Debreczeni: ‘Two years ago I was devising a plan of how to stop him'

“It’s quite weird,” Jack Debreczeni admitted when asked about playing alongside NSW Waratahs rookie Sid Harvey. Debreczeni was coaching the ACT Brumbies U19s against Harvey a couple of years ago, but now the pair are getting the best out of each other in Super Rugby Pacific.

Debreczeni has enjoyed playing stints abroad in New Zealand and Japan, and played for multiple Super Rugby clubs in Australia, including the Melbourne Rebels and Brumbies. The fly-half was unveiled as a Brumbies recruit before the 2023 season on September 19.

The now 32-year-old made 16 appearances for the Brums that season and continued to play an important role as a squad player over the following two campaigns. But on top of those playing commitments, Debreczeni pursued a coaching opportunity.

As an assistant coach of the Brumbies U19s, Debreczeni helped the team reach the Grand Final before returning to pre-season with the senior side. Two years later, Debreczeni is starring for the Waratahs alongside Super Rugby Pacific’s Rookie of the Year leader.

Harvey has come through the Australia U20 and Australia Sevens pathways, before graduating into the Tahs during Super Rugby AUS last year. The fullback converted a few late penalties to seal a rare win in Canberra over the Brums last weekend, starting alongside Debreczeni.

“I think confidence is the big thing,” Debreczeni told reporters when asked about Harvey.

“Everything he does, from what I’ve seen the last six months training with him, he has a lot of confidence in his ability which is a great asset to have, and that leads into his goal-kicking. He’s pretty sure with his process. I knew he was comfortable with most of those spots on the weekend.

“You’re happy for someone like that to be able to step up to that moment so young into his career and be able to execute. You’re happy for a guy like that to own those moments so young into his career.

“But yeah it is weird, two years ago I was devising a plan of how to stop him and now I’m playing in the backfield with him and he’s 12 years younger than me. It’s quite weird.”

Debreczeni and Harvey formed the 10-15 combination for the second match in a row, after the pair showed signs of promise against the Blues in Sydney. In that defeat to the Blues, Debreczeni crossed for a try and Harvey had multiple attacking involvements.

But fast-forward a week and both starters contributed to a thrilling win in the nation’s capital, with Harvey producing some match-defining heroics off the goal-kicking tee late. Harvey nailed three conversion attempts in the first term before coming in clutch when it mattered most.

Ryan Lonergan levelled the score at 21-all with a 46th-minute conversion attempt, before Harvey took over with three successful penalty attempts. That extended the Tahs’ advantage to nine with less than 10 minutes remaining.

Luke Reimer gave the Brumbies a fighting chance with a late five-pointer, but time was on the side of the visitors. That was New South Wales’ first win in Super Rugby Pacific since beating the Fijian Drua 36-13 on February 20.

“It was an awesome experience to go back and play against a lot of friends down there and a club that I hold in high respect,” Debreczeni reflected.

“I knew what the challenge would be to go down to Canberra and get the win. I think it was eight years since the Waratahs last won there.

“Immensely proud of the team and the effort for us to go down there and collect a win last week.”