Archie Saunders memorable debut on night of gloom for Waratahs against Highlanders, injury list

It was a turn of pace that led to one of the few highlights for the NSW Waratahs in a Super Rugby Pacific loss full of injury angst and drama. So how did debutant Archie Saunders get so fast?

It was always going to be a tough making an impression on debut the same night as Joseph-Aukuso Suaalli was returning from injury, a new captain was running out for the Waratahs and young gun Max Jorgensen sustained a serious ankle injury.

But Archie Saunders managed to do it.

Playing on the wing, Saunders scored in the 43rd minute in his debut for the Joey Walton led NSW Waratahs in their 57-12 loss to the Highlanders.

It followed on from a string of injuries, head knocks and an ankle injury to fullback Jorgensen which has thrtown a major scare through Waratahs and Wallabies rugby.

“Max looks like he’s done a syndesmosis injury, so we’ll need to get that scanned,” Tahs coach Dan McKellar confirmed after the match.

Saunders, a Narrabeen Tigers Junior, and Jorgensen, who played his junior rugby with the Balmain Wolves, progressed alongside each other through the Waratahs Academy and were both identified when teenagers as stars of the future,

In 2024 Jorgensen was already with the Waratahs when Saunders was called in late to the Australian U20 side for their World Cup after making his first grade Shute Shield debut with the Warringah Rats.

Less than a year on he is the latest Waratah debutant - with his blinding speed one of his strengths.

Archie Saunders started the match against the Highlanders.

And that skill dates back to his early teens when as a Knox GPS schoolboy sprint sensation he was coached by Olympian Melinda Gainsford-Taylor who is also based on Sydney’s northern beaches.

And while he gave up sprinting for school rugby in his teens it wasn't that long ago that Saunders, who also scored two tries in a recent match for the Waratahs As, clocked 10.3 seconds over 100m.

High flyer Archie Saunders has made his way through the Waratahs Academy. Pictures: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

McKellar said prior to the match in New Zealand on Friday that Saunders, who started on the left wing for the Waratahs, deserved his chance.

“Archie is a really coachable kid. He chases kicks hard, he’s fast, powerful, and loves to compete. He’s been physical at training, and I couldn’t be prouder of him and his family for this opportunity,” McKellar said.

“When you expose young players, they need to be ready, and Arch has good players around him to support his debut.”

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