Lane switches from Reds to Waratahs

Updated October 11, 2012 13:49:03

NSW coach Michael Cheika has moved quickly to bolster his halves stocks at the Super Rugby franchise with Queensland five-eighth Sam Lane among four additions to the Waratahs squad for 2013.

The quartet of Lane, half-back Matt Lucas, lock Jed Holloway and hooker Luke Holmes have snapped up four of the five extended playing squad spots for next season.

Lane, 21, made his debut for the Reds in this year's Super Rugby competition before his season was cut short due to a knee injury.

He is the son of former Wallabies centre and 1999 Rugby World Cup-winning assistant coach Tim Lane and will be back-up to Berrick Barnes and Bernard Foley at number 10 following the departure to Italy of Daniel Halangahu.

Lucas, 20, is the younger brother of Queensland utility back Ben Lucas and has been a star for the Australian Sevens team.

He joins the squad as the third half-back behind Brendan McKibbin and Grayson Hart following the departure of Sarel Pretorius back to his native South Africa after just one season.

"As the youngest of our three half-backs within the squad, Matt gives us balance in the position and succession planning for the future as we look to constantly bring new talent through the ranks," said Cheika, who was appointed as coach four weeks ago.

Former Randwick hardman Cheika is particularly excited about the addition of 19-year-old Holloway, a Shute Shield rookie of the year from the Southern Districts club in Sydney.

"Jed is a very impressive young player," said Cheika.

"As a lock or back rower, to be so highly rated at such a young age is a good sign as typically these positions are late bloomers.

"He's a country player, full of enthusiasm and like Kane Douglas, Paddy Ryan and Pat McCutcheon, he brings a rawness and freshness to the team that we hope will help rough up the competition in the forward pack."

Rounding out the recruits is 28-year-old Holmes, who has 28 Super Rugby caps after being a foundation player with both the Western Force and Melbourne Rebels.

He is the older brother of former Waratahs half-back Josh Holmes and the third hooker in the squad along with Wallaby Tatafu Polota-Nau and Damien Fitzpatrick.

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted October 11, 2012 13:49:03

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Rugby League Memorabilia Affected As Karmichael Hunt Switches Codes

Mason switches to rugby union

Updated May 23, 2011 06:12:00

Controversial rugby league star Willie Mason switched codes on Sunday after signing a one-year contract with big-spending French rugby club Toulon.

The 31-year-old - who can play at centre or in the back row - had been sacked by his Super League club Hull KR on Saturday just three months into his three year contract after it learnt he had been to Toulon to meet with the club's directors.

Toulon has become known as one of European rugby union's biggest-spending clubs and currently have the likes of England great Jonny Wilkinson and troublesome Wales international centre Gavin Henson in their squad.

The club has been reported to have offered Mason 395,000 euros ($531,000) per year and club president Mourad Boudjellal said they had offered him a year's extension to his contract should he make 15 starts next season.

The former Canterbury, Sydney Roosters and North Queensland NRL player will reportedly play for the Barbarians against England at Twickenham next Sunday and then again against Wales on June 4.

"I'm just so excited to be playing rugby and I'm looking forward to the challenge," Mason told the Sun Herald on Sunday.

"I've certainly jumped in the deep end in agreeing to play for the Barbarians without having any rugby experience.

"If you ask all the boys, I've always told them I've wanted to have a crack at rugby and I've always been the type to jump in at the deep end, and I'm ready to try the best I can to make an instant switch."

Mason has been involved in controversial incidents throughout his career.

These include testing positive for a recreational drug in 2003, being banned for one match after knocking out Great Britain forward Stuart Fielden during a Tri-Nations match in Sydney in 2006 and receiving a fine for urinating in a public place in 2009.

He is the 11th new signing by Toulon, which has had a disappointing season in failing to reach the Top 14 title play-offs.

Its most high profile acquisitions have been Wallabies back Matt Giteau, Springbok World Cup winning lock Bakkies Botha and exciting French international back Alexis Palisson.

- AAP/AFP

Tags: rugby-league, rugby-union, australia, sydney-2000, townsville-4810, france

First posted May 23, 2011 06:11:00

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