How Coogee stairs help Henry O’Donnell, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii injured, standouts in Brumbies trial

It’s a time he hated but this painful interlude in Waratahs young gun Henry O’Donnell’s life could well pave the way to his future success in the game. Tahs v Brumbies trial wrap

Action from the Waratahs v Brumbies trial. Picture: Waratahs Media

It’s a time he hated with a passion but this painful interlude in centre Henry O’Donnell life could be the key to his future success in rugby.

Weeks of hard yakka on the infamous Coogee death stairs, sometimes dubbed the stairs of doom, beloved by fitness trainers and enthusiasts alike but dreaded by most for the steep ascent.,

The steepest steps in Sydney which have cult status and in O’Donnell’s case have left a lasting impression after he tore his hamstring three times in a short space of time last year -including playing for Norths in the Shute Shield decider won by Easts.

“The hamstring is feeling good. I did it in the semi-final and redid it in the final and then two weeks after so it took about four months (to rehab),’’ said O’Donnell, who has returned to his home state after a season with Western Force where he made his Super Rugby Pacific debut.

“We did the Coogee stairs with the rehab guys. They are so hard. When we can’t fully run we do the stairs

“ I hate them so much but I think it's a big part of us being fighting fit.’’

O’Donnell was named on the bench for the Waratahs Super Rugby trial with the ACT Brumbies in Bowral on Saturday which ended in a 36-36 draw.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii stayed in Sydney as his teammates headed south to recover from a minor knee injury, delaying his debut for the Tahs.

Henry O'Donnell in training with the Waratahs. Picture: Waratahs Media

Young gun Max Jorgensen moved from left wing to cover Suaalii’s absence with Darby Lancaster moving up from the bench to wing.

The pair made a big impact on the game the Tahs lead 21-19 at halftime with reserve backrower Felix Kalapu performing under pressure with a try in the dying minutes securing the draw.

Lancaster ended the match with two tries, Tane Edmed with three conversions and Triston Reilly, Jack Grant and Andrew Kellaway with a try each.

The Brumbies shared the scoring around with Liam Bowron, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Ollie Sapsford, Austin Anderson, Declan Meredith all going over and Declan Meredith converting two and Ryan Lonergan one.

Henry O'Donnell

O’Donnell, who grew up playing rugby for the Mosman Whales and a pathway player for the Waratahs turned heads with a four-try haul over five games at the 2023 U20s World Cup.

Behind a log-jam of talent in the midfield, he moved to Force to make his debut before being signed with a Tahs side overhauled after finishing with the wooden spoon last season.

“It’s good to be back. I’m glad to be home,’’ O’Donnell said. “It’s a dream come true really.’’

So too is one day representing his country like so many of his teammate in the Waratahs.

“I want to be a big contributor for the Waratahs, that’s the goal right now’’ said O’Donnell, who has piled on six kilos in a tough pre-season.

Fans turned out in numbers for the Waratahs v Brumbies trial. Picture: Waratahs Media

NSW Waratahs for Borwral trial. Loose-head Prop Angus Bell, 2. Hooker David Porecki, 3. Tight-head Prop Daniel Botha, 4. Left Lock Ben Grant, 5. Right Lock Miles Amatosero, 6. Left Flanker Rob Leota, 7. Right Flanker Charlie Gamble, 8. Number Eight Langi Gleeson, 9. Scrumhalf Jake Gordon ©, 10. Fly half Tane Edmed, 11. Left Wing Max Jorgensen, 12. Inside Centre Joey Walton, 13. Outside Centre Lalakai Foketi, 14. Right Wing Andrew Kellaway, 15. Fullback Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 16. Reserve Julian Heavan, 17. Reserve Isaac Kailea, 18. Reserve Felix Kalapu, 19. Reserve Hugh Sinclair, 20. Reserve Jamie Adamson, 21. Reserve Triston Reilly, 22. Reserve Lawson Creighton, 23. Reserve Darby Lancaster, 24. Reserve Jack Grant, 25. Reserve Henry O’Donnell, 26. Reserve Leafi Talataina 27. Reserve 28. Reserve Taniela Tupou.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of Australia runs with the ball as he is tackled by Sione Tuipulotu of Scotland during the Autumn Nations Series 2024 match between Scotland and Australia. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images

ACT BRUMBIES to play in Bowral: Blake Schoupp, Liam Bowron. Feao Fotuaika

Lachlan Shaw. Cadeyrn Neville, Tuaina Taii-Tualima, Luke Reimer, Rory Scott, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ben O’Donnell, David Feliuai, Hudson Creighton Ollie Sapsford, Andy Muirhead, Finishers: Lington Ieli, Billy Pollard, Lachlan Lonergan

Timma Fainga’anuku, Rhys van Nek, Tom Hooper, Lachlan Hooper, Eli Langi, Jack Condon, Judah Saumaisue, Klayton Thorn, Ryan Lonergan, Jack Debreczeni, Corey Toole, Austin Anderson, Kadin Pritchard, Shane Wilcox.

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