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How long till Ben Volavola gets a start with the Waratahs?

NSW Waratahs' Ben Volavola (Image: Paul Barkley/LookPro)
Roar Guru
4th March, 2013
42

Two standout performances from the bench from Fijian-flyer Ben Volavola have put pressure on him earning a starting Waratahs berth.

Twice Volavola has entered Super Rugby matches, against the Reds and then the Rebels, and twice he has made a big impact.

Why not thrown him in from the beginning?

The 22 year-old Sydney-born player is versatile. He can cover both fullback and fly-half.

He is quick, has great ball skills and knows how to find the try-line. He can also kick goals, an important factor considering the Tahs goal-kicking woes, and has decent passing ability.

He can put players through holes and has added some enthusiasm and excitement to a jaded NSW backline. He has beefed up the Tahs with some attacking threat. He has that confidence and swagger that rookies do.

Bernard Foley has yet to impress at 10. He didn’t last season and he has yet to this season. It’s arguable that his best position is actually fullback.

Israel Folau is still learning the game and is far from the finished article. He has had a mixed debut, some good in with the bad, but he has looked his best on Friday night when Volavola came in at fullback and Folau shifted to the wing. He looked a lot more comfortable out on his league position. Wing should be his spot until he fully learns the mechanics of the game.

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Then there is Adam Ashley-Cooper. Michael Cheika has him in the centres, not his best position in my humble opinion, and the overrated Tom Carter. Carter should not be in the first XV.

Coach Cheika has some big decisions to make, especially with Berrick Barnes and Rob Horne still out, and he needs to find a starting spot for Volavola either at 10 or 15.

A tall, strong and quick back, Volavola has earned his place in the Waratahs squad.

He starred for the Under-20s at the IRB Junior World Championship in 2011 and has played for NSW A. He made his first grade club debut for West Harbour in 2010 when he was still at school. He won a second grade premiership with Southern Districts in 2011. He turned heads helping Souths into the Shute Shield first grade grand final last season. The Newington College and Endeavour Sports High School product further impressed with his dynamism in the Waratahs pre-season trials this year.

He was born in Sydney to Fijian parents but spent his early life in Fiji. Volavola returned to Australia in 2000 and looks to be a natural playmaker with silky skills, with dreams of becoming a Wallaby.

His emergence is another example that club rugby continues to develop good players, and that more jewels like him and Jesse Mogg are there waiting to be found.

Volavola has looked more assured with each Super Rugby game. Now it’s time to see what he can do from the opening whistle.

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Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson

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