Before this week, sitting next to Glenn McGrath on a flight to Dubbo had been the closest Ned Hanigan had come to fast bowling of an elite standard.
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But the Coonamble-raised Waratahs flanker got to see Australian quicks in action first-hand in South Africa on Tuesday (Australian time).
The Waratahs are preparing for a Super Rugby clash with the Sharks this weekend while the Australian side is also in the South African city preparing for the opening test of its much-anticipated Test series.
Hanigan was one of the Waratahs, along with Dubbo Kangaroos junior Tom Robertson and Cowra product Harry Johnson-Holmes, who spent time watching the Australian side train and it didn’t leave him with much desire to face one of the most feared pace attacks in world cricket.
“I don’t think I’ll be getting in the nets any time soon,” he laughed, before speaking about facing Starc or the all-conquering New Zealand outfit.
“It depends how many I have to face from ‘Starcy’ and I wouldn’t like them up near my head. Facing the All Blacks is something I always look forward to so I’d probably choose All Blacks.”
While saying he spent plenty of time watching cricket while growing up, Hanigan confessed it was only last week when he played his first match.
That was a charity match for Batting for Change, an organisation which works to create educational opportunities for disadvantaged women in cricket-playing nations.
“I hit one and then ran myself out so that’s the extent of my cricket career,” Hanigan laughed.
“I always enjoy it and I can hardly see some of the pills coming down the pitch now but it’s good.
“The exciting players are good to watch. And the fast bowlers, I sat next to Glenn McGrath on a flight from Sydney to Dubbo once before so there’s always been players you see on TV and things like that.”
Fresh from an first-up win over the Stormers, NSW is also looking to fire against a Sharks side keen to rebound from a Super Rugby opening-round loss followed by a bye.
Hanigan was one of the try-scorers in the 34-27 win last weekend and said his side took some inspiration from the way the Australian cricket team trains.
“The batters will field for however long and then bat in the nets, they’re out there a long time,” he said.
“Our sessions don’t go that long so the concentration you must need to train at the highest level and put yourself in that situation … it’s very impressive.”
The Waratahs will sit in and watch the first session when Australia takes on South Africa in the first test at Durban before turning their attention to preparation for the Sharks clash.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
