The Waratahs have welcomed returning Wallabies Ned Hanigan and Patty Ryan as the push for a top-four finish and home quarter-final ramps up.
Hanigan and Ryan joined the group on Monday, available for selection for this Saturday's crucial clash with the Hurricanes.
The pair return from stints in Japan, with Hanigan adding further competition to an already stacked back-row whilst Ryan's return is timely with Harry Johnson-Holmes (knee) likely to miss the rest of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
“It’s great that they are back. I was saying to the boys they want to come back and try and slot back into this side because we’re playing well and there’s so many people asking for spots so it’s great to see them back and we can’t wait to see what they can bring to this team," centre Lalakai Foekti told reporters.
“Ned, you can hear him before you see him, he’s always got a smile on his face and wanting to pick the boys up but also loves to work hard.
“Paddy brings a wealth of experience. He’s like a Hoops, an older head that boys want to perform when he’s around and show what we can do."
Prop Angus Bell pointed to their vast experience as key for the young squad, hoping they can have a similar impact to Wallabies bolter Jed Holloway and John Eales Medalist Michael Hooper.
“It’s hugely different. They have such a massive impact on the boys on and off the field,” Bell believes.
“It’s awesome to have those two back again to join Jed and Hoops who have been awesome for us this season. Someone like Jed has been killing it all year, it adds to the standard at training and as soon as they came in, they had an immediate impact you could feel the competition and intensity within the squad just lift again.
“It’s been nothing but positives but those guys are top blokes as well, (Paddy) is an awesome man who has helped me a lot in the scrum space and I’ve played a lot with Ned at ‘Tahs or Wallabies and he’s a great guy and a hard worker so it’s great having them in the squad."
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Their return comes at a perfect time for the Waratahs, who have suddenly vaulted themselves into a top-four battle, leapfrogging the Queensland Reds and only behind fourth-placed Chiefs on points difference.
The Waratahs are relishing the chance to return to Leichhardt Oval for two of their last three games as they look to secure a home final.
“I think it’s critical to our season,” Bell added on their home ground advantage.
“We said a couple of weeks ago we were going in with a mentality looking down the ladder but now we want to see how far we can go, how deep we can get into the competition and we want to win it. We think getting that home quarter or semi at Leichhardt or somewhere in Sydney would be our best opportunity to do that.
“We’re pushing really hard for that top-four spot and we’re looking forward to the challenges ahead.”
