NSW coach Michael Cheika has moved quickly to bolster his halves stocks at the Super Rugby franchise with Queensland five-eighth Sam Lane among four additions to the Waratahs squad for 2013.
The quartet of Lane, halfback Matt Lucas, lock Jed Holloway and hooker Luke Holmes have snapped up four of the five extended playing squad spots for next season.
Lane, 21, made his debut for the Reds in this year’s Super Rugby competition before his season was cut short due to a knee injury.
He is the son of former Wallabies centre and 1999 Rugby World Cup-winning assistant coach Tim Lane and will be back-up to Berrick Barnes and Bernard Foley at No.10 following the departure to Italy of Daniel Halangahu.
Lucas, 20, is the younger brother of Queensland utility back Ben Lucas and has been a star for the Australian Sevens team.
He joins the squad as the third halfback behind Brendan McKibbin and Grayson Hart following the departure of Sarel Pretorius back to his native South Africa after just one season.
“As the youngest of our three halfbacks within the squad, Matt gives us balance in the position and succession planning for the future as we look to constantly bring new talent through the ranks,” said Cheika, who was appointed as coach four weeks ago.
Former Randwick hardman Cheika is particularly excited about the addition of 19-year-old Holloway, a Shute Shield rookie of the year from the Southern Districts club in Sydney.
“Jed is a very impressive young player,” said Cheika.
“As a lock or back-rower, to be so highly rated at such a young age is a good sign as typically these positions are late bloomers.
“He’s a country player, full of enthusiasm and like Kane Douglas, Paddy Ryan and Pat McCutcheon, he brings a rawness and freshness to the team that we hope will help rough up the competition in the forward pack.”
Rounding out the recruits is 28-year-old Holmes, who has 28 Super Rugby caps after being a foundation player with both the Western Force and Melbourne Rebels.
He is the older brother of former Waratahs halfback Josh Holmes and the third hooker in the squad along with Wallaby Tatafu Polota-Nau and Damien Fitzpatrick.
BERNIE
Guest
Sam is a great signing because he is a consistantly good goal kicker. Western Province helped shape him as a complete footballer....
Markus
Guest
I think it's injuries more than anything. He spent most of his 2 year stint at the Brumbies on the sideline, then finally got back on his feet and tore it up for Sydney Uni. Why the Rebels got rid of him is different question altogether, especially when they were already resorting to playing Kingi in the back three due to lack of players.
Mals
Roar Rookie
It says more about your irrational hatred of all things NSW. Get a grip!
Comrade Bear
Roar Rookie
Dam! I really liked the look of Sam when he played for the Reds just before getting injured...
formeropenside
Guest
You do know that for instance, Van was born in Dubbo and played his senior rugby in Qld? Michael O'Connor has not played for Qld in about 30 years. Ditto a few other names. Want me to throw in Tuqiri, Sailor, Barnes, Little, Grey, Cannon, etc etc? Besides, this is about how the Tahs cant actually develop their own talent, despite the biggest player base in Australia.
Justin2
Guest
RK - I saw him light it up a year or two back in a practice match for the Rebels. Was completely staggered he was cut, never really got a chance yet a guy like Lachie Mithcell is a mainstay down here. You wouldn't read about it!
Justin2
Guest
Not bad for a Melbourne kid, like to see him come home, we are short on hookers...
Red Kev
Guest
Never minding the state of origin nonsense - it seems NSW winger Peter Betham is carving up in the ITM which is good news for the Waratahs since Mitchell and Turner are bound to trip over a blade of grass and pull a hamstring at some point during the season.
glacier
Guest
FOS The Faingaas were born in Qbn, NSW, played for St Edmund's College,Canberra, then for the ACT Brumbies and moved to QLd as 23 year olds. As Qlder as Greg Cornelson, Geoff Shaw, Chris Latham, Van Humprhies, Michael Foley, MIchael O'Connor, Radike Samo, Beau Robinson, etc.
formeropenside
Guest
Most were Qld schoolboys.
Jimmyjam
Guest
Yeah, the tahs have a few qld imports, unlike the exclusively local products playing for the reds...... Or are they? Unfortunately you blokes have about the same grip on reality as Gillard and her ALP cronies...... How is this for Qld spin.... Png.... That's in qld NZ...... That's in qld Queanbeyan , that's in qld Melbourne, that's in qld Dubbo, that's in qld Fiji, that's in qld Samoa, that's in qld Sydney, that's in qld Queensland's everywhere!!!! Waiting for the confected outrage....!
Red Block
Guest
Probably says more about the Tahs set up that all of them had to go somewhere to get a start and now they are all shining.
jameswm
Guest
I'd have him as the 2nd hooker. He was a very good reserve hooker this year. Lucas at half - meh, from what I've seen he's got a didgy pass, esp to his left. I hope someone fixes it up and soon. I'm far from convinced about him. By the way fos - what state are Brett Sheehan, Nick Phipps and Nic White all from?
Red Kev
Guest
Lane, Lucas, Holloway and Holmes (hooker) are part of the 5-man extended playing squad, not the actual declared 30-man squad. I don't have a clue what the difference in terms of rules and regulations is, just the names. Ulugia is probably still there is my point.
formeropenside
Guest
I thought Ulugia was the third hooker in the squad. Its a bit of a shame that Sam Lane is going to be a Waratah. Still, it just increases the proportion of Queenslanders - and therefore talent - in the NSW backline. Its potentially majority Qld with 9 McKibbin - 10 Matt Lucas -11 Mitchell - 12 Lane - 15 Barnes. (Note from Roar Mods: Note inappropriate comment removed - let's have good insightful debate, not silly sledges. Thanks, Roar team.)