Waverley College may have a winning edge against St Augustine’s in Wallabies curtain-raiser
It is tipped to be a cracker of a game but Waverley College may have an early edge over St Augustine’s in their curtain-raiser to the Wallabies and Samoa Test this Saturday.
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Waverley College’s past experience playing on a big stage in front of a noisy, large crowd could provide a winning edge in their anticipated matchup with St Augustine’s Brookvale in the curtain-raiser to the Wallabies and Samoa Test on Saturday.
The school is benefiting from a Rugby Australia decision to bring back schools rugby ahead of major games.
“This is a bit of a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Waverley’s Director of Co-Curricular Stephen O’Donnell of the upcoming match against the northern beaches team prior to the Wallabies Test.
“Waverley have actually played at Bankwest before against the King’s School before a Waratahs game (in May).
“I’m hoping it will work in our favour having played on that surface and at that venue.
“It’s an amazing stadium, the noise is phenomenal.
“The boys who have played there will have a great match awareness.”
We were a little battle weary rather than battle hard when we got back
While St Augustine’s finished first in the Independent Schools Association comp, Waverley were third in the Combined Associated Schools competition but earned the call-up for Saturday’s game when Knox and Barker declined the invitation to compete.
O’Connell said Waverley had a number of injuries throughout the season which impacted their end result.
“We have had a number of injuries and we also went to Japan in April and played six games in eight days when we made the semi-finals,’’ he said.
“It was a lot of rugby in a short time. We were a little battle weary rather than battle hard when we got back.
“For this we will be very close to full strength.”
Waverley have a number of young players already being earmarked for big futures in rugby.
“Our No. 10 Emanuele Di Bartolo is in the Australian under 16 Barbarians side and Alex Rice, the captain, is in NSW under 18s Gen Blue squad,’’ said O’Donnell.
“Ronald Volkman is NSW schoolboys, Ethan King, our No. 7 is NSW under 16s schoolboys and Davvy Moale is under 16 Gen Blue.
“Because we have had a number of injuries we have five under 16s players in this team.
“It will be invaluable that experience. Of our squad of 23, 14 will be back again playing next year so they are a young side.”