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‘The best lock in the world’: Wallabies hopeful Miles Amatosero chases greatness

By Finn Morton
Clermont's Australian lock Miles Amatosero (R) is tackled by Montpellier's French back-row Alexandre Becognee (L) during the French Top14 rugby union match between Montpellier Herault Rugby and ASM Clermont Auvergne at The GGL Stadium in Montpellier, southern France, on November 11, 2023. (Photo by Sylvain THOMAS / AFP) (Photo by SYLVAIN THOMAS/AFP via Getty Images)

Wallabies hopeful Miles Amatosero is back in Australia after signing with the NSW Waratahs for the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season. But the opportunity to return home is more than just a step towards a potential Wallabies debut, it’s a milestone moment in the journey to greatness.

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Amatosero, 21, has signed on with the Sydney-based club after three years abroad in France. The hulking second-rower had the chance to sign with the Waratahs Academy as a teenager but instead chose to sign with ASM Clermont Auvergne.

The young Australian trekked the road less trodden. After joining the Clermont Academy, Amatosero debuted in the famed yellow jersey against Ma’a Nonu’s Toulon. Amatosero went on to play more than 30 matches for the Top 14 juggernauts, including four appearances in the esteemed European Champions Cup.

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With that invaluable experience spurring him on, Amatosero has returned home to Australia as a new man. The New South Welshman learned to “love” to set piece over in France and is now ready to make his mark against the best players in the southern hemisphere.

We all must walk before we can run in the pursuit of any dream. Amatosero has put in the work overseas and after settling into life as a Waratah, the lock isn’t shying away from the ambitious goals that he’s chasing.

“I’m trying to not make it so much of a dream, I’m trying to make it a reality,” Amatosero told RugbyPass.

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“I’m staying confident in what I’m doing… just getting better every day. If that means Wallabies that means Wallabies, if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.

“Of course, that’s the dream, that’s the end goal that I want to play for the Wallabies.

“A huge (goal) for me is being the best player that I can be and hopefully that means the best lock in the world.”

Amatosero set the bar high from day dot at the Tahs. In a statement released by the Waratahs about 115 days ago, the Australian said: “Man, I wish one day I could be a Wallaby.”

As the tallest player at the Waratahs – and by a noticeable margin, too – there’s plenty expected of the club’s ‘big’ recruit heading into the 2024 season under coach Darren Coleman.

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Wallabies Jed Holloway and Ned Hanigan will challenge for spots in the starting side, but Amatosero is more than capable of forcing a reshuffle at some stage.

But before a ball is kicked or a whistle blown in the Super Rugby season, Amatosero is first and foremost just happy to be back home.

“It’s been awesome. Seriously, like I think leading into I had a lot of expectations with being back home (after) being away for so long,” Amatosero said.

“It’s been so much better and more just being home just feels right, if feels normal – it feels normal but in a good way, it’s almost hard to explain.

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“Comfortable but I don’t want to stay comfortable. I’m trying to achieve more and do more and more every day but it’s definitely a lot easier to play good footy.”

The NSW Waratahs will get their Super Rugby Pacific season underway with an unmissable blockbuster against arch-rivals the Queensland Reds at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. That match is scheduled for 7:05 pm (local time on Saturday, February 24.

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J
Jon 10 hours ago
The case for keeping the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby Pacific

I have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.

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