Wallaby David Porecki extends deal with Rugby Australia and Waratahs
The Wallabies’ most recent captain David Porecki has re-signed with Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs until at least the end of 2026.
Porecki, 31, debuted in Wallaby gold against England in 2022 and has gone on to represent Australia on 19 occasions – including during last year’s World Cup campaign in France.
The hooker, who has penned a two-year contract extension on top of his current deal which expires at the end of 2024, became the Wallabies’ 88th captain at the sport’s showpiece event. With Will Skelton out injured, Porecki led the team in three of four pool matches.
Alongside world-class number eight Rob Valetini, Porecki was one of just two players to start every Test match under then-coach Eddie Jones in 2023.
So, for Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs to secure the services of the 19-Test Wallaby for the next few years is a major coup ahead of the British and Irish Lions Tour in 2025.
“I couldn’t be happier to re-sign with the NSW Waratahs and Australian rugby for a further two years,” Porecki said in a statement.
“Since returning home I’ve been able to achieve some of my personal goals, but I know I’ve got plenty more to contribute and will be continuing to work hard to be part of my successful teams.
“I’d like to thank those at Rugby Australia and for the Waratahs for backing me and I’ll be doing all that I can to repay that faith over the next few years.”
Porecki’s path to international honours is unique. The 31-year-old played one Super Rugby match for the ‘Tahs before leaving Australia to pursue an opportunity overseas.
After five seasons in England with Saracens and London Irish, Porecki returned to Australia and the ‘Tahs ahead of Super Rugby in 2020. But an injury ruled out any chance of a national call-up.
But Porecki continued to chip away and he was eventually rewarded for his consistency at the set-piece and leadership around the park with a Wallabies debut two years ago.
“To have a player and person of David’s calibre re-commit long-term is hugely positive for Australian rugby,” Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh added.
“Dave’s been a consistent performer for the Wallabies since returning home and we’re looking forward to seeing him continue to represent his state and country with pride over the next few years.”
Porecki debuted for the NSW Waratahs in 2015 against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. Following the previously mentioned stint overseas, he’s gone on to play 36 Super Rugby matches.
“For David to have started in every Test in 2023 and finish with the World Cup campaign as captain speaks volumes to his value he can add to a playing group,” Waratahs coach Darren Coleman said.
“He’s measured, mature and has a drive for perfection. He puts his body on the line week In, week out.
“David is also a keeper of standards in our group and is a great mentor to the other hookers in our program. It’s a great signing for the Tahs.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Self proclaimed expert/pundit Andy Goode and his very personal views on referees…Why recalling them in such an article as if he were an undisputed authority on the subject ? Only because fellow writer ?
1 Go to commentsLate growth spurts are a common problem over here. I’m well over 30, and I just started having a growth spurt too. Could be a world class prop soon.
1 Go to commentsas much as the challenge cup is a bit of a nothing competition, winning it would still mean something. last year it was won by toulon, who are now something like 4th in the top 14? The year before it was won by Lyon a season before they finished 3rd in the league. The year before that the final was contested by Montpellier and Leicester - 12 months before they both became domestic champions. That should give Gloucester fans some hope.
1 Go to commentsgreat article - although I can’t help wonder whether the more relevant debate over coming years will be between Ford and Fin Smith!
1 Go to commentsMaking Scott Barrett captain might be a masterstroke….will calm him down & stop brain fades and also take pressure off Ardie, so he can just play his natural monster game. Lets see how that all pans out🧐
8 Go to commentsI’m surprised Scotland are planning to rest key players this summer - I don’t think any other tier 1 nation will be doing the same?
2 Go to commentsGreat analysis Brett and what a shame that RA haven't spent more on the tight five instead. BTW I see the latest 8-9 Combo has dropped, looking forward to that. It's incredible the amount of damage that Hamish and Eddie's egos did in such a short space of time. From memory Eddie drove the initial drive to poach league stars way back in the 00s, with community rugby paying the price in reduced funding. Australia went from 15% of its income being spent on community rugby in 2002 to 2.4% in 2015, sheer madness and look where they are now. Hamish reminds me of Scrappy Doo. Always mouthing off, spoiling for a fight with bigger dogs who'd eat him alive. Sadly RA didn't have a Scooby Doo to bail him out.
12 Go to comments*_“I love watching bone-shuddering tackles, brutal clear-outs, monster ball carries, and crushingly intense scrummaging. I love it. These things make my heart rate spike. These aren’t the only things I love about rugby, but I feel no need to pretend I don’t love them, or to apologise for loving them just in case someone thinks I shouldn’t.”_* beautifully put Flats🔥
3 Go to comments“Hidden comments” all over the place😂 Turlough’s been a busy little boy ey🤭
83 Go to commentsit’ll all be released in an autobiography a few years from now….. “Razor shafted me” blah blah blah. thinking of making Scott Barrett captain might be a good move. Could calm down his brain fades & make him an even better player for them
3 Go to commentsSadly he played far too many games too young. England and France really do need to look after their younger players better.
1 Go to commentsHaving finally been able to watch the first Chasing the Sun (thanks RugbyPass!) - because I refuse to pay DSTV's extortionate monthly fee in SA - after four years, it was amazing to see Mapimpi's story as well as seeing my personal hero, Rassie, breaking down when telling it. There _is_ hope for the country, but only once we've got rid of the crooked and incompetent ANC (and others) who have set out to destroy it. Viva Rassie, viva Kolisi viva rugby!
1 Go to commentsWhether true or not, all the best to you Sam Cane. A warrior of a player and a loyal servant to the ABs! Go get you some yen and have some fun.
3 Go to commentsThe game was changing too much with teams trying to role the dice drawing fouls. Would be better if scrums and the adjudicating problems were resolved but this is a good immediate fix.
42 Go to commentsLike many here I am encouraged by this post. Our forwards are where the real rewards and improvements must come from. With a 50/50 pack against any opposition, our backs could ensure more than 50% of the games will be won. We need Valetini at 6 and Cale at 8 to make the most or a good tight 5, McWright will add to the effectiveness of the pack BUT must get a very good tight 5 out there first.
119 Go to commentsThe key point I think that is missing is that if Joseph wants to guarantee a Lions spot, he really has to play wing in his first year. He is easily going to nail down whatever he wants to do, but with just half a season, how much of a factor he proves to be in the Lions series could be dictated by this initial choice of playing position.
12 Go to commentsthe game was 2 weeks before the challenge cup final. I really don’t believe they needed to rest that many players.
1 Go to commentsI really feel like neither of the Vunipolas is given the respect they deserve. I would have liked to see both of them get a few more caps than they have gotten in the past couple of years, but unfortunately the fact that they both peaked young has meant that for a number of years they have been perceived as disappointments. When they are both retired, in the cold light of day they will be recognised as two of the best players of their generation of any nation.
4 Go to commentsthis generation of saracens players could produce some really incredible coaches. When Farrell retires he could walk into any premiership team as a defence, attack, or kicking coach. Itoje could make it as a defence or a lineout coach, and Jamie George as a lineout or scrum coach. The problem the Vunipolas are going to have is that its not clear what their coaching speciality would be. Neither are great in the set piece, and while they were good in attack and defence, they were never tactical masterminds. Perhaps contact skills would be their ideal brief? Mako perhaps could work in strength & conditioning, but Billy has a bit of a reputation for not taking that side of the game seriously.
4 Go to commentsA very good player.We are finally getting some balance in our team. Plummer..Heem ..Lam a solid..experienced combo who take the sensible options consistently. Clarke was a grt impact of the bench option until Lam moved to 13 to replace an injured Reiko. Cotter is doing a grt job building his team. .
1 Go to comments