By Jonathan B Geddes

AN 18-year-old halfback announced himself as a future star in Warringah’s 47-19 win over Northern Suburbs at Pittwater Rugby Park on Saturday.

Rats’ Colt Sam Blank made the most of the opportunity given to him by coach Josh Holmes with his first run in the Shute Shield. 

The 2024 Australian Under-18 representative who is in Waratahs’ Academy produced an impressive debut, not only providing slick service to his backline, but also displaying real calmness and confidence in his play.

Blank earlier in the day played half a game with Warringah’s competition leading Colts before sitting on the bench for first grade. He took the field a bit earlier than expected after 22 minutes when regular No.9 Beh Fuhuniu came off with a shoulder injury.

“It was so good,” Blank told Rugby News after the game when he was mobbed by his Colts teammates. “It was a bit faster than normal and a bit more physical, but I loved it and it was such a good experience.”

A graduate of the strong rugby nursery St Augustine’s College in Brookvale, he revealed that just two minutes after kick-off Rats’ assistant coach Mark Gerrard told him Fuhuniu had hurt his shoulder.

“I was like ‘oh gee’, I didn’t even think I would play five minutes,”  Blank admitted.

He said when he went on the other players like skipper Ben Marr and five-eighth Coby Miln really helped him settle into his role.

“They were all telling me to just play my game, they have been so good, so I just went out there and did what I usually do,” he said.

At the start of this year Blank could never have imagined he would be playing first grade in his first year out of school.

“No way, I was happy just with Colts,” he said.

 COACH’S CONFIDENCE 

HOLMES had no doubts that Blank would handle the assignment.

And the coach knows first-hand the challenge he faced, also making his first grade debut when he was 18.      

“We decided to bring Sammy in this week and he did some training with us,” Holmes said.  “He’s been going really well in Colts and we were 100 per cent confident … and that’s why we put him on the bench.

“Ben got a bit of a whack on his shoulder and I thought Sammy  came on and did an outstanding job. It shows what kind of player he is and it’s really good for him.”  

Seeing Blank have a run in second grade the previous week against Easts reassured Holmes he was ready to take the further step.

“He’s just got a great head on his shoulders and doesn’t get fazed by too much,” he said.

 “The boys got around him all week and they were really good and supported him.”

ALL IN THE FAMILY 

THE proudest spectator at Rat Park was Blank’s dad Tim.

“It was just an amazing day,” Tim said. “He has worked really hard and he deserves it.

“I am really  happy for him.”

He admitted he is always nervous as Sam is a No.9 who handles the ball all the time and everyone looks at him.

“But he was prepared and is a tough little halfback and I wasn’t too worried about the physicality,” he said.

Sam’s twin brother Charlie is a No.7 and also a key member of Warringah’s first grade Colts.    

RUGBY PACEMAKERS

HOLMES described Warringah’s performance as their best so far this season.

They were on fire in the first half and raced to a 33-0 lead at one point off the back of some enterprising and scintillating rugby for which Norths had no answer in that opening stanza. 

“That was the best we have started all year and came out with really good intent,” Holmes said. “I was really happy with the pace we played at and I thought the boys were outstanding in that first 40.”     

Backrower Jake Barnabas was again terrific for Warringah with his amazing work rate in both attack and defence.

“And I thought (lock) Phil Potgieter was outstanding,” Holmes said. “He played for 80 minutes, he whacked blokes, got a couple of steals  and just wanted to be in the thick of  the stuff. Everything he did was really good.”