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Rising sevens star Jack Maddocks swaps Rebels for Waratahs

Jack Maddocks training with the Wallabies. (Photo by Chris Hyde / Getty Images)

The NSW Waratahs have received a big boost ahead of the Super Rugby season, securing Wallabies utility Jack Maddocks in a transfer from the Melbourne Rebels.

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The youngster, who played six Tests under Michael Cheika, looms as a possible fullback option to replace sacked star Israel Folau.

Maddocks wanted to return to Sydney and the Rebels were hoping to get a player swap but that did not occur and it’s believed there was a financial agreement.

The Waratahs face sharing 22-year-old Maddocks with the Australian Sevens program, which he has been involved with in recent months ahead of the Tokyo Olympics campaign.

“First and foremost, Jack is a wonderfully talented player,” said new Waratahs coach Rob Penney.

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“When the opportunity arose to bring him back it was one I was really keen on for a number of reasons.

“Jack can play right across the backline, he’s got speed, skill and creativity with the ball in hand.

“Bringing him back gives us a range of options in the way we’d like to set up.

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“I’m looking forward to seeing him on the training pitch over the next few weeks as he starts to embed himself into the combinations we’ve established over pre-season.”

Maddocks was grateful for the move back to his home state.

“New South Wales is home for me, my family are here, it’s where I started playing rugby and it’s where I want to continue my career – being involved with both the Waratahs and Eastern Suburbs,” he said.

“From all reports, it’s a great environment that Rob (Penney) and the staff have created over the pre-season and one I’m excited to be a part of.

“I’d like to thank everyone at the Waratahs and the Rebels for making this move possible.”

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– AAP

New coach Rob Penney believes he has the players on board to guide the Waratahs to a second Super Rugby title:

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M
MA 4 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..

If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.


My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.


ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.


Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.


Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.


It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.


So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.


After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.


Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.


Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.

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