The Waratahs have confirmed a trio of lock signings for the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season, signing Taleni Seu, Zac Von Appen, and Zane Marolt.
Seu makes the move from Japan, plying his trade with Toyota Industries Shuttles in Rugby League One.
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The 28-year-old made his Super Rugby debut in 2016 under current Wallabies coach Dave Rennie, playing 44 games.
“I am excited to join the Waratahs for the 2023 season. After having a chat with Darren Coleman, I can see what his vision is for the group and how he wants to build on a good 2022 season. The team sounds like a tight group, and I can’t wait to get to work,” Seu said in a statement.
“After being in Japan, I’m looking forward to getting back into the competitiveness of Super Rugby, while developing my game under some quality coaches.
“My wife and I have family in Sydney, so it’s going to be a good fit and we are really looking forward to our move later in the year.”
Meanwhile, Von Appen and Marolt join the team on wider training contracts.
Von Appen made the switch from rowing, having represented Australia at the U23 World Championships, playing a crucial role for Sydney Uni in 2022.
Marolt makes the move up the Hume after featuring in the Brumbies Academy for the past four years, playing for the Junior Wallabies in 2020.
“It’s a real privilege for me to join the Waratahs program, and something that I don’t take for granted,” Von Appen said.
“During my time rowing, I would train twice a day, six times a week, and worked at a bottle shop to support myself. To be able to join the program on a full-time basis and dedicate myself to the team I’ve supported since I was a kid is incredibly special to myself and my family. I cannot wait to get stuck in.”
"I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to join the Waratahs,” Marolt added.
“The team is trending in the right direction, and I feel this is the best place for my development as a player.
“I can’t wait to get started, work hard, and push my case to hopefully make my Super Rugby debut in 2023.”
Waratahs coach Darren Coleman was excited by the signings, needing to build depth after the departure of Jeremy Williams (Force), Max Douglas and Geoff Cridge.
“We needed to bolster our second-row stocks in the squad, and I’m really excited with the balance we have achieved with the arrival of these three recruits”, Coleman believes.
“Taleni will help us with our short-term needs with his experience, size, and physicality while with Zane and Zac, we are keeping one eye on the future as they are a couple of good long-term prospects.
“We feel all three will make a great contribution to our squad ahead of our 2023 Super Rugby campaign.”
