Bryce Hegarty ready to take control as Waratahs five-eighth against Sharks

BRYCE Hegarty wants to cast off the role of no.10 understudy and play the leading man for the Waratahs when they take on the Sharks in Durban.

BRYCE Hegarty wants to cast off the role of no.10 understudy and play the leading man for the Waratahs when they take on the Sharks in Durban.

Hegarty expressed his desire to take control of the team in Bernard Foley’s absence as backs coach Chris Malone conceded a fit-again Nick Phipps may not automatically start at halfback ahead of Matt Lucas.

Foley has arrived back in Sydney after it was decided he should fly home due to ongoing symptoms from a concussion suffered in the Waratahs’ trial against the Highlanders three weeks ago.

The Wallabies five-eighth will be sidelined indefinitely, and given the notoriously unpredictable nature of concussion, there is no saying when Foley will return this season.

Hegarty assumed the no.10 role in the first two rounds but only after Foley tried - and failed - to be declared fit.

Bryce Hegarty is ready to step up as the Waratahs’ no.10 in the absence of Bernard Foley.

The move to send Foley home at the weekend has given Hegarty a first full week knowing he will definitely play and, in all likelihood, then keep the no.10 for a few more weeks, at least.

The unassuming 24-year-old understands that for the Waratahs to succeed, he must not view himself as a stand-in but instead take full control of the team and direct them around Kings Park on Sunday morning.

RESTRUCTURE: Streamlined comp a Super idea

“That’s what you have to do straight away and that’s what I am really focussing on this week,” Hegarty said.

“I am putting everything out of my mind and just taking control of the team. Playing football and controlling the boys around the park as best as I can, and combing with the nine and really leading the team. Because I think that’s what we need. We need good leaders and I am more than happy to step up into that role. That’s what I want from myself.”

Hegarty is stepping out of Foley’s shadow after being signed last year by coach Daryl Gibson as an insurance policy for the Test no.10.

With Foley returning from an off-season in Japan, Hegarty’s ability to step into no.10 was seen as extremely valuable, particularly given he had 33 caps as a playmaker at the Melbourne Rebels.

But Hegarty’s season was cruelly cut short when he blew a knee and required a full reconstruction.

The former Broncos under 20s player returned over summer and said he slowly and surely got his confidence back.

“It was good to get a full pre-season in and a few trial games, and it’s good having Bernard there and learning off him,” Hegarty said.

“And Chris Malone, our backs coach, being a five-eighth as well is very helpful.

“I have played a fair amount of football now, after having last year off. I am really confident in my ability and confident in the boys around me. It is an exciting team and an attacking team, and hopefully we can produce this weekend.”

Hegarty is good naturally teased by teammates for having a non-athlete’s physique but his footballing brain is among the best at the Waratahs, and his passing game is excellent. He scored a cheeky chip-and-chase try against the Lions.

Phipps is set to return from a rolled ankle injury but Lucas is a decent chance to retain the no.9 after solid performances in the opening two rounds.

The Manly halfback is more of a playmaker at the ruck base and it’s proved valuable in exploiting spread-out defensive lines.

“We had a discussion yesterday around our nines, and there are a few positions in the team where there is genuine competition,” Malone said.

“It’s fair to say Matt has done a pretty good job, and it was great to see Jake Gordon debut last weekend too.

“We have three guys there. Nick Phipps has obviously been an important part of our team for a long time. It doesn’t necessarily mean he has to start but I think he also, if Nick comes back this weekend, he has good experience here and he can only add to our team.”

Originally published as Bryce Hegarty ready to take control as Waratahs five-eighth against Sharks