Injury that sent Qld cricketer Ed Kasprowicz to the NSW Waratahs for U18s rugby battle with Reds

The name is familiar and so is the face but this rising star of rugby is playing different sports to the one that made his dad a household name and sent his cousin to the Olympics.

Ed Kasprowicz while in the Queensland Reds program. Picture: Tom Primmer/QRU.

Teenager Ed Kasprowicz lost countless hours of sleep wondering how he would ever be able to choose between the two loves of his life - cricket and rugby.

Then fate, in the form of excruciating pain in his back playing rugby, made the decision for him when it ruled him out of an entire cricket season in 2024 while he rehabilitated.

A year on, the son of Australian fast bowler Michael, nephew of former Waratahs player Simon and cousin of Boomer Will Magnay has moved states to join the NSW Waratahs on a two-year development contract in a move he said is “just unreal’’.

And it could become much more fun if the towering lock faces off against his old Queensland teammates in the annual stoush between the Tahs and Reds U18s academies at Waratahs headquarters at Daceyville later this month with Saturday’s event on hold due to Cyclone Alfred.

“I’m not going to lie, I can’t wait,’’ said the 203cm, 18-year-old lock whose best friend is Reds rising star Nick Conway.

“It’s going to be good, I think I’m going to really enjoy it.

“I really want to beat the Reds because it’s about (club) reputations.’’

Ed Kasprowicz. Picture: Tom Primmer/QRU.

Queensland cricketer Michael Kasprowicz bowling in the Adelaide Oval nets, 07 Mar 1990.

Kasprowicz, now based with family at North Curl Curl and playing for the Sydney University rugby club, said he was always dreaded having to choose between the two sports he loved.

“It was always something that really stumped me. It would keep me up at night,’’ said Kasprowicz, whose first goal is to beat the Reds and impress selectors enough to make the Australian U18 side later this year.

“Then I got two stress responses in my back either side of my L4 and it bummed me out a lot because I played three games with it and it was excruciating pain.

Simon Kasprowicz weight training at the Waratahs gym in 2004.

Will Magnay of the Australian Boomers is Ed’s cousin.

“I got ruled out for seven months and I was in a back brace all summer holidays, not allowed to run or do anything, just had to sit around, and I missed the cricket season.’’’

The full recovery of the talented fast bowler coincided with the Queensland schools rugby season and the choice was made for him.

“It turns out dad did play rugby as well, he played First XV for Brisbane state high and the Australian and Queensland schoolboys,’ said the 18-year-old of his Aussie quick father who in 1991/1992 became the youngest Australian to take 50 first-class wickets.

“When I speak to him now, he played cricket at a really young age, he always talks about how rugby was on the cards for him if cricket hadn’t worked out.’’

Kasprowicz said when he learned there was a position at the Waratahs he jumped at the chance to move south to pursue his goal of playing Super Rugby - when he bulks out.

“I’m still quite lean, 96 kilos and six foot eight. I look at people in my position and they are 117 or 120 kilos. I haven’t cracked 100 yet,’’ he said.

“It’s just something I have to deal with. I’ve got a fork in my hand most of the time and whatever falls in front of me I wolf it down.

“I feel so bad eating all my aunt and uncles food all the time.’’

The Reds v Waratahs U18s match in Sydney set down for Saturday has been moved to March 22.

The Waratahs U20s will take on Western Force U20s at 1.30pm on Saturday..

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Originally published as Injury that sent Qld cricketer Ed Kasprowicz to the NSW Waratahs for U18s rugby battle with Reds