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'He's a tough guy, you can see that in him. He's got a real thirst for it. He wants to play footy'

Wallabies back-rower Jack Dempsey

Wallabies back-rower Jack Dempsey signed a two-year deal with Rugby Australia and the Waratahs.

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The 24-year-old has made eight Test appearances for the Wallabies since his debut in June last year.

Dempsey, who first played for the Waratahs in 2015, has endured a tough year ruined by injuries.

“I went a long time without any good news so now to have some back-to-back good news after playing the last game and to now re-sign is just awesome,” he said after recommitting until at least 2020.

“Firstly to stay in New South Wales is great but then to have the opportunity to represent Australia for potentially the next two years is just a cherry on top.

“The support I’ve had from the Waratahs and the Wallabies over the past year has been world class so I have to thank them so much for helping me get back to this level.”

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika praised Dempsey’s bravery and hunger.

“He’s a tough guy, you can see that in him. He’s got a real thirst for it. He wants to play footy, he wants to try and be the best he can be,” he said.

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“I’m getting to know him better and better but I can already see he’s hungry to play and that’s the number one prerequisite for good footballers is that they want to play at all costs.”

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Nickers 16 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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