Zach Fittler, son of NRL legend Brad, signs rugby union deal with NSW Waratahs

Rugby union has won the race for one of the most talented dual-code teenagers in the country, trumping the Roosters. And his NRL legend father couldn’t be more proud.

League legend Brad Fittler has expressed his pride at teenage son Zach signing his first professional football contract, after inking a deal to join the NSW Waratahs.

Shunning his dad’s chosen code, 18-year-old Zach as opted to sign a two-year Elite Development squad deal that will see him train part-time with the Waratahs.

“It’s great watching Zach chasing his dreams,” Fittler told this masthead.

Rugby league legend Brad Fittler couldn’t be more proud of his son, who has signed for the Waratahs. Picture: Getty Images

“I love watching him challenging himself.”

Zach is a 105kg barnstorming centre who has come through the Scots College system.

He had interest from the Roosters but will instead join a Waratahs group featuring NRL star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, league target Max Jorgensen, and Wallabies stars Taniela Tupou, Andrew Kellaway and Rob Leota in pre-season next year.

While many rugby juniors have been poached by rich NRL clubs of late, this is a major coup for union.

Fittler, a two-time NRL premiership winner who played 31 State of Origin games for NSW and 38 Tests for the Kangaroos, has one of the most iconic names in rugby league.

Zach Fittler, pictured playing the Roosters’ Harold Matthews Cup side in 2002, excelled at both rugby codes. Picture: Jeremy Ng

It would have been a major marketing boon for league had a second generation Fittler joined the ranks, but that is now rugby’s gain.

Having lost Mark Nawaqinitawase and Carter Gordon to the NRL this year, rugby is now back in the contest with Fittler’s signature.

Fittler played for the Roosters in Harold Matthews Cup, and made the NSW Blues under 17s squad while playing a year above his age group.

The Waratahs are expected to take Fittler’s development slowly, and it is highly unlikely he will be considered for Super Rugby Pacific next year.

Zach Fittler scores in the National U16 round three match between teenagers from the NSW Waratahs Gen Blue program and Melbourne Rebels at Daceyville. Picture: Julian Andrews

He will train with six other Elite Development players alongside the top Super Rugby squad, and play club rugby in the Shute Shield, with an eye to having him ready to play Super from 2026 if he makes impressive progress.

Fittler went viral online two years ago when he scored a blockbusting try for NSW’s under-16s team against state rivals Queensland.

He recently featured in the NSW 2nd XV team that won the Australian Schools Championship in July, and is now in Canberra preparing with the Australian under-18s squad for their trial games against the Australian Schools team on Thursday.

Fittler will play for the Waratahs’ academy team next year, and could break into the Junior Wallabies with strong performances.

Originally published as Zach Fittler, son of NRL legend Brad, signs rugby union deal with NSW Waratahs