Former Australia A back Matt Carraro and young hooker Tolu Latu are the latest additions to a NSW Waratahs squad for the 2014 Super Rugby competition.
Winger-centre Carraro played for the Brumbies in 2007 and the Waratahs in 2008 and 2009.
He played for English club side Bath from 2009-2012 and was with French side Montpelier in 2012-2013.
Latu, 20, who played in Sydney University’s NSW club premiership-winning side last weekend, is just the second hooker in the squad behind Wallabies star Tatafu Polota-Nau.
He was part of the NSW Barbarians squad that recently played two games in Argentina.
NSW now have just one of their 30 roster spots to fill, with Cheika looking for another front-rower to round out the squad.
Carraro and Latu swell to seven the list of newcomers to the squad.
The prize recruits are Wallabies back Kurtley Beale and Springboks loose forward Jacques Potgieter.
Coach Michael Cheika, who has set the Waratahs a target of finishing in the top two next season, was enthusiastic about signing the Bulls’ hard man.
“In building our 2014 squad I wanted to profile one of our locks as a no-nonsense, hard and strong ball carrier and tackler, experienced and hungry to add these qualities to our squad,” explained Cheika.
“We have some excellent locks and back rows in our squad with different profiles and adding a quality recruit like Jacques to our team will definitely make for more competition within our squad, which should make us more competitive against our opponents.”
NSW Waratahs 2014 Super Rugby Squad
Forwards
Mitchell Chapman (Eastern Suburbs, 30)
Dave Dennis (Sydney University, 27)
Kane Douglas (Southern Districts, 24)
Tala Gray (Eastern Suburbs, 23)*
Jed Holloway (Southern Districts, 20)
Michael Hooper (Manly, 21)
Sekope Kepu (Randwick, 27)
Pat McCutcheon (Sydney University, 26)
Tolu Latu (Sydney University, 20)*
Wycliff Palu (Manly, 31)
Tatafu Polota Nau (Parramatta, 28)
Jacques Potgieter (27)*
Benn Robinson (Eastwood, 29)
Paddy Ryan (Sydney University, 25)
Will Skelton (Sydney University, 21)
Jeremy Tilse (Sydney University, 27)Backs
Adam Ashley-Cooper (Northern Suburbs, 29)
Matt Carraro (29)*
Kurtley Beale (24)*
Peter Betham (Sydney University, 24)
Cam Crawford (Northern Suburbs, 24)
Bernard Foley (Sydney University, 24)
Israel Folau (Sydney University, 24)
Michael Hodge (Sydney University, 24)
Rob Horne (Southern Districts, 24)
Jono Lance (23)*
Brendan McKibbin (Eastern Suburbs, 28)
Nick Phipps (Sydney University, 24)
Ben Volavola (Southern Districts, 22)
Charcoal
Guest
With only one player in the whole squad (Benn Robinson), what more has Eastwood got to do get greater representation? Minor Premiers for the last four years, Premiers in 2011, four premierships since 1999 and multiple Grand Final appearances since then. They must be doing something right so their players deserve greater recognition.
bozo
Guest
Magic Sponge - I know where you are coming from but it would seem that EM is bending towards the Waratahs in preference to the Rebels with his selections for the Wallabies. Uni obviously can't identify talent. Betham was on the Uni bench behind Rebels Mitchell and Kingston but is now on his way to Cape Town. The Uni selectors need to have a good look at themselves.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
See Tatah - you cannot even bring yourself to say the word 'cos of the fragile, fragile hope sustaining you! :) Sorry, sorry. I couldn't help myself, it was just sitting there asking for it and - ummm - the devil made me do it! No, I'm not a Reds supporter having a go at you Tatah. I just like cake, and rugby anywhere played by anyone.
Tatah
Guest
Ah, that familiar surge of optimism 5 months away from the competition kickoff...yes, yes I do believe we will it this year.
chann wee
Guest
The backs look like an under 24 team ! if they can retain the group for say 3 years, a lot of high quality players will be there for the Wallabies. oh how they would love to have a JackPot among the OZ forwards :)
Magic Sponge
Guest
Sydney Uni vs Wallabies would be a close game. Uni by 10