For the best part of three years Darren Coleman scoured the world to try and find a second-rower of world-class potential. In the end, all it took was luring back a homegrown talent of huge potential to fill one of the crucial missing pieces for the NSW Waratahs.
But while leg-ups and shortcuts have been a constant in recent history across the Australian rugby landscape, Miles Amatosero won’t be given a starting jersey in the Waratahs’ pack unless he proves himself.
“I’ve heard some of the press around him that he’s the next Will Skelton and he’s a Wallaby ready to go, I think that’s unfair on him,” Coleman told The Roar.
“He’s got all the tools to get there, but he hasn’t done it yet. Whether he takes time, I don’t know.”
Amatosero, 21, arrived in Sydney last week after finishing up with French Top 14 club Clermont.
The Sydney-born 203cm, 123kg lock was signed fresh out of school after being given trials by Saracens and Clermont.
In the end, the Waverley product signed with Clermont and it didn’t take long for him to earn his first cap and since then he’s built steadily.
After Emmanuel Meafou pledged his allegiance to Les Bleus, the rich rugby nation set its sights on capturing Amatoero.
But, to the relief of Rugby Australia officials, Amatosero signed with the Waratahs to be closer to his family and the chance to one day pull on the Wallabies jersey.
“I can’t play for the Wallabies while I’m over there,” Amatosero told The Roar in June during a brief holiday home.
“That’s my goal, and that can’t happen while I’m over there. I’ve got to come back home at some point because I won’t wear another jersey.”
Miles Amatosero, pictured with Will Skelton. Photo: Instagram
Late last week, Amatosero walked through the doors at the Waratahs’ headquarters in Daceyville and was put through some medical tests.
On Monday, he hit the ground running and has already left an impression.
Alongside fellow Fijian recruit Mesu Kunavula, 195cm, 125kg versatile forward, the pair have injected some natural size that has been dearly missed in years gone by.
Indeed, the Waratahs have never recovered since Jacques Potgieter left the franchise in 2015.
The steady trickle of second-rowers departing the franchise after, including Will Skelton, meant the Waratahs resorted to playing hybrid forwards capable of playing across the second and back-row but unable to dominate upfront where it matters most.
Miles Amatosero runs with the ball-in-hand at NSW training. Photo: Julius Dimataga, NSW Media
It’s why Coleman has been licking his lips over the past few months, knowing that at long last he has some raw power and depth in the second-row.
After an underwhelming year, where the Waratahs’ year barely got going after a slow start, which included the devastating injury to Angus Bell, Coleman said Amatosero wouldn’t be given any free passes despite his impressive pedigree.
“We’ve got depth, we’ve got coverage there. We’ve got [Jed] Holloway, [Hugh] Sinclair and [Fergus] Lee-Warner, he’s going to have to play well to get his starting spot,” Coleman said.
“But what he has that none of the others have is that physical status and physicality. He’s a big aggressive boy.
“For the three years I’ve been here, I’ve searched the world high and low on the salary cap restrictions we had to get a world-class tight-head, six-foot six-seven-eight lock back, Aussie qualified.
“It took me three years to find one and the beauty is that he’s got so much upside, he’s still only 21.”
tsuru
Roar Rookie
Great. Thanks for that JF.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
JF, you seem to know about Amatosero as a lineout jumper. Someone above was asking about that. Is he good? If so the Tahs have a very promising lineout for 2024 with him, Hanigan, Holloway, Swinton. (And Lee-Warner?)
whistleblower (retired)
Roar Rookie
For me it should be the job of RA – but I guess it goes back to accepting, or not, centralisation. Otherwise it is very disjointed
Footy Franks
Roar Rookie
RA do sfa
Kai Levuka
Roar Rookie
???? all good!
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
Where did you get t order stats on Mostert and Barrett? Most sites have them another - can you share the link?
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
Height matters but not when a lock is a hybrid? I don’t get it.
Uncle Fester
Roar Rookie
Ahh the dreaming starts again Freddy. There's a fair smattering of tried and discarded and unblooded 'talent' in your list!
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
My apologies I didn’t want to risk misspelling it, which I thought would have been ruder.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Sorry I didn’t make it clearer. The 57 come from the 9 Brissie GPS and 8 Sydney schools. But I didn’t even consider players from the seconds, thirds etc., and there was no way I could even consider how many from clubland are trying each year. So I reckon your additional 50 is easily accounted. Really, I can’t understand how people say we don’t have enough player base to satisfy the five teams we have. A pathway we desperately need to have improved is one for coaches. What I believe I’ve seen over the years is a limiting of opportunities for the favoured. Thanks for the input SDRF. Reminds me to be more clear with my “ramblings”. Enjoy the off-season and Merry Christmas.
Far Queue mate
Roar Rookie
I do too. Way too slow to be a 10 and cannot direct a team around the park.
Far Queue mate
Roar Rookie
Obviously Coleman is a poor selector, or he thinks the tugboat Edmed is a better 10.
Far Queue mate
Roar Rookie
Mostert is 200cm, Barrett is 198cm and not in the mix as a best lock in the world yet, Itoje is 195cm and a freak. So he is the only one you could come up with mate. The best locks are 200cm plus.
SDRedsFan
Roar Rookie
Hi BF, I think NSW has a GPS comp as well, so there's another 57 lads looking for a gig.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Good piece. Good content regarding a key role in the squad. Early days for the fella, but let’s see him rip in.
Kai Levuka
Roar Rookie
Please … the ‘new Fijian’ has a name. Mesulame Kunavula.
Kai Levuka
Roar Rookie
You do realise that ‘the Fijian’ has a name right? It’s Mesulame Kunavula.
John Ferguson
Expert
Not sure if you read it Bentnuc but Miles has 5cm on the closest contender in Fergus Lee-Warner and has 8-9cm on the rest of the competition. That is a significant disparity at lineout time. It also means his reach at full stretch could be up to 5cm higher than the others.
John Ferguson
Expert
To be fair Mostert and Barrett are backrow-second row hybrids and a player like Itoje is an exception. I am not saying that height is the end all or be all of a good lock, but having an extra 7cm on height plus the expanded wingspan could be an extra 4cm, it could be pivotal at lineout time. I think the 1% matters when you start competing against the best.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Another one yes