1
Waratahs set to unleash teenage debutant as Michael Hooper nears return
By AAP
Coach Darren Coleman says Waratahs debutant Teddy Wilson - the teenage son of Wallabies great David Wilson - is a tough kid who's ready for Super Rugby Pacific.
The 19-year-old was named on the bench for the Waratahs clash with Melbourne on Saturday night at the SCG, although he is a halfback rather than flanker like his father, who played 105 games for Queensland.
With injury to skipper Jake Gordon, Wilson got the nod and Coleman said he was excited to see what the youngster could bring as back-up to starter Jack Grant, the son of former test winger James Grant.
"He'll be good - he's a little jack in the box - he's really evasive," Coleman said of Wilson.
"He's got a little spark around the back of the ruck.
"He grew up boxing a lot as a kid so he's got a tough edge to him as well. He's only little but he's fearless and I can't wait to watch him play."
Gordon could return from a hamstring injury in two weeks time against Fijian Drua and they are also set to have Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper back on deck.
Flanker Hooper, who has been nursing a foot injury while on extended leave after the test campaign, will return to full training next week but he jumped into a session this week.
"I don't know whether it was the Hooper effect but we actually trained the best we have in a long time," Coleman said.
"He trained with the second team and they were sharp - I think a lot of them were a little starstruck and didn't want to let the Wallabies captain down.
"So if we train that well when he's here all the time, then we'll be on a winner."
While the Waratahs are 2-2 this season, the Rebels are yet to crack a win from four games.
Coleman believes Melbourne have too much fire-power not to shake off their horror start but is hoping it doesn't come this round.
"I don't think complacency is going to be our issue but more so their guys bouncing back to form," he said.
"(The Rebels) have got too many good players and lots of guys with real Wallabies credentials that when they do fire, they're going to be hard to beat.
"My goal is to make sure they don't bounce back this week."
Trending on RugbyPass
2
RFU statement: Maro Itoje cited for yellow-carded tackle
3
Ox Nche: 'The best feeling is squeezing a prop so hard he passes out'
4
Dragons sign 102kg Stormers centre on immediate deal
5
Latest Comments
I’d say France was far more hard done by in the 2011 final than the All Blacks in this game. Joubert simply refused to call a penalty against the All Blacks in the last quarter even directing an All Black to drop a ball he picked up in an offside position rather than penalizing him. This article also totally discounts the efforts of PSTD. Ask Jordie how well he played. Or the backup flank who played hooker for the entire game. Siya was also a brilliant tackle by Richie from scoring a blinder. Pollard was also fantastic. Look I don’t like the boks style but the only thing more questionable than the content of this article is the timing of it. Get over it already
Go to commentsDad Marty was also a handy rugby player for Linwood back in the day. Great bloke. Sensational softball career.
Go to comments