The NSW Waratahs have caught up with Australia’s Test cricketers in South Africa as both teams strive for success in that country.
Both will be in action in Durban in the coming days, with first match of the four-Test cricket series starting there on Thursday, and the Tahs take on the Sharks in a Super Rugby match on Saturday.
At least some of the Tahs mixed with the cricketers on Monday and plan to be in the crowd for the opening session of the Test.
“We had a bit of yarn with the fellows,” Waratahs and Wallabies forward Ned Hanigan said.
NSW back Curtis Rona added: “They are looking pretty fired up for this game.”
Fresh from an first-up win over the Stormers, NSW is also looking to fire up against a Sharks side keen to rebound from an opening-round loss followed by a bye.
Rona was one of many former Western Force players making a Super debut for another Australian franchise last weekend.
Despite many of them being scattered across the Australian east coast, Rona said the players remained in touch.
“You still give the odd little message to each other,” he said.
“We were really connected last year and I think that’s still rolled on. Even though we’re at different teams in different places of Australia, we still keep in contact.”
Rona said NSW had gained confidence from their win and pre-season focus on fitness, which enabled them to keep going and score a decisive after-the-siren try to beat the Stormers.
Rona backed the Tahs playmakers to keep creating opportunities for their backs with a variety of kicking options, two of which produced tries last weekend.
“We definitely want to play expansive rugby and that ability to be able to grab a cross-field kick or chip or grubber, or any type of way to move the ball to space as fast as they can, that’s the best option.”
“We back our playmakers to make that decision and we’ve got to back ourselves to have the ability to make that catch.”