By Jon Geddes

EASTWOOD coach David Telfer is crossing his fingers that Waratah and Wallaby back Mark Nawaqanitawase will turn out for the club this season before he makes the big switch to join the Sydney Roosters for two seasons in 2025.

The Test and Waratah back was the big omission from new Wallaby coach Joe Schmidt’s train-on squad picked this week.

His non-selection opens the door for the possibility of the 23-year-old  returning to the Woodies for a swansong, which would give the club’s premiership-hopes a massive boost. 

“We’d love nothing more than to have ‘Marky Mark’ wear the blue and white a couple more times before he heads over to NRL,” Telfer told Rugby News.

The coach plans to touch base with Nawaqanitawase after giving him breathing space following the end of the Waratahs’ Super Rugby campaign.

“Obviously they finished their season on (last) Friday and giving them a week or so to get over it all,” Telfer said.

Nawaqanitawase is one of a number of Super Rugby players who could potentially return to their premiership clubs.

But Shute Shield coaches are unsure which of their stars will be back.

“It would be a boost for the Shute Shield as well – to have all these quality players in the competition,” Telfer said.

“I think it’s good when the competition gets a bit stronger like that -but there is a fair bit of unknown.”

Woodies’ backrower Tim Anstee could potentially be back from the Force while Waratahs” No.10 Tane Edmed is in the Wallabies train-on squad and there had been talk of him having a stint in the NPC.     

‘PLAY WITHOUT FEAR’

VICTORIES over the Two Blues and Souths in their last two games have kept Eastwood in touch with the top six.

And that coincides with the challenge Telfer issued to his players after losing 19-18 on the bell to Gordon three weeks ago.

“Players said they were scared of making a mistake so I have challenged them to be brave,” he said.

“There has been a bit of a trend where we get a lead and almost go into our shell a little bit.

“I said ‘let’s go for it and play without fear’.”  

BLINGE ON THE WING

SLICK young winger James McGregor certainly embraced the coach’s message, making six linebreaks and playing a decisive hand in three of Eastwood’s tries  during their 29-14 win over Souths last Sunday at Forshaw Rugby Park.

“I’m a big supporter of his,” said Telfer, who coached the 19-year-old McGregor in the Eastwood Colts last year. “He has genuine X-factor.”

Telfer believes McDonald could be a version of star All Blacks’ and Chiefs back Damian McKenzie at Super Rugby.

“I have no doubt if he gets given an opportunity at that level down the road, he will take it,” Telfer said.

McGregor is currently a part-time member of the Australian Sevens squad and Telfer hopes that performance puts him on the radar of national Under-20s coach Nathan Grey.

“I know he would add value to that squad,” Telfer said.

The former Newington College student linked up in the Eastwood Colts last year with some teammates from the Australian Under 18s sevens squad.

“And he has settled in really well,” Telfer said.

“I’m a big believer as a coach that it is our job to turn Colts and players into first graders – it’s not sustainable to just buy a whole team every year.”

IN WITH A SHOT 

EASTWOOD heads into this weekend’s bye in eighth spot, but just four points out of the top six in what is an incredibly tight competition.

“One mistake in a game can be the difference between winning and losing,’’ Telfer said. “And I think that is the biggest lesson for this new side – just how  important every aspect is and how important it is to be consistent.

“When I was looking at the ladder before our game on Sunday we were down in tenth and if we’d lost we would have been in 11^th.

“And that one game pushes us up to eighth and right on the border of the six.”          

Next week’s game against Sydney University will be crucial for both sides’ finals hopes, with the Students one point ahead of Eastwood in seventh place.

“I guess it’s going to be almost a mid-season finals fixture,” Telfer said.