Narrabri boy Sid Harvey commenced training with the NSW Waratahs’ senior squad this week after recently being upgraded from the club’s academy pathways program.
The former junior Blue Boar recently turned 20 and has his sights set on playing Super Rugby in 2026 after opting not to go around on the sevens circuit for Australia again.
He debuted for the Aussie men’s sevens team late last year, and had a tough decision to make after also impressing for the Waratahs and the Australia under-20s team in the 15s arena in 2025.
He captained his country at the Under-20 World Championships in Italy in July and was named in the team of the tournament for the Super Rugby Aus competition last month after excelling for the Waratahs, who claimed the 2025 premiership.
The Narrabri boy is traditionally a fullback but played the majority of the Super Rugby season on the wing, with his versatility and attitude two of his greatest assets.
His kicking also holds him in great stead, with his conversion record in the Super Rugby comp ending up being 16 from 18.
Like Harvey, James Hendren, Eamon Doyle, Leo Jaques and Austin Durbidge were upgraded from the academy to the senior squad ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific season, which will get underway on Friday, February 13.
NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar said Harvey and his four teammates had earned their spots in the senior squad.
“It says a lot about our pathways and talent identification in NSW, that for young players, if you want to work hard and perform, there is a pathway to Super Rugby,” McKellar said.
“These players have shown that by representing and performing for their clubs and our age group teams, you can earn the right to play at the professional level in NSW.
“(They bring) real enthusiasm. They are young and hungry to get that first opportunity.
“They will bring their own different skill sets, but collectively they will inject real enthusiasm.”
NSW Waratahs head of talent identification Andrew Cleverley said he was eager to see how the five players perform at the top level.
“It’s exciting to see these players progress from the pathways programs into the Waratahs senior squad,” Cleverley said.
“We are now looking forward to seeing them challenged at a higher level after all the hard work they’ve put in since first being recognised as underage representatives.
“They have all had different journeys, but this shows it doesn’t matter where you’re from in NSW, if you perform and put the hard work in, opportunities will come.”
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