By Jonathan B Geddes

DEFENDING premiers Eastern Suburbs have pulled off a coup by catching one of Australian rugby’s fastest players as their Shute Shield campaign gains momentum.

Australian Sevens flyer Henry Palmer, who runs 100m in the range of sub 10.5s, had a memorable introduction to first grade with the Beasties on the wing in last Saturday’s 40-36 win over Sydney University crossing for two tries.

The second was an intercept when the 21-year-old showed great awareness and sprinted 70m to score the try that ended up securing Easts their victory.

“It was a very good debut and he did a couple of other things that were quite impressive as well,” Easts coach Ben Batger told Rugby News.

Palmer’s blistering pace is a rare and much sought after weapon in a rugby player.

As Batger said: “I heard about his blinding speed and you can’t coach speed.”    

Palmer could not have asked for a better introduction to the Shute Shield.

“I was stoked, obviously playing first grade for the first time in a new comp is always a bit nerve-wracking but it was good to get a few early touches and have an influence on the game,” he said.

THE WALLABY DREAM   

PALMER also plans to use the rest of the season as an audition to win a Super Rugby contract if the opportunity presents itself.

“I’m definitely not saying no to sevens … but the end goal would be play for the Wallabies, home World Cup and all that,” he said. “Every kid grows up wanting to play for the Wallabies.

“Hopefully I can use this season to show I am one of the best back three players in Australia.”  

Palmer went into the Brumbies system straight out of school for three years, but with so much strength in their back three it was suggested he go to the sevens to further develop in  their professional environment.

After recently moving to Sydney Palmer, was looking to join a competitive premiership club and had a connection to Easts through his Aussie Sevens teammates Henry Paterson and Sid Harvey.

Then came his defining meeting with Batger.

“Ben was so enthusiastic for me to go to Easts it pretty much sealed the deal to go there,” Palmer said. “He is an awesome coach and he has been teaching me heaps.”                  

ON A WING AND A DARE 

THE super quick Palmer was a missing piece of the jigsaw Batger was looking to fill at Easts’ this season.

“When you hear about someone with a bit of speed you tend to listen,” he said.

“We were lacking a bit of that and we found that out last year. When we had Darby (Lancaster, Waratahs winger) back it was a big difference.”

As coach, Batger is excited about the untapped potential he sees in Palmer’s game.

“He is an ambitious young man and being a former outside back I thought I could help him hopefully get to the next level one day,” he said.

“I did homework on him, found out from a lot of boys in the sevens that he is a good young fella, so we got him to the club and he has been excellent so far.

“Henry is eager to learn and will get better throughout the year because he obviously hasn’t played a lot of 15s recently due to being involved in the sevens.

“So he has a high ceiling.”  

Batger showed his coaching experience by not rushing his new recruit, easing him into the Easts’ systems and 15s rugby again.

“He played three games in twos so he didn’t get chucked straight in,” he said.

ON THE BALL

EASTS are currently in third spot on the ladder behind Warringah and the Wildfires.

After a big turnover in personnel this season, the team is starting to get back into a rhythm after six rounds as Batger has adapted to the changed circumstances.

“Things are starting to click,” Batger said. “We put a lot of effort into our defence which was very good and now we are putting a  bit more into attack.

“In the last couple of weeks we scored 100 points so it is starting to flow and that’s a bit to do with cohesion and getting to know a new style.

“We are not quite as big and bruising as we were last year – we are trying to be a little bit more skilful and use the ball a bit more.”

Speaking of big and bruising, Batger will be without skipper Josh Bokser for the next three games after he was send off for punching in the win over University. His good record saved him from a six-week ban.

“He was provoked, but we are better than that and he knows he did the wrong thing and is disappointed,” his coach said.     

Easts play West Harbour at Concord Oval on Saturday.