He’s battling the pain of injury and the thought of not being able to represent his country next month, but you couldn’t wipe the smile off Ned Hanigan’s face on Wednesday.
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The Coonamble product and Waratahs star was at Dubbo for the opening day of the NSW School Sports Association Combined High Schools (CHS) titles, where more than 200 of the state’s best juniors are in action for three days.
The Wallabies back-rower took in some of action at Apex Oval while also helped out the likes of Narromine junior Pat McCutcheon and Manu Sutherland of the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) High Performance unit run seminars and pass on tips and hints to each of the 12 sides involved in this week’s carnival.
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“This is so good to see. There’s 260 kids here and they’re all different shapes and sizes and that’s what makes our game so good,” Hanigan said.
“It’s awesome to come back and there’s some pretty good talent running around. I’m keeping my eye out.”
While the level of talent on show impressed all in attendance on day one, Hanigan was delighted by the attitude of the players as well.
It’s awesome to come back and there’s some pretty good talent running around.
- Ned Hanigan
The Western side, coached by Dubbo’s Gerard Hart, hung on every word from the experts during a scrum session
“These kids are bloody willing to learn,” Hanigan said.
“It’s good to have others here offering their expertise and if I can give a few tips here and there it’s good but it’s so easy when you’ve got kids who love the game and are enjoying themselves and obviously they want to get better.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to come out here and even if they only take one or two things back to their clubs and put into practice then it’s worth it.”
Hanigan is currently sidelined with a knee injury suffered in a Super Rugby clash against the Crusaders and it is likely to see him miss Australia’s June tests against Ireland.
The “thoroughly enjoyable” trip to Dubbo was a welcome distraction for the man capped 12 times by his country.
“It’s going to be about four to six weeks (out) but hopefully closer to four,” he said.
“You hope your performances earlier in the year are good enough (for Wallabies selection) but there is so many good sixes getting around at the moment and so many good players so I’m just concentrating on getting this knee right and getting fit and strong and obviously if that come around it’s always special to pull on that gold jersey and I would like to do it again this year.”
Hanigan has impressed for the Waratahs this season and his side sits on top of the Australian conference in Super Rugby with six wins from 11 games.
The Coonamble product didn’t get the chance to get home during his trip and he added he was hopeful next time he ventured west some rain would have fallen because he was all too aware thing were “pretty dry”.
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.
