1
Ex-NRL player commits to rugby
By Online Editors
Former NRL winger and Wallabies outside back Curtis Rona has signed a new two-year deal with the NSW Waratahs and Wallabies, re-committing to rugby until 2019.
Rona made the code switch from League this year, playing outside centre for the Western Force. He quickly became an emerging star, helping the franchise to a third-place finish in the Australian conference before earning a Wallabies call-up where he played three tests.
With the Force exiled from Super Rugby, Rona's future was up in the air but his desire to play at the Rugby World Cup in 2019 affirmed his decision to stay.
"Having my first year with the Force made me more hungry to keep playing and sign on for the World Cup."
"I felt with it only being my first year I thought I still haven't played my best rugby yet is what made me want to stay as well.
"I just had to make sure I had the right deal for me and my family and make sure I got myself in the best position moving forward," Rona said.
"I think I've done that with signing for the Waratahs for the next two years."
Rona will have a chance at the Waratahs to cement himself as the first choice 13, with Wallaby Rob Horne moving overseas. The move will put Rona in arguably Australia's most talented backline - with Kurtley Beale and Israel Folau.
"It's a pretty star-studded backline and pretty humble people there in those roles... that sort of enticed me as well," Rona said.
Rona reportedly had offers to go overseas or return to rugby league.
"A lot of people do pull the trigger early but I had my first taste of the green and gold jersey," said Rona, who scored a try against the All Blacks on debut.
"It was a memorable moment for me and that's what ultimately made me want to stay in rugby in Australia, because of that jersey.
"It was awesome. I just wanted more."
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Jake White: Ireland, Australia and Wales have the same problem
3
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
4
Let's be real about these All Blacks
5
Latest Comments
There is nothing particularly significant about Ireland in this regard compared to other Tier 1 nations. To look at 'strategy' for illegal play its best to see what teams push boundaries with new laws. SA have milked two tries at ruck block downs. The strategy is to charge the first few before the ball is out at about 4 seconds but pull out and put up hands in reigned apology. The referees usually allow the scum half to clear without awarding a penalty in this scenario. The problem with that being that the scrumhalf is now taking over 5 seconds through no fault of his own. Having achieved a few slow balls > 5s , the SA forward can now pick a scrum to charge dead on 5s. Now if the scrum half waits, he will concede a penalty, as we saw against Scotland. With the new rule in place, any early charge should result in an immediate penalty.
SA also got an offside block against England which was pivotal again after a couple of 'apologetic' offside aborted charges forcing England to clear slowly.
Go to commentsYep, you're not the sharpest tool in the shed are you?
Go to comments