Waratahs’ front row remains intact until 2013 season - Super Rugby news
Australian Rugby Union (ARU) and New South Wales Waratahs have announced the re-signing of all their front row forwards. Waratahs head coach, Chris Hickey, confirmed the extension in contracts for hookers Damien Fitzpatrick, John Ulugia and prop Sekope Kepu
on May 12.
The retention of the front row will help the ARU campaign to keep the best available talent in Australia and stop the flight of key players to Northern Hemisphere to the minimum.
The trio constitutes one of the finest front row forward packs in the Super Rugby championships. The three players have signed contracts with the Waratahs until the end of 2013 season. Head coach Chris Hickey said the trio of signatures would further cement
the Waratahs' position as one of the dominant forward packs in the competition.
Waratahs have played 11 matches in super xv so far, have won seven, and currently reside in sixth place in the combined super xv table. Waratahs have been further boosted by re-signing the three key players because their star player in the season, Kurtley
Beale, is due to leave the Waratahs at the end of the season.
Speaking on the occasion, Hickey individually focused on the attributes of each players and the value they brought to the team. Hickey has also praised the efforts of the assistant coach Michael Foley and his role in developing an impressive unit that is
continuously improving.
22-year-old Fitzpatrick joined the Waratahs in 2009. Although he has sustained an injury to his leg during super xv rounds and is out of action for the next two to three weeks, Hickey has many expectations from the young hooker.
Commenting on the 25-year-old Sekope Kepu, Hickey said, “Sekope Kepu had his first real off-season this year and his performances have been first rate. He's definitely one of the in-form props in Australian Rugby at the moment and it's great that he's going
to be back on board for two more years.”
25-year-old Ulugia joined the Waratahs in November and had few opportunities this season. However, he has made the most of the every chance, particularly his superb performance in a match against the Western.
Commenting on Ulugia, Waratahs coach said, "His 80 minutes against the Force where he scored the match-winning try made a lot of people sit up and take notice and I know he's taken a lot of confidence from the performance.”
Waratahs are enjoying a bye week during round 13 of the super xv and have one more game to play at home before they kick-start their South African tour against the Sharks at Durban on May 28.
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