Why Waratahs tipping bright future for Zach Fittler along with Wallabies jersey after code swap

The Waratahs are predicting a green and golden future for the talented teenage son of NRL legend Brad Fittler after the schoolboy star made a life changing decision

Zach Fittler has chosen rugby over league.

The NSW Waratahs have finally confirmed one of the worst kept secrets in the game with schoolboy rugby star Zach Fittler signing with the club earlier this week on a two-year elite development contract.

And the 105 kilo powerhouse 18-year-old, referred to as “the tank in rugby circles, could be playing his first game for Australia within a fortnight in rugby if he makes the cut in the Australian 18 team to Tour New Zealand to be named on Friday afternoon.

A schoolboy rugby gun at Scots College, Fittler has aggression, talent and X-factor in equal measure,

Waratahs head of talent Andrew Cleverley believes Fittler has talent to burn and has a future with the Wallabies in years to come.

“He has the physical traits to be a Super Rugby midfielder or a Wallaby in the future,” Cleverly said.

Zach Fittler scoring for the Waratahs U16s.

“He’s got the off field attributes to go to the highest level.

“He’s got a great skills, family support, works on diet and nutrition and he’s a good athlete and a good person.

“He’s also got size and power and a great never-say-die attitude.’’

Involved with the Sydney Roosters junior program, league’s loss is rugby’s gain with Fittler also involved over the past few years with Waratahs junior teams, including the victorious U16s team in the 2022 Super Rugby U16 series.

“It will be good for our game because he’s a quality player and a quality kid,’’ Cleverley said.

“The trajectory we see for him is to play in Waratahs Under 19 and Australian under 20s and see where he progresses from there.

“We are 100% excited. He has great size and we’re looking at him for the midfield, number 12 or 13.’’

Fittler, who will take the field for the Australian 18s development squad in Canberra on Thursday against clubmates and members of the Australian schools rugby union side, will train with the Waratahs Super Rugby part time alongside other rising stars of the game in 2025 and 2026.

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Originally published as Why Waratahs tipping bright future for Zach Fittler along with Wallabies jersey after code swap