Waratahs U19s hooker Charlie O’Kane is confident his side can bounce back from last weekend’s disappointing loss against the Brumbies at Rat Park and beat the Force this weekend to book a spot in the Super 19s decider. 

The Tahs’ received a big wake up call last weekend, after winning their opening two games, with the Brumbies running in 29 points to beat the home side comfortably. 

“I think we just lacked a bit of energy in all aspects of our game. We’d trained pretty flat all week and probably just got the result we deserved,” O’Kane said earlier this week. 

“But it is what it is, that’s footy and we can’t change the result. All we can do is make sure we don’t play like that again.

“We’d love to get the chance to make up for it if we get to play them again. The boys are pretty filthy, it was a pretty terrible game from us. We know we’re way better than that, so now we’ve got to bounce back and win this weekend to get a chance to play the Brumbies again.”

In his first year our of schools, Joeys’ graduate O’Kane won a colts’ premiership with Easts before joining the Waratahs’ 19s program. 

But the hooker is still relatively new to the front row. 

O’Kane spent most of the younger years playing rugby league, but saw the light towards the backend of his schooling days and looks to getting more and more comfortable in the No.2 jersey with every match he plays. 

“Set piece is probably my biggest focus, particularly my lineout throwing. 

“At scrum time, I do my best not to get pumped, because I’m a smaller hooker, then I think I rely on my fitness to try to be present as much as possible around the park.

“In terms of my throw, the speed and the accuracy you need at this level is a big step up.

“At club level, you can get away with an average throw or two but if you do that at this level, that’s two more opportunities you’re giving the other team.

“I only started playing hooker last year so I’ve still got a lot of learning to do. My old man was a hooker, so he’s been teaching me a lot but I’ve still got a long way to go.”

The Waratahs 19s fly to Perth on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s clash against the Force and must win to guarantee a spot in the final, against the Brumbies at Ballymore on November 3. 

We really want another crack at the Brumbies but we’ve got to make sure we stay focussed and perform well in Perth this weekend.