Newsome not satisfied with Brumbies win

Thu, Apr 5, 2018, 6:00 AM
An injury to star Israel Folau has presented Alex Newsome with a golden opportunity to impress. The youngster ready to make the most of his chance.

The Waratahs weren’t satisfied with a derby win in Canberra, says winger Alex Newsome.

Newsome, who will replace injured Israel Folau in the Waratahs’ starting team this weekend, said they weren’t happy with their win over the Brumbies in Canberra, though it was an important victory.

“It was a good win, (but) we were somewhat discontent in the fact that we probably didn't play our best game,” he said.

“There was a lot of dropped ball and we probably didn't work as hard off the ball as we would've liked

“So, that's the big message going into this week, just really focus on our game and probably just try and work a bit harder in our own roles and contribute to the overall performance of the team.”


Newsome has felt right at home at the Waratahs, since joining the side from the Western Force this season, returning to his home state and a host of familiar faces.

“Being a NSW guy I've played with a lot of the guys in the squad through NRC and junior teams coming through the ranks, so it wasn't a completely foreign environment to me,” he said.

“Playing with guys in the backline like Jake Gordon, Andrew Kellaway through Country Eagles and other guys coming up through the age groups, (it) makes it easier when you know guys off the field and then you can work on combinations once you start playing with them.”

Though Israel Folau has been the centre of another social media controversy this week, on the field Newsome said he couldn’t ask for a better rugby mentor.

“Israel's just one of those freak athletes, you know?,” he said.

“What people don't see from the stands is his knowledge of the game.

Israel Folau knew immediately that he was gone. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley“He's probably quite a quietly-spoken guy but he's really knowledgeable about, in the back three, positional play and just knowing when to pop up and contribute to the team.

“Positionally and things in attack I've learned off him, which has been good.”

NSW has been quick to talk up the Sunwolves this week, and Newsome joined that chorus as well, speaking of the danger of their speedy backline.

“The Sunwolves are a very dangerous team,” he said.

“If you've been watching their footy, they've got a lot of attacking flair, some dangerous outside backs and they play the quickest rugby in the competition in terms of ruck speed.

“We're aware of their dangers and there'll be no danger of complacency from us this weekend.”

The Waratahs left for Tokyo on Wednesday night, ahead of Saturday’s match up with the Sunwolves.

The Waratahs take on the Sunwolves on Saturday afternoon, kicking off at 2:15pm local, 3:15pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS.

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