Waratahs star reveals competitive edge at training ahead of new season
Positions are still up for grabs as the NSW Waratahs prepare for their final trial before the Super Rugby season begins. The Waratahs will travel to Roma in central Queensland to take on the Reds on Saturday night.
The Waratahs can expect plenty of well-meaning banter from a passionate country crowd, but thankfully they welcome back a host of Wallabies this week who are keen to contribute in preseason despite a long time away on Spring Tour.
It makes this match-up a preview of what we can expect from both teams during the season, with both squads at nearly full-strength.
The likes of Angus Bell, Harry Johnson-Holmes and Lachie Swinton will start in the forward pack, while Wallabies debutants Lalakai Foketi and Izaia Perese will form a powerful centre combination in the backs.
Welsh import Jamie Roberts has been named on the bench for his first run in the sky blue jersey.
Ben Donaldson has seemingly won the race to the starting flyhalf gig and will partner Waratahs captain Jake Gordon in the halves.
A shoulder injury to Will Harrison in the Brumbies trial has opened the door for Donaldson, who gets the nod over fellow playmaker Tane Edmed.
Vice-captain Alex Newsome says Donaldson has earned the nickname ‘Bernie’ after Wallabies legend Stephen Larkham as he mirrors his calm demeanour and ability to spot a hole in the defence.
“Benny is such a calm, level-headed guy. It’s good to have him in that playmaking seat. He’s got great skills,” Newsome said.
“We used to call him ‘Bernie’ Larkham when he first came on the scene. He’s just got that calmness at ten. His speed is often underestimated. He’s got a graceful running style and he can just slide through a gap.”
Newsome is locked in his own battle for a starting spot despite being named fullback for the Waratahs previous two trial games.
There is plenty of talent amongst the team’s outside backs and Newsome revealed there have been a number of players auditioning for fullback and wing spots throughout the preseason.
“I have been training there [at fullback] all this week. There are a few of us that have been in that position.
“It’s a position I would like to play, for sure. There’s a few of us with Rammy [James Ramm] and Marky Mark [Nawaqanitawase] that have all been training there. Everyone’s been putting their hand up.
“For me, it’s a position that I have played coming through the pathways and I have played a Super game there as well. It’s a great position. You have a bit of a licence to roam in attack.
“There’s a lot of competition for spots in the back three. There’s a lot of boys who you might not have seen previously play, who have played well in the trials whether it be on the wing or at fullback.
“Right across the squad, there have been additions in every position that have just added to our depth. Darren [Coleman] has quite a direct style and he will challenge individuals on their performance every day in training.
“The competition has been heating up more and more the closer we get the beginning of the round one.”
That competition extends to the Waratahs back row, with players eager to prove themselves before the return of Wallabies flankers Ned Hanigan and Michael Hooper.
Lachie Swinton has chosen to forgo the preseason R&R afforded to returning Wallabies in order to get a jump on the competition and prepare his body for the rigours of Super Rugby Pacific.
“Nothing is set in stone, and to have that competition in the squad is healthy. I’m not taking it lightly, I know there’s going to be competition even in my spot. I’m excited about that,” he said.
“We are slowly building and we have had a couple of good hit-outs over the past few weeks. To top it off against the Reds – I think the game will be played at full noise.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
3 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
2 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
3 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments