the opportunity to play for the 2018 Super Rugby semi-finalists.

“My goal was to be selected for a Super Rugby team and to have the chance to play for the NSW Waratahs is amazing,” Roets said.

“This is a team that has won a championship title and in watching them play in 2018, I cannot wait to be part of them doing even better this year,” Roets said.

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Nickers 24 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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