- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
A trimmer Tom Carter is determined to put a disappointing year behind him and force his way into the star-studded Waratahs backline. Centre Carter is the only non-international named in the NSW starting side for Saturday’s trial against the Fijian Warriors.
The hard running back started in his more familiar position of inside centre in the Waratahs’ opening trial against Queensland last weekend, but has been shifted to outside centre for this weekend’s hitout.
Carter finished last year on the bench with Kurtley Beale and Timana Tahu filling the centre positions.
Tahu has since moved back to rugby league, but Beale, who earned his first Test caps on the Wallabies’ 2009 Spring tour, has regained the No.12 jersey he occupied at the end of last season.
“Kurtley was tremendous in that position last year, he’s the incumbent and certainly the jersey is his at the moment,” Carter said.
He revealed he had been working extremely hard since the end of the last Super campaign.
He has shed around six kilos, but will still pose a significant challenge to opposing defences with his 98kg frame.
“That was one of the things I worked really hard on, I think it’s probably the best I’ve ever felt physically,” Carter told AAP.
“I was disappointed with how I played last year.
“I’ve worked really hard on my game, both physically and skill-wise in the off season and I think for me it’s a matter of going out there and playing well every week.”
Carter said he was comfortable about playing in either centre position and had worked hard during the off-season on being adaptable in his style of play.
With new recruit Berrick Barnes, Beale and Daniel Halangahu vying for the key playmaking roles, Carter said he was capable and ready of playing in either centre position.
He acknowledged the competition for backline spots was more intense than at any time since he made his NSW debut six years ago.
“I think by far and away it’s the most competitive squad I’ve ever seen, it’s a testament to the coaching staff and scott Bowen, the recruitment manager, that we’ve been able to attract such good players in Drew Mitchell, Berrick and Sosene Anesi.”
NSW also played the Fijian Warriors in a trial last year and Carter anticipated a good workout for the Waratahs against a team comprising some of the best uncapped talent from Fiji.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.