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20-year-old Eamon Doyle named Waratahs captain for Super Rugby AUS title defence

Former Australia U20 skipper Eamon Doyle will captain the NSW Waratahs in their Super Rugby AUS opener against the ACT Brumbies on Sunday, with the second-rower set to earn a Super Rugby Pacific debut later in the season.

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20-year-old Eamon Doyle named Waratahs captain for Super Rugby AUS title defence
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Eamon Doyle, 20, will captain the NSW Waratahs when they open their Super Rugby AUS title defence against the ACT Brumbies in Bungendore on Sunday at 2:00 pm AEST, with head coach Locky also flagging a Super Rugby Pacific debut for the second-rower later in the campaign.

Doyle learned of the appointment on Monday. “Locky called me and he said they would like to name me captain – I was definitely surprised at first,” the former Australia U20 skipper said. “He reassured me that it’s a young squad and that’s all what Super Rugby AUS is about, giving young guys a go and it’ll be a good opportunity for me.”

The second-rower arrives at the Waratahs off the back of a stint leading Sydney University in the Shute Shield and says the experience of captaining at age-grade and club level has shaped his approach to the role. “The most important thing about being captain is not worrying about what other people [think] but just doing your job well and relying on having a group around you to support you and help you make the right decisions,” he added.

Doyle packs down in the second row alongside capped Wallaby Miles Amatosero, who made his Test debut during the July Nations Championship. Tom Lambert, Ethan Dobbins and Edwin Langi complete the tight five, while Pete Samu leads the loose forwards alongside Justice Taumoepeau and Marshall Le Maitre.

In the backs, former Australia U20 captain Teddy Wilson partners Max Burey at half-back. Burey arrives as a Waratahs recruit after being named Super Rugby AUS Player of the Tournament last season, having guided the Western Force to the Grand Final. George Poolman and Otto Serfontein start in the midfield, with Freedom Vahaakolo — who won the Shute Shield with Easts just a week ago — on the wing. Latrell Smiler Ah-Kiong and Sid Harvey complete the back three.

Isaac Kailea and Angus Scott-Young are among the forwards looking to make an impact from the bench as the Waratahs bid to retain the Super Rugby AUS title.

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