Waratahs utility Bryce Hegarty has re-signed with NSW until the end of 2019.
Hegarty has struggled with injury at times since joining the Waratahs, playing just two games in his opening season before rupturing his ACL.
The Waratahs showed faith in Hegarty extending his contract this season, with the flyhalf/fullback playing 11 matches for the year, at 10 and also making a cameo on the wing late in the season.
Hegarty, a former Brisbane Broncos U20s representative said he was optimistic about the club’s future.
“There is such a good feeling around this team at the moment and the whole time I’ve been here I’ve never felt like this,” he said.
“There’s so much excitement, so much energy and so many expectations on ourselves, we all want to be the best.
“The last couple of years have been tough but there’s new energy, there are new faces and everyone’s harder on each other, everyone’s competing for spots.
“We want the best for NSW rugby, we want to be the best for the fans and we’re here to play rugby and we’re here to play well.”
Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said Hegarty had plenty of value to bring to the side moving forward.
“For a team that’s trying to change itself we need strong leaders and that is something Bryce brings,” he said.
“He is one of those players who has an excellent game sense. He’s a footballers’ footballer.
‘We also liked his speed and what he brings to the game in and is a really important part of the squad.”