Code's generation next is ready to emerge
Rugby Union
BY Alex Larkin
These are the faces of Australian rugby's future.
Damien Fitzpatrick, Sitiveni Mafi and Ben Coridas might not be household names but the Shute Shield stars are set to make their Super 14
debuts with the Waratahs next year.
The trio will be named in the NSW franchise's first-grade squad for next season after progressing through the Junior Waratahs academy
program.
''They're three out of our seven top-tier pro academy players, and it's a great credit to them, their clubs and the coaching staff at the
Waratahs that they will all be part of the Waratahs Super 14 named squad next year,'' high-performance manager Scott Bowen said.
''Another player that will definitely be involved with the squad and the academy is Southern Districts winger Kane Douglas, who will put
pressure on the named squad - he might get one, maybe two Super 14 games next year depending on his off-season.''
Other Shute Shield players on the Waratahs' hit-list include Penrith's Jeremy Sua, Manly's Adam D'Arcy and Dylan Sigg, Uni's Clinton Sills
and Gordon's Chris Alcock.
Bowen credits the ever-improving Sydney club rugby competition for unearthing such talent.
''The standard at club rugby this year is a great improvement on what it has been in the last couple of years,'' Bowen said.
''And with the amount of Super 14-quality players in most teams, it's giving the younger unestablished guys a chance to shine and show us
what they're capable of.''
''Watching these young guys going head-to-head with guys like Tyrone Smith and Ryan Cross, it just gives us a really good perspective of
where those guys are at with their football and where they're heading.
''It shows how quickly they might be able to be fast-tracked in the academy program, because they're playing against Super 14-quality
players week-in, week-out.
''And every club has their young stand-outs. Someone like Damien Fitzpatrick, who's the Australian [under-] 20s captain, he's still only 20
years of age playing starting first-grade in the Eastwood pack with guys like Matt Dunning. The Shute Shield is preparing these kids for
Super 14 rugby like never before and it's the Waratahs who are benefiting.''
The program is responsible for producing the likes of Kurtley Beale and Daniel Halangahu.
With between 10 and 20 potential stars on their books any given season, Bowen said the Waratahs aren't just producing players for next
season, they plan to keep the production line rolling.
Regards,
Alex Larkin I Director of Rugby I Westfields Sports
Hamilton Road, I Fairfield, NSW 2165
T 02 9604 3333 I M 0417 007 776 I F 02 9725 4898
With thanks
Posted 4th November 2009
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