Waratahs backrower Lachie Swinton wants to keep bringing his aggressive edge to the NSW outfit as they prepare for a bruising Blues encounter this weekend.
Growing up with two older brothers, the Sydney Uni product has never been afraid of contact and it’s a mentality that he hopes gives him a competitive advantage as he vies to cement his Super Rugby spot.
Swinton’s competitiveness was such that he and fellow backrower Carlo Tizzano went toe-to-toe at a preseason session, though the 23-year-old laughed off that incident.
“It's just competitive nature,” he said.
“I've actually become pretty close with Carlo, I would say he's pretty similar to me that's probably why we butt heads a bit.
“He's a really competitive bloke, tough guy, it's just a little training scrap, it's all behind us, it's funny.”
There’ll be no laughing when it comes to Super Rugby opponents, though, and Swinton said he felt that intensity gave him an edge.
“Definitely, it's one of the things that me and Carlo have that could set us apart from some of the other blokes in the team,” he said.
“That's definitely been a focus point for me and I'm sure him as well so it's important that we try and bring that each week.”
Though he’s happy to play an enforcer role, Swinton said he was also conscious of ensuring his competitive nature didn’t veer into yellow card territory.
“It's always been a part of my game so it's just trying to control it I guess sometimes but it's always been a part definitely,” he said
“I have two older brothers so that fuels the fire I guess but it's who I've always been, not going to change any time soon.”
“They're a big pack, some big solid forwards, big ball carriers so that will work in my favour as well because it'll mean a bit more contact so it's all good by me,” he said.
The Blues have been relative strugglers in the New Zealand conference in recent seasons but they have rejigged their coaching staff this year in the hope of bucking that trend.
Both the Waratahs and Blues opened their seasons with losses and will be desperate for
Where other Aussie teams find themselves in derbies early in the season, the Waratahs open their year with two Kiwi opponents.
It’s a prospect that outside back Alex Newsome said NSW was embracing.
“I think these benchmark sides you want them early in the year, really start with that challenge,” he said.
“It was a tough game on the weekend but we learned a lot out of that and looking forward to putting those learnings into practise this Saturday.
Saturday’s clash is the Waratahs’ first home game of 2020 and Newsome said they were keen to lay down a marker on home soil.
“There’s no doubt about it,” he said.
“We played the benchmark team over the last three or four yrears first game and tough result for us but we’re really excited to play at home.
“We've got a real focus on winning our home games this year, so looking forward to getting up to Newcastle and really defending our home.”
The Waratahs take on the Blues at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday February 8, kicking off at 7:15pm AEDT, LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Kayo and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.
