Giant winger Taqele Naiyaravoro has staked his claim for the vacant spot in the NSW Waratahs’ Super Rugby team with an eye-catching performance in their first trial of the season.
NSW won each of their three 30-minute games against Sydney grade clubs Randwick, Sydney University and Parramatta, with the defending Super Rugby champions scoring 10 tries to two across the matches.
No.8 Wycliff Palu was the only member of the Waratahs’ run-on side from their 2014 Super Rugby final-winning side to start on Saturday.
With winger Alofa Alofa heading overseas after last season, former Wests Tigers rugby league winger Naiyaravoro literally put his best foot forward by storming over the top of defenders on a number of occasions.
He scored two tries and threw the final pass for two more.
“I thought he did well and obviously the volume is going to go up a little bit next week against the Chiefs, so that will be a better test, but so far so good,” Waratahs coach Michael Cheika said.
“I still think he’s got a way to go.”
The 123kg Naiyaravoro, standing at 194cm, acknowledged he needed to develop the ability to go round players rather than brush them aside with brute strength.
“I haven’t really worked on running around them. I think I have to work on that, (but) where there’s less space, I’ll take the straight way,” Naiyaravoro said.
A number of Wallabies played in the game including prop Paddy Ryan, inside back Kurtley Beale and lock Will Skelton.
However, several others including Wallabies captain and flanker Michael Hooper, centre Adam Ashley-Cooper, fullback Israel Folau and halfback Nick Phipps all had the day off.
Cheika declared himself happy with the hit-out and reported no injuries.
“I thought it was not too bad considering it’s been a short pre-season and we’ve got a reduced amount of opportunities to play (trial) matches,” Cheika said.
“It was important we got what we wanted out of this – the players we wanted to get the runs they need to get and they did that today.”
He said almost all his Wallabies who didn’t get a run on Saturday would turn out in Friday’s final trial against the Chiefs, or the curtain-raiser to that game.
The only exception is winger Peter Betham, but Cheika said he should be fit for the opening-round Super Rugby match against the Western Force.
He said captain and flanker Dave Dennis, who missed the Super rugby grand final because of a knee injury, is scheduled to make his comeback on Friday.
“He needs a doctor’s clearance, but he’s been doing full contact training and he’s ready to go,” Cheika said.
Bakkies
Guest
Brumbies got over 5,000 in Wagga. Reds 4,500 in Cairns. People did get the message.
Billy Bob
Guest
Good on you, but obviously others didn't. It's a secret code.
Loyal Tah Fan
Guest
Was at two blues ground - Granville park at Merrylands
Morsie
Guest
I read about it at least a week ago.
Billy Bob
Guest
Jeremy, I had this conversation last year with Stray Gator. It astounds me that there is not a daily press release from the ARU or franchises about upcoming trials. It would be a great opportunity to see some of the country. I read the Roar regularly. (It's been my source of rugby info since smh put up a pay wall.) but I did not know where all these trials were on. I did not know that the Highlanders were playing in Wagga? Do the coaches want them to be secret? Does the ARU want rugby to be the Secret Code?
greg dowden
Guest
Looks like parramatta is kissing ass too be involved in that match but thats what bell does best. Randwick uni and parra hey 3 lowballers
Marty
Guest
misleading title once the article is read
pjm
Roar Rookie
That's a home game, not an away game.
Rugger
Guest
Simon That seems highly unlikley as Aust Rugby lacks vision. Aust 7s coach is sniffing around NRL for players to makes 7s team when two potential super stars were in the midst and were not identified - Big T as you call him and Nemani Nadolo. They would add great value in 7s as forwards with greater aerobic fitness. Big T was identified by NRL scouts in NZ, where were the ARU/Super/7s scouts - sleeping or just waiting for talent to pop up in private schools comps. Geraint John would do well if he included Big T in a foward and developed him. But not he is carrying on from O'Connor and keeping same old team which lack speed, x-factor and is performing at optimal level. S Vunivalu and Nelson Soloma was picked up from high school in NZ to NRL and what are ARU/Super Rugby/7s rugby doing about identifying next level of talent. We hearing post RWC exdous but what is ARU et al doing to bring next talent though or as you correctly identityed tying them to long term deals. Rebels and Force make noise about creativity and developing talent but both backline lack creative spark due to poor recruitment and retention and both seem hell-bent on targeting junior talent from Reds and Tah when NRL has vast talent pool that needs nurturing.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen NSW
Guest
I'm pretty sure it was at the 2 Blues ground at Parramatta.
Jeremy
Guest
Where was this trial match at? There was nothing on the Tahs website about it. The game at Campbelltown next Friday is the only thing on the website & that is well hidden too sadly. SBW and Izzy facing off at campbelltown. Will Mr Pulver be at that?
Simon_Sez
Roar Guru
Big T (Naiyaravoro) has the potential to be a huge star and be a valuable commodity in big demand from those rich European clubs. The ARU should sign him up now on a long contract before he receives an offer of 10 times what he is currently earning to play overseas. I would not expect any loyalty from him to a Wallaby jersey as he is Fijian. On $1 million to $ 1.5 million a year in Europe the surplus buys a lot of land in Fiji. To counteract that big problem I would also bring all his family out from Suva to live in Australia to create some loyalty to this country, that's if they want to come. Oh I would also stick a "transfer fee" clause in his contract so if he does go overseas Australian rugby gets a piece of the action to replenish the diminishing bank account to sign up other young stars.