RAIDING LEAGUE TALENT

Q

It’s been another pretty difficult Super Rugby season for Aussie teams but the Waratahs did make it to the semis. That’s what rugby in this country needs isn’t it, some success?

A

Yeah 100 per cent. That was a good Highlanders side that they beat … that’s exactly what young rugby players coming through want to see and aspire to.

There is certainly enough there to suggest they are going to be extremely good next year. They have a lot of young players in that forward pack – they are only going to get better. (Coach) Daryl Gibson 12 months ago was probably lucky to hold on to his job but he has managed to do some great things with them.

Q

The Waratahs, for now, have a pretty decent footballer in their ranks by the name of Israel Folau. Who stands out to you as another league player you would like to see switch codes?

A

Latrell Mitchell (right), the likes of him and Greg Inglis in a Wallabies backline with Israel Folau, it changes the dynamics of the team.

As a player, if I look at my opposition backline or person I am marking and if they are players you have to worry about, you know you have got to be up for it. Guys like Inglis, Israel Folau, if you are marking them you are going to be concerned to a certain extent because they are such phenomenal athletes.

The other guy would be (Nelson) Asofa-Solomona, the big guy who plays for the Storm. He came from rugby. He was a No.8 at Wellington College and went straight to rugby league but I’d love to see him of course playing Super Rugby and wearing an All Blacks jersey. He is a special talent.