SATURDAY JULY 21 2018 SPORT 69 Fitzy racks up 50 for Waratahs A collision JULIAN LINDEN IT’S taken a long time but Damien Fitzpatrick is finally about to earn his 50th cap for the Waratahs. of course While most would have given up after the horrendous injuries and setbacks the stocky hooker has suffered, Fitzpatrick has not only persevered but also thrived. At 29, he’s playing some of his best footy and is one of just a inevitable handful of players to have start- ed in every game this year. “To get 50 games for my state, I only ever as a kid dreamt to play one, so to get 50 is in- credible,” he said. Fitzpatrick made his debut for the Tahs back in 2009 but was immediately plagued by knee problems, having three operations in the next five sea- sons. He left once, spending three years in France, until Mi- chael Cheika called him in 2016 and offered him a second stint with NSW, so he jumped at the chance. Few will be under more pres- sure in tonight’s quarter-final than Fitzpatrick. Reserve hook- er Tolu Latu, who played for Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson (main); Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger (below) and the duo during their playing days (above) Picture: GETTY Australia in all three Tests against Ireland, is pushing hard for a start in the Waratahs and Coaches who know each other inside out lock horns in huge clash Fitzpatrick struggled with his lineout throwing in last week’s JULIAN LINDEN nurseries. Seven years older, Super Rugby titles together in “I was in the sort of position loss to ACT. Gibson was a senior when 2000 and 2002. They also where Aaron eventually took “I take it very personally, I Mauger enrolled at the school, played together for the All my place and rightly so,” Gib- spend an awful lot of time on it. WARATAHS coach Daryl but their shared passion for Blacks and when they finished son said. “Even when he was a It’s one of my major roles,” Fitz- Gibson and his Highlanders rugby meant they moved in the their careers in New Zealand, kid, I just remember him as in- patrick said. “We hope last week WARATAHSV counterpart Aaron Mauger just both ended up at Leicester. credibly talented, mature for was just a speed bump because HIGHLANDERS can’t seem to escape each “Gibbo’s a top bloke and his age and a real leader.” that’s one of the parts of our ALLIANZ STADIUM, TONIGHT 8.05PM other. was an awesome mentor to It’s no surprise that both game that’s been functioning Whether by accident or de- me,” Mauger said. “I was re- turned their hands to coaching really well and we want to get Israel Folau 15 Ben Smith sign, their worlds just keep ally lucky in my early years after their playing careers Alex Newsome 14 Waisake Naholo back to that.” colliding. They’ve got his- to work under someone in ended. And once again, Mau- Curtis Rona 13 Rob Thompson NSW easily beat the High- Kurtley Beale 12 Teihorangi Walden tory, a long history, but my position who had all ger took his cue from Gibson. landers during the season but Taqele Naiyaravoro 11 Tevita Li theirs is one bonded by those values so I really “I was fortunate enough to there were some mitigating cir- Bernard Foley 10 Lima Sopoaga shared experiences learnt a lot from him. watch Daryl coach when I fin- cumstances, with the New Zea- Nick Phipps 9 Aaron Smith and deep mutual re- “I was probably the ished my own playing career landers forced to play most of Michael Wells 8 Luke Whitelock spect. Tonight, guy who was always snap- and transitioned into coaching the match when wing Tevita Will Miller 7 James Lentjes t h e y ’ l l ping at his heels but guys and was equally impressed Nabura was red-carded. Ned Hanigan 6 Liam Squire square off like Gibbo really helped with the influence that he was Highlanders coach Aaron Rob Simmons 5 Tom Franklin as opponents, both des- nurse me into the player I be- having on the players,” Mauger Mauger said his team would not Jed Holloway 4 Jackson Hemopo perate to win, both plotting to came through those years by said. make the same mistake. Sekope Kepu 3 Tyrel Lomax outsmart each other, but when being good role models and “Gibbo’s always been very “All those experiences, when Damien Fitzpatrick 2 Liam Coltman the game’s over, they’ll go back s a m e circles. good people.” calm and measured and never you got through a little bit of Tom Robertson 1 Dan Lienert-Brown to being friends, just as they al- Gibson was a teenage prod- Despite their strong ties, lets too much fluster him and hardship, are good for us and REPLACEMENTS ways have. igy, picked to play for Canter- Gibson and Mauger often that’s one of the things he has the way this team responds is Tolu Latu 16 Ash Dixon “I’ve known Aaron since we bury while he was still in found themselves competing been able to pass on.” normally in a very positive H Johnson-Holmes 17 Aki Seiuli were kids. We went to the same school. Mauger watched and for the same position. Mauger They share a common phil- way,” Mauger said. “We’ve Paddy Ryan 18 Kalolo Tuiloma school,” Gibson told the NT studied Gibson closely, partly started at inside centre in the osophy on rugby, which is re- learnt from that and the first Tom Staniforth 19 Shannon Frizell News. because they both played in- 2002 Super Rugby final while flected in the way the Waratahs thing is to make sure our disci- Brad Wilkin20Elliot Dixon “The great thing about side centre, but also because he Gibson was on the bench. and Highlanders play the pline is really good so we don’t Jake Gordon 21 Kayne Hammington rugby, regardless of what level admired his approach to the Mauger made his Test game. “We both try to play very put ourselves in that situation Cam Clark 22 Josh Ioane you play at, is that your team- game, so he never strayed too debut for the All Blacks in 2001. positive rugby with the ball in Bryce Hegarty 23 Matt Faddes and, as you’ve seen, when this mates are always your mates.” far behind. The following year, Gibson hand, use the ball, so I see just a team’s under the pump there’s a The pair first crossed paths When Mauger finished played the last of his 19 tests, continuation of the things that TAB Tahs $2.15, Highlanders $1.70 lot of grit, there’s a lot of heart at Christchurch Boys High, one school, he teamed up with Gib- while Mauger went on to make we experienced as players,” TV Live on Fox Sports and there’s a lot of commitment of New Zealand’s great rugby son at the Crusaders, winning 77 appearances. Gibson said. to what we’re about.” Crusaders boss blessed with embarrassment of riches DANIEL GILHOOLY what shapes as the most lop- straight games. Coach Robert- the Blues game early but have pionship mode,” Robertson said. sided of the quarter-finals. The son has most of a swag of All been cleared to start. “You have to make sure the next Durban-based Sharks, who Blacks at his disposal, with the Twelve of the starting team person is ready and we’ve done a SCOTT Robertson doesn’t hide snuck into eighth place on exception of prop Joe Moody have played for New Zealand. lot of work around that.” from the fact he’s drowning in points differential ahead of the (knee). An all-All Blacks tight The bench features two more In a quirk of the competition, talent after naming a fearsome Melbourne Rebels, face a series five is nevertheless named, with All Blacks, along with Wallabies the teams haven’t met for more Crusaders team for their Super of immense obstacles. hooker Codie Taylor and prop flanker Pete Samu. There’s no than two years and it’s 2014 since Rugby play-offs clash with the First is travel, so often a crip- Owen Franks both returning to room in the 23 for accomplished they last clashed in Christ- Sharks. pling impediment in the finals. the team who hammered the All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg, church. The Sharks snared a re- International class will ooze Then there’s a miserable 1-11 Blues 54-17. who makes way for David Hav- markable victory that year, from the starting XV, the reserve win-loss record in Christchurch All Blacks skipper Kieran ili. overcoming an early red card to bench and even the grandstand and the form of the defending Read (wrist) and inside centre “We have got depth and you Springboks Jean Deysel to tri- Crusader Kieran Read in Christchurch on Saturday for champions, who have won 12 Ryan Crotty (thumb) both left need it when you’re in cham- umph 30-25. V1 - NTNE01Z01MA.