Waratahs secure signature of Super Rugby AU's top line-breaker
The NSW Waratahs have locked in one of the country's most exciting prospects after winger James Ramm signed a two-year contract extension on Wednesday.
Ramm was man of the match in the Waratahs' thumping of the Reds on Saturday, creating an early try with a brilliant step followed by a chip and chase to set the tone at the SCG.
The 22-year-old is surely on new Wallabies coach Dave Rennie's shortlist, leading Super Rugby AU statistics in clean breaks (10), sitting equal first on defenders beaten (18) and running third for metres carried (275) with three games to play before finals.
The win against the Reds kept the Waratahs in the finals hunt, drawing the teams level in third on 11 points behind the Rebels (14) and Brumbies (18), ahead of Friday's clash with the Force (2).
A junior gymnastics standout before choosing rugby, Ramm had no plans to backflip on the Australian system despite the format of the competition beyond 2020 still being nailed down.
He is the second player to commit beyond this season after Queensland's Hunter Paisami, since the contract freeze was lifted earlier this month.
"I'm just loving every minute of it," Ramm said.
"To be a part of this squad and represent the Waratahs is something I'm really proud of, and to have been able to share that (debut) with my family and friends this year is a memory I won't forget.
"There's been some frustrating times (with injury) but that's made this year all the more enjoyable."
A product of the Waratahs' development system, coach Rob Penney said he still sees plenty of upside in the winger.
"It's been really pleasing to see Rammy grow into his position within the team, he's improving every week which is a testament to all the work he does behind the scenes," he said.
"He's a fantastic athlete with a great skillset that is only going to improve with experience, he's a proud New South Welshman and we're glad he'll be with us for the next couple of seasons."
- Murray Wenzel
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There is no place to hide in the front row. You win or lose each time and it selects for hard men/women and those who enjoy combat
Go to commentsThey might have won several different areas on the field but the one that ultimately counts is on the scoreboard. Ben Smith’s nonsense is still shown up for what it is following criticisings by his team’s coach claiming similar nonsenses and several other players as well. I am not an expert but I know All Blacks know that the game is won by the team with more points on the board than the opposition. Also the red card on Sam Cane is entirely his own fault. If they were aggrieved for having one less player on the pitch, that was their own fault, their own captain who possibly in a moment of forgetfulness tackled too high but either way it is a RWC Final, you cannot be having lapses of forgetfulness in a match like that. The fact that they were down a man for 64 minutes was their fault. And even if they did dominate the second half for 35 minutes, they had crossed the whitewash twice, they had several kicks at goal, the fact is they didn't maximize on all the opportunities they were given. The one try was disallowed, the two kicks at goal were missed, the opportunities not taken. Every tackle was made by the Springboks with so much more fervour than anyone had seen even in the Semi Final the week previously. Whatever Ben Smith says, most of what he says can be chalked down to a spoiled sport who has nothing better to say than whine and moan because ultimately the team he supports lost when it mattered most.
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