Why Kepu will prop up the 'Tahs
Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:52
Prop Sekope Kepu has given an early boost to the losing Super 14 finalists by re-signed with the Waratahs for the 2009 season.
Kepu was the final player selected in the Waratahs' 33-man squad for 2008, and went on to make his Super Rugby debut in Round Three against the Highlanders in Dunedin.
"I'm really happy here in Sydney and after we went so close in 2008 it's great to know I'm going to be here again next season," said Kepu.
"With Benn [Robinson], Matt [Dunning] and Al [Baxter] there's a lot of experience in the front row, there's a lot of things I can learn from them and it's a great team to be a part of."
The 125kg prop played four Super Rugby matches for the Waratahs and has also proven a handful in the Shute Shield, scoring five tries for Randwick in only a handful of matches.
While a calf injury in last Saturday's Shute Shield victory over Sydney University ruled him out of contention for Wallaby or Australia A selection the former New Zealand Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 player still has higher honours in his sights.
"It would be amazing to represent the Wallabies if I ever got that chance," said Kepu.
"At the moment I need to keep developing my game with Randwick, have a really good off-season with the Waratahs and hopefully earn some more game time in the Super 14 next year."
Born in Sydney to Tongan parents, 22-year-old Kepu spent his early years in the northern New South Wales (NSW) town of Glen Innes before relocating to New Zealand while still a youngster. He captained the Wesley College first XV - the alma mater of All Black great Jonah Lomu - as a No.8 in 2004 before switching to the front row in 2005.
A member of the Chiefs wider training group between 2005 and 2007 and a standout for Counties Manukau in the Air New Zealand Cup in 2006, a broken collarbone ruined his 2007 season and saw him end the year without a Super 14 contract in New Zealand.
He joined the Waratahs in December 2007 as the 33rd and final member of their 2008 Super 14 squad.
"He's an extremely talented prop forward in a technical sense, but his mobility in general play is a bit like having an extra back row forward on the field," said NSWRU Chief Executive Officer, Jim L'Estrange.
"It's important to have depth in all positions and re-signing Sekope means the Waratahs front row stocks remain the best in Australia."
