Australia international Jack Maddocks makes Waratahs switch

Waratahs have confirmed the signing of Australia international Jack Maddocks from Super Rugby rivals Melbourne Rebels ahead of the 2020 season.

Maddocks started his professional rugby career with National Rugby Championship side Melbourne Rising in 2017 and in the same year, he went on to make his Super Rugby debut for Rebels. He has so far featured in 34 Super Rugby games in which he scored 19 tries.

“It’s something that has been discussed for a while so to have it sorted and be back home is great,” Maddocks told the official website of Waratahs.

“New South Wales is home for me, my family are here, it’s where I started playing rugby and it’s where I want to continue my career – being involved with both the [NSW] Waratahs and Eastern Suburbs.

“From all reports it’s a great environment that Rob [Penney] and the staff have created over the pre-season and one I’m excited to be a part of.

“I’d like to thank everyone at the [NSW] Waratahs and the Rebels for making this move possible.”

Having been part of Australia Under 20 side in 2016, Maddocks went on to make his Test debut for the Wallabies in 2018 and has featured in seven games with all of it coming in the same year.

“First and foremost, Jack is a wonderfully talented player,” added Waratahs head coach Rob Penney.

“When the opportunity arose to bring him back [to NSW] it was one I was really keen on for a number of reasons.

“Jack can play right across the backline, he’s got speed, skill and creativity with the ball in hand.

“Bringing him back gives us a range of options in the way we’d like to set up. I’m looking forward to seeing him on the training pitch over the next few weeks as he starts to embed himself into the combinations we’ve established over pre-season.”

Waratahs will kick-start the 2020 Super Rugby season with a clash against Crusaders on 1st February at Trafalgar Park.