Dave Porecki extends contract with Australian Rugby

Rugby Au

Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs are pleased to announce Dave Porecki has signed a two-year extension that will see him remain in Australian Rugby until at least the end of 2024.

The 29-year-old returned to Sydney ahead of the 2021 Harvey Norman Super Rugby Season and has been a standout for the Waratahs, earning call-ups to the Wallabies’ camp squads in the previous two years.

A calf injury late last season cruelled his chances of a Wallabies debut, but Porecki’s form so far in 2022 has him on Dave Rennie’s radar ahead of the eToro England Series in July.

He had previously played just the one game in sky blue back in 2015 before spending five seasons playing in the English Premiership with Saracens (2016) and London Irish (2016 – 2019).

Known for his set-piece and leadership attributes, Porecki has been a mainstay of the Waratahs starting side since returning to Australia.

NSW Waratahs hooker, Dave Porecki said: “It was a pretty easy decision for me to stay at the Waratahs, especially because of the direction we’re headed.

“I never really considered moving overseas because I wanted to continue to play with this special group. To be a part of such an exciting project and to help build something from the ground up, is the type of stuff that I value as a player.

“When you look at last year, we were rock bottom, and to see how we’re building this year and the improvements the team’s made is incredibly special.

“There is also a lot of excitement around the Wallabies, with the World Cup and the Lions tour on the horizon. Getting a taste of that setup in the camps I’ve been involved in was awesome, but I’ve got to play well and earn my spot first.”

Waratahs Head Coach Darren Coleman said: “We’re really happy to have Dave re-commit to the Waratahs for a further two years, particularly as he is well regarded and was chased both domestically and abroad.”

“Dave is our resident scrum doctor and is a real technical and knowledgeable problem solver in and around our set piece work. He’s a big part of our leadership group and has a real stabling influence on our younger team members.

“We’re really excited to help him continue his progression and push his case for Wallabies selection.”

Dave Porecki

Position: Hooker

Height: 185cm

Weight: 108kg

Born: 23 October, 1992

Place of birth: Sydney, Australia

Super Rugby debut: 2015 v Cheetahs, Bloemfontein

Super Rugby caps: 21

2022 Wallabies Home Fixtures

Wallabies v England, Saturday 2 July, 5:55pm AWST/7:55pm AEST at Optus Stadium, Perth

Wallabies v England, Saturday 9 July, 7:55pm AEST at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Wallabies v England, Saturday 16 July, 7:55pm AEST at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney

Wallabies v South Africa, Saturday 27 August, TBC at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Wallabies v South Africa, Saturday 3 September, TBC at TBC, New South Wales

Wallabies v New Zealand, Thursday 15 September, TBC at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

Tickets available to the eToro July England Series now at wallabies.rugby/tickets.

ENDS

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