0
AAP
October 11, 2012,
10:27 am
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.
Reply With Quote
