By Jonathan B Geddes

WARATAHS forward Angus Scott-Young made an immediate impact at his first training run with the Western Sydney Two Blues this week.

In a coup, Scott-Young has linked up with the club and will make his Shute Shield debut in Saturday’s clash with first-placed Warringah at Eric Tweedale Stadium.

An impressive performer for the Waratahs in their disappointing Super campaign, Scott-Young will use his time at the Two Blues to press his claims for Wallaby selection as well as wanting to play his part in developing the game in Sydney’s west.   

Scott-Young is one of several Super players who will turn out in the premiership this weekend. But the rest of them are at clubs a stone’s throw from Sydney Harbour.

“Fortunately for us, he has chosen the Two Blues,” Two Blues Director of Rugby Sailosi Tagicakibau told Rugby News.

“I think just him being at training has given a big boost to the confidence of the playing group – the way he went about his business, the way he carried himself and his communication. And you could just tell he had that professionalism about him.”

In a team with a strong and proud Pacific Island connection, Scott-Young stood out in more ways than one.        

“You can imagine a blond curly-haired Queenslander coming into the west of Sydney and the boys were like ‘oh wow, look at this guy’,” Tagicakibau said. “And he is a big bloke, bigger than I initially thought.”

EYES ON THE PRIZE

SCOTT-YOUNG was impressed with what he experienced at his first Two Blues session.

“The boys were so welcoming, the facilities are really good and I’ve been chatting to Sailosi during the Super Rugby season and he’s made me feel a part of the team throughout,” Scott-Young said.

The backrower has plenty of motivation each week he pulls on the Two Blues jumper.

“The big reason why I came back to Australia was to give the Wallabies a crack this year and next year for the World Cup,” he said.

Scott-Young should be on the radar in discussions about the national squad even though he didn’t receive the recognition he deserved at the back end of the Waratahs’ campaign.

After missing the first half of the Super season due to a broken face and then a torn calf, he fought his way back to start the final seven games -and played the full 80 minutes in the final five.

“I was pretty proud of the turnaround, I thought I was playing some good, consistent rugby,” Scott-Young said. “I’d love to get picked up by the Wallabies at some point, obviously competition is high, especially in the backrow.

“Ultimately I want to keep sharpening my skills and the Two Blues is a great way to do that – get some really good game time and be in a club competition I am really excited to play in.

“I’ve heard great things about the Shute Shield coming from Brisbane but have never played in it.                  

“And if I can play a small part in growing the game out west, it would be awesome.”

He is set to start at No.6 on Saturday in what is a big game for the Two Blues to keep their finals hopes alive.

Scott-Young can expect a warm introduction to the competition, coming up against Warringah’s dynamic duo Zac and Jake Barnabas in the battle at the breakdown.

Tagicakibau said the Two Blues are trying to raise the standard of their rugby program and wants Scott-Young’s arrival to open the door for more Super players to follow his footsteps out west.

“And hopefully develop our own (players),” he said.

THE JAMES O’CONNOR FACTOR

IT was terrific work by Tagicakibau to land the club’s star recruit, utilising the strong rugby network he has developed during his distinguished career in Europe, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and with the Samoan national team.

He got in contact with Scott-Young’s agent through his friend, the Wallaby James O’Connor, and with that connection the wheels were set in motion.

In addition, Scott-Young was coached at Northampton by some guys Tagicakibau used to play against when he was in England.