Rookie Volavola In Trial By Fire Against Hero Carter
by Brendan Bradford -
Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has selected 22-year-old playmaker Ben Volavola to start at flyhalf against a star-studded Canterbury Crusaders outfit tomorrow night and says he has no doubts about the Southern Districts rookie’s ability to step up for the big game.
“He’s a very natural, instinctive player and although he’s only very young and a few months into the program as a professional player, the way he has responded has been surprisingly good,” said Cheika.
Volavola, who was a stand-out in Southern Districts’ run to the Shute Shield Grand Final last year, was signed by the Waratahs during the off-season as back-up to Berrick Barnes and Bernard Foley, who have both been ruled out through injury. The fleet footed Volavola counts his Crusaders playmaking counterpart, Dan Carter as one of his