Waratahs’ flanker Chris Alcock extends his stay until 2013 – Rugby news
Sydney based Australian Super Rugby franchise, New South Wales Waratahs, has extended the contract of flanker Chris Alcock to the 2013 season. Club officials have confirmed the renewal of the deal for their star flanker in a statement released on their website
on Thursday, July 7.
Alcock’s new agreement with the Waratahs is considered a reward for his impressive performances with the club for last two seasons.
The 23-year-old Alcock made his Super Rugby debut for Waratahs against the Cheetahs in 2010. He has made 13 Super Rugby appearances for the Waratahs and has a try to his name. It is widely believed that Alcock will take the place of Waratahs former captain
and star flanker Phil Waugh, who has recently announced his retirement.
Alcock seems satisfied with new contract with the Waratahs. He has admitted that he received offers from other clubs, but he has preferred Waratahs to the other Super Rugby fanchises. He said, “There was a bit of interest out there which I haven't really
had before, but my preference was always to stay in Sydney.”
Alcock expressed hope that he can contribute to the club’s success. He further added that the decision to stay with the Waratahs was not the toughest, particularly keeping in view that the Waratahs believed in the flankers’ abilities. He added, “The HSBC
Waratahs gave me an opportunity in 2010 and I feel that since then I've continued to improve as a footballer training alongside guys like Phil [Waugh]. They showed a lot of faith to keep me in the program and hopefully I can continue to repay that faith for
the next couple of years.”
The Durban born flanker further added that besides looking to improve the team’s performance next season, he himself will work hard to remove his own shortcomings. He said, “I know there are a lot of areas in my game I can continue to work on to contribute
to the team and I'm looking forward to doing that.”
Waratahs finished at fifth place in the 2011 Super Rugby Championship table with 57 points coming from their 16 games of the season that included 10 wins. Blues defeated Waratahs 26 – 13 in the 2011 Super Rugby play offs.
Commenting on the team’s goal for next season, Alcock stated, “There are a lot of players in the group who think there's unfinished business from the past few years and I believe next year is already looking pretty exciting.”
Alcock will be eyeing a permanent place in the Waratahs starting XV particularly in the absence of Phil Waugh. However, he will have to survive the competition from Pat McCutcheon.
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