Varsity star in Tahs squad
Sydney University lock Ollie Atkins has been added to the Waratahs squad for next season after impressing in the recent Shute Shield finals series.
The 24-year-old is the penultimate addition to the HWaratahs’ 2013 roster and joins fellow second rows Sitaleki Timani, Kane Douglas and Greg Peterson.
Waratahs assistant coach Scott Bowen said: "His standout feature is his work rate and the impact he has around the ground. He's a solid ball carrier, he hits a lot of breakdowns, makes his tackles and is effective with the scrum and line-out."
The announcement caps a breakthrough year for Atkins, who this time last year playing for Sydney University in the 2011 third grade Grand Final.
Atkins received a late Super Rugby call up, making his debut for the Western Force against the Blues in Auckland in round 16, playing a full 80 minutes in the 32-9 loss at Eden Park and adding a further appearance the following week against the Crusaders.
After the completion of the Super Rugby season, the 200cm, 117kg Hobart-born lock returned to club duty, helping the Students record an eighth Shute Shield Premiership title in nine years with a single-point victory over Southern Districts in Saturday Grand Final.
The final place in the 30-man squad for next year has yet to be confirmed.
Waratahs 2013 squad: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Ollie Atkins, Berrick Barnes, Peter Betham, Tom Carter, Cam Crawford, Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Damien Fitzpatrick, Bernard Foley, Grayson Hart, Michael Hodge, Michael Hooper, Rob Horne, Sekope Kepu, Tom Kingston, Pat McCutcheon, Brendan McKibbin, Drew Mitchell, Wycliff Palu, Greg Peterson, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson, Paddy Ryan, Jeremy Tilse , Lopeti Timani, Sitaleki Timani, Lachie Turner, John Ulugia.
