NSW Waratahs coach Rob Penney has praised the inspirational story of halfback Jack Grant as the part-time designer prepares to step up and fill the void left by injured captain Jake Gordon.
Gordon limped off during their 41-7 loss to the Reds in the opening round of the Super Rugby AU season, with scans confirming a syndesmosis injury.
This has put the son of former Wallaby and Balmain Tiger James Grant in line for a starting spot, a remarkable achievement given his rapid development.
After stints in the NRC and Japan, the 27-year-old was handed a Super Rugby contract after years of strong showings for Easts in the Shute Shield, leading the try-scorers list in 2019.
This comes as Grant juggled rugby commitments alongside his lifestyle brand North Bondi Motorino, which started out as a 'social club for a group of mates who had just got bike licences' according to their website.
With Grant set to take the reins of the Waratahs side for the immediate future, Penney believes that the call-up is a credit to his incredible perseverance and sacrifice.
“Jack’s one of the real success stories of a young guy who has persevered and stayed in a really good club environment and worked his way through and is really reaping the rewards of it,” Penney said.
“He’s not only a very mature player so we have no issues with his decision-making around the game but also a great athlete. He’s quick, got a lovely pass and he has a good kicking game, all the things you need in a halfback.
“It’s a great credit to his perseverance that he’s been now able to get an opportunity to get amongst it.”
His starting debut will be a difficult match-up as the Waratahs head to the ACT to face the defending premiers Brumbies, who opened their campaign with a 27-11 win over the Western Force in Perth.
“I think they have gone up another level than last year,” Penney said on the Brumbies.
“They wouldn’t have been totally happy with their performance but it’s a long way to go to travel and that takes it out of you.
“I thought they were a few degrees hotter than they were last year so they will be really challenging.”
Grant's selection continues the Waratahs policy of promoting players through the Shute Shield, with the likes of Tane Edmed (Eastwood) and Carlo Tizzano (West Harbour) impressing last week in the loss.
Penney is looking to continue this development heading forward, admitting that he prefers his players coming through and developing in the 'world-class' club competition.
“The Shute Shield is a world-class competition,” he said.
“The boys coming out of it are well prepared and coached. Spending time in a competition like the Shute Shield is really important.
"There’s a lot of our boys who haven’t played much in it, if any. Even some of the boys who debuted for the Waratahs last year didn’t play Shute Shield and we’d like to think that will be an anomaly and not going to happen much in the future.
“Getting able to have regular playing time, particularly in those key decision-making positions in the halves has immense value and the Shute Shield is a great competition to do it in."