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Wallaby Darby Lancaster joins Sua'ali'I & Kellaway at NSW Waratahs
By Finn Morton
Wallabies winger Darby Lancaster is looking forward to potentially playing alongside the likes of Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway and Joseph Sua’ali’i next season after signing a deal with the NSW Waratahs.
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Lancaster debuted in Wallaby gold in the recent 40-29 win over Georgia at Allianz Stadium. The former Australian sevens ace will play a lot more rugby at that ground in 2025 after putting pen to paper with the Sydney-based club.
The 21-year-old grew up in Kempsey on the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, where he played junior rugby for the Kempsey Cannonballs. Lancaster later moved to The Scots College in Sydney, which is a prestigious private school.
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In an interview with RugbyPass in March 2023, Lancaster revealed thought his “career was over” at 16 years of age after suffering a devastating knee injury. But after a long stint on the sidelines, the speedster went on to play for the Aussies sevens, Junior Wallabies and Melbourne Rebels.
But Lancaster is thrilled to be returning home to New South Wales as the outside back looks to progress his career while wearing the famed sky blue jersey of the Waratahs.
“I’m really excited to be joining the Waratahs and coming back to NSW,” Lancaster explained.
“The Waratahs are a proud club with a rich history and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.
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“Gowing up in Kempsey, I supported the Waratahs as a kid so I can’t wait to run out onto Allianz Stadium in the sky blue jersey.
“It will be great to be a part of a backline in 2025 that includes players such as Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, and Joseph Sua’ali’i.”
Lancaster announced himself to the rugby world on the HSBC SVNS Series after starring in a talented Australian in Vancouver during the 2022/23 season. That was a breakout event for the youngster who seemed to grow from there.
The Australian was impressive at the prestigious Hong Kong Sevens soon after but went on to leave the sevens program after signing with the Melbourne Rebels. After debuting for the Rebels, Lancaster never really looked back.
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Lancaster scored a try on debut in the round six win over the NSW Waratahs in Sydney and went on to score a hat-trick two weeks later in a big win over the Highlanders. The winger started nine matches this year and was rewarded with a Test call-up.
Coach Joe Schmidt picked 13 uncapped players in the Wallabies’ squad for the July series and the No. 11 was one of them. Lancaster showed signs of promise in the win over Georgia earlier this month.
Regarded as one of the most promising outside backs in the nation, the Waratahs are looking forward to working with Lancaster in the year ahead.
“We’re thrilled to have Darby joining the Waratahs,” NSW Waratahs High Performance director of Performance, Simon Raiwalui, said in a statement.
“Darby is a product of NSW and is happy to be returning to his home state. He’s a player who’s blessed with tremendous speed and evasive skills and his best years are in front of him.
“After a promising debut season in the Super Rugby this year, I’m excited to see the quality that Darby will bring to our backline in 2025.”
I'd be surprised if Joe hasn't influenced Super Rugby teams so tthey can place his future Wallabies into team groups where they'll get to hone their skill sets and learn how to interact with each other…it looks like the Waratahs are going to see some of these players in action…