By Jonathan B Geddes

THE Waratahs received some good news hours after Saturday’s loss to Fijian Drua with winger Darby Lancaster making an impressive return to the field in Eastern Suburbs’ 27-16 win over Northern Suburbs.

He and his NSW No.10 teammate Jack Bowen both made big impacts in the grand final rematch at North Sydney Oval.

Their performances on the weekend will give NSW coach Dan McKeller plenty to think about ahead of his side’s next massive game against the Brumbies on Saturday week. The manner of the Tahs’ disappointing 28-14 loss to the Drua means team selections will be come under the microscope.

Lancaster had missed the Waratahs’ previous two games against Moana Pasifika and the Chiefs after suffering concussion against the Hurricanes.

“I’m feeling  good now so I’m pretty keen to get back into things again,” Lancaster told Rugby News. 

“I always love coming back to play for Easts, I’ve  been here for a couple of years now so I’m really connected to the club,” he said  “To get a win’s awesome so I’m very happy.

“Injuries come and go and you have good periods and bad periods – it’s all about trying to turn up as much as you can and play well every time you step onto the field.”   

Lancaster set up a try for fullback Cooper Whiteside and almost scored one himself, but was denied by desperate Norths’ defence as he dived over in the corner.   

 BEN’S EASTER BONUS            

EASTS coach Ben Batger was delighted to have the Waratahs’ pair back and said  they always return to Easts with a really good attitude. 

“They just have points in them,” he said. “They are quality players and there in no doubt good players win football games.

“They are better than most players, certainly at Shute Shield level, and they should probably be playing a lot more Super Rugby.

“We want them to perform well here so they can return to the Waratahs.”

Batger said Lancaster made metres when he carried the ball.

“He is such a threat -very hard to tackle, very fast and gets involved in the game,” he said.

 Bowen was the midfield general for the 50 minutes he was on the field.

“Jack gives you a triple threat – he can kick, he can pass, he can run,” he said.

 TAKING THE POINTS     

WHILE there were plenty of errors from both sides, Batger’s side walked off the field with all the Easter chocolates.

“It’s a hard place to win North Sydney Oval, so to come away with maximum points, we’ll take it,” he said.

With a bit turnover in personal, the defending premiers are still a work in progress.

There were only six  players back from last year’s grand final team, including Lancaster and Bowen, which beat Norths 36-35 in the thrilling premiership decider.

 “We are certainly trying hard, the polish isn’t there,” Batger said. ”I’m asking for a 100 per cent effort and they are giving that at the moment.

“We focussed on defence, we thought we were a good attacking side naturally …so we need to keep doing that and building resilience in our defence.”

TOUGHER THAN TOUGH

BESIDES the Super Rugby duo, Batger was very  happy with the efforts by some of Easts’ young guns.

No.13 Otto Serfontein, who was in the  Colts last year, and lock Jack Tougher Wells, in his first year of first grade, lived up to his name with his performance.

“He got a bad cut (on his forehead) early that was almost down to the bone and he went back on and played 70 minutes,” Batger said.

Lock Jacob Veiru is still eligible for Colts and was given a taste of first grade near the end of the game.

Batger said No.9 Jonny Van der Velde has stepped up from third grade last year and done a really good job, rewarded with Easts’ final try.