Warringah won just four matches in 2023 and finished a disappointing 11th. But while times were tough in the grade program, the club’s colts program, run by newly appointed first grade coach Josh Holmes, went from strength to strength. 

After coaching Warringah to a first colts premiership last year, the former Rats halfback has taken on the top job and has been hard at work over summer reshaping the Warringah playing roster. 

Overview with Josh Holmes: 

“Things are looking pretty good at the moment. We had a good February and had some success with our Sevens side at Hamilton and Kiama,” Holmes told Rugby News. 

“We also played a trial against the Waratahs before their season kicked off and drew with them 7-7 in the half we played, which was a good result. 

“The excitement from winning Sevens tournaments and getting a taste of footy again through trials has given the boys a big boost. There’s a real buzz around the place at the moment and everyone seems to be really enjoying their time at Rat Park which is great to see. 

“To be honest, we haven’t really looked at what happened last year. That’s over now and really we’ve just been focussed on driving our standards moving forward. 

“That’s creating a lot of competitiveness within the squad, which is great, because we’ve got really good depth across the club.

“Our colts had a great year last year but they’ve gone from being the big fish back to being the small fish in the pond. They’ve all taken that on as a challenge though and seem to be enjoying trying to earn a spot in the highest grade possible. 

“It’s a big step up, but they’ve come from a successful program and have maintained their high standard of training. 

“That’s been good for the older boys as well because it puts a bit of pressure on them to match the younger guys. It’s lifting everyone up.”

2023: 11th (4 wins, 14 losses)

Ins: Zac Barnabas (Manly), Chlayton Frans (Hunter), Tonga Tangitau (Two Blues), Hamish Ferguson (Scotland), Travis Gifford (Hunter), Dane Terekia (Two Blues), Josh Roberts (Two Blues), Coby Miln (Randwick), Komiti Tuilagi (Eastwood), Ben Woollett (returning, UK), Penitoa Faingaanuku (Two Blues) Alex Castle (UCT Tigers, South Africa), Ben Fuhinui (North Harbour, New Zealand), Jayden Pearce (Canterbury, New Zealand), Harry Jones (returning), Tristan Leffers (Two Blues), Dan Hill (Manly), Wayne Borsack (Eastwood), Tom Jarrett (Manly, NRL), Jayden Lynch (Western Force), Adrian Brown (Eastwood).

Outs: Rowan Frostwick (Norths), Hugh Margin (Gordon), Witika Rees-Hatu (Gordon). 

What sort of rugby will we see from Warringah this year?

“When the Rats are playing their best, they are playing a free flowing game, they back themselves to score from anywhere and they front up and be physical in defence,” Holmes said proudly. 

“Our mentality is that we want to be the most skilful team in the competition that can punish teams from anywhere and we’ve got guys in our backline that can do that. 

“We’re now working on our physicality and bringing other elements to our game. 

“I’m pretty excited to add a guy like Zac Barnabas to our team, we’re going to be able to turn the ball over, but we also need to have that physical edge. 

“It’s up to us to prove to everyone else that we can be that sort of team but that’s what we’re working towards.”

Players to watch:

“Ben Woollett coming back is a big plus for us. He left for the UK because there weren’t any opportunities for him in Australia at the time. 

“He’s come back to prove a point and I really think he’s good enough and should be playing Super Rugby. 

“We’ve picked up a young forward from the Two Blues named Dane Terekia. He’s been training really hard, he’s got big ambitions and I think he’s going to turn plenty of heads this season. 

“He runs the ball hard, he can play second row or anywhere in the back row and I think he’s in for a big year.”

Which two teams will play in this year’s grand final and why? 

“I’m picking a Warringah v Randwick grand final. I think Randwick set the benchmark last year with how solid they were right across the grades and I think everyone will be chasing that sort of depth this year.

“There’s something about having success throughout the day that can really lift a first grade side. 

“Getting to the ground in the morning and watching fours win, then thirds and seconds, it lifts everyone and that helps to build a really strong culture where winning becomes a habit. 

“Hoilsey is a really good coach and they played a good brand of rugby last year.

“If you want to be the best though you’ve got to beat the best, so it’s an exciting challenge for us.”