Former New Zealand Under 20s hooker JP Sauni is the newest recruit for the NSW Waratahs after signing with the franchise for 2018.
Sauni’s signing secures a group of young, up and coming front-rowers alongside Harry Johnson-Holmes, Shambeckler Vui and Cody Walker who have the opportunity to be mentored by current Wallabies Tom Robertson and Sekope Kepu.
20-year-old Sauni is no stranger to the Australian rugby landscape after moving to Melbourne with his family in 2010 and finishing his schooling at Hallam Senior College in the Victorian capital.
And it didn’t take him long to make an impression, playing his way into the Melbourne Rebels Under 20s side in 2016.
He returned to New Zealand the same year and after an impressive season with the Auckland Under 20 side, he forced his way into the New Zealand Under 20 team for the Junior World Championship in Georgia earlier this year. Ironically, his new Waratahs team mates Harry Johnson-Holmes, Vui and Walker were in the Australian team.
Sauni said: “I had no hesitation in moving to Sydney because the Waratahs offered me the best opportunity to develop my game. I am on a massive learning experience but I am prepared to do whatever it takes to play international rugby.”
Simon Cron, former Australian Under 20s head coach and now NSW Waratahs forwards coach, speaks highly of Sauni.
“In our first meeting with JP we were really impressed by his professional approach to everything that he does. He is a great addition to the team and will provide added competition for the No. 2 jersey. He is still young but has shown that he is a talented player and I cannot wait to help him fulfil that potential,” Cron said.
Sauni isn’t the only rugby player in his family and grew up hearing about his uncle Filipo Saena’s achievements for Manu Samoa.
“He played for Samoa at the 1991 Rugby World Cup and I think hearing about his career inspired me to one day play international rugby as well. He has had a massive influence on me, especially when my weight ballooned to nearly 150kg a couple of years back. He motivated me to eat well, to start training, to be disciplined and to stay focused.”
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