Waratahs forward Ned Hanigan is adding another string to his bow after playing no. 8 for NSW for the first time.
Hanigan came through the junior ranks as a second rower before flourishing as a blindside flanker with the Waratahs, a position in which he was also given his Wallabies debut.
The 24-year-old switched to the back of the scrum for the Waratahs’ clash with the Bulls last weekend with Michael Wells ruled out with injury.
While Hanigan has trained at no. 8 with the Wallabies it was his first Super Rugby start in the position and he embraced the switch.
“I don't really mind the back of the scrum,” he said.
“You've obviously got a different role to play there, there was a lot of scrums being packed.
“I've been back there a fair bit, I've just had the no. 6 jersey on this year and it's always good to test your skills in different positions. I like the position.”
With Wallabies back row and second row spots incredibly competitive ahead of September’s World Cup, Hanigan said having experience in a number of spots could only benefit his rugby development.
“Eight's a really unique position and you've got a lot of things that you need to get upskilled on and throughout the year and the back end of last year, I've been trying to do that,” he said.
“It just adds to the versatility and gives the coaches and the players the confidence, having trained in that position and going into having to play it.
“They know they can back you in that position.”
The Waratahs were left disappointed, and languishing in fourth spot in the Australian conference, after a 28-21 loss to the Bulls and Hanigan said they were determined to
Though they dominated territory in the second half, Hanigan lamented their scoring chances gone begging.
“We just needed to capitalise on the opportunities that are given, particularly when we get down in the zone where we need to come away with points,” he said.
“It felt like we were right in it until the end but I think opportunities towards the end of the game which we just didn't capitalise on, which let us down.
‘The boys' effort can't be questioned, you always know when you play South Africans on home soil they're always going to be tough.
“We just need to put that one behind us and the mistakes we made and focus on the weekend ahead.”
The Waratahs take on the Lions on Saturday May 11, kicking off at 3:05pm local, 11:05pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and Kayo Sports.
