Highly-rated Junior Wallaby inks new deal at Waratahs
NEWS: The Waratahs have secured the signature of highly-rated Junior Wallaby, Pat Tafa for the 2020 Super Rugby season.
A member of the Gen Blue program since 2018, Tafa was part of the Australian squad that made their way to the Final of the Under-20 Championships in Argentina earlier this year.
Tafa also made six appearances for the NSW Country Eagles in the 2019 National Rugby Championship (NRC) – turning in some eye-catching performances characterised by strong carries and hard-hitting work in defence.
A versatile forward who can operate in the second or back row, Tafa has excelled at junior representative level in both Queensland and New South Wales – joining the NSW Waratahs senior squad in 2019.
Plying his trade for Northern Suburbs in the Shute Shield, Tafa will be striving for a Super Rugby debut in 2020.
Waratahs head coach, Rob Penney said that Tafa was part of a young brigade of players well-positioned to take the step to the next level.
“We’re in a very exciting spot here at the [NSW] Waratahs at the moment,” Penney said.
“Pat is part of a group of young players who have excelled at junior representative level and are in a good position to take that next step.
“He was part of our Super Rugby set up in 2019 and understands what’s required at this level.
“Pat’s performed strongly at a junior international level and in the NRC this season – he’s a prospect that our fans should be excited about.”
Tafa said the move to New South Wales had been a beneficial one and he was looking forward to 2020.
“I’m glad to be here at the [NSW] Waratahs for another season,” Tafa said.
“The coaching staff and my teammates have been really supportive, there’s some great people here at the [NSW] Waratahs who have helped me develop as a player.
“Being a part of the U20 World Championships this year was a great experience, there’s a lot of guys from that squad at the [NSW] Waratahs – it’s a great environment and I’m really enjoying my rugby here.”
Tafa will remain with Northern Suburbs in the Shute Shield in 2020.
