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UNSW elite athlete update

With plenty of sport happening around the country after the hiatus, it's time to check in on our UNSW elite athletes and where their teams and competitions are at.

Published on the 16 July 2020
UNSW Science student Ned Hanigan has enjoyed being back on the field with the NSW Waratahs in the Super Rugby AU
UNSW Science student Ned Hanigan has enjoyed being back on the field with the NSW Waratahs in the Super Rugby AU

Rugby

Ned Hanigan, Triston Reilly, James Ramm (NSW Waratahs), Fergus Lee-Warner (Western Force), Andrew Deegan (Melbourne Rebels), Henry Hutchison, Nick Wilkinson, Christian Poidevin (Randwick Rugby)

The NSW Waratahs' season is underway with the team taking part in Super Rugby AU after Covid-19 cut short the regular Super Rugby competition. With two games played so far, the Waratahs have had one win and one loss and are sitting third on the ladder. This weekend they take on the second placed Brumbies at ANZ Stadium. Just behind the Waratahs on the ladder are the Melbourne Rebels, who managed a draw against ladder leaders Queensland Reds in the first round. They will play bottom of the table Western Force this weekend, pitting two of our UNSW stars against each other. Meanwhile Randwick Rugby start their season this weekend and Australian Rugby 7s star Henry Hutchison joins the First Grade squad as they take on Newcastle-Hunter at Coogee Oval.

Netball

Matilda McDonell (Giants Netball), Olivia Coleman (NSW Swifts)

The Suncorp Super Netball draw was due to be released this week, however there have been further delays to be managed with the Covid-19 situation changing rapidly. The two Victorian teams were said to be heading to Sydney to set up camp, but with the new outbreak in NSW, things have become more complicated. Our two UNSW stars are continuing their training ahead of the season start on 1 August, with McDonell working hard to lay claim to more court time in 2020, while Coleman as a training partner will be keen to show she has what it takes to crack the match day squad.

AFL

Dane Rampe, James Rowbottom, Joel Amartey, Will Hayward (Sydney Swans), Kieren Briggs (GWS Giants)

While neither team has been at their best so far this year, the Swans and Giants have produced plenty of entertaining moments. The Swans lost a tight battle to reigning premiers Richmond Tigers last weekend and Commerce student James Rowbottom produced a sensational goal to get them into the match in the first quarter.

The Swans are currently in 17th place on the ladder with only two wins to their name, but the season is still young and things are tight at the bottom - a couple of wins on the trot will be enough to propel them into a more lucrative position. The Giants meanwhile are in 10th place, with three wins and three losses so far this season. They play the third-placed Brisbane Lions this weekend and will be hoping for a return to their 2019 form that saw them make it to their first ever grand final.

Cricket

Carly Leeson (Melbourne Renegades)

While cricket season feels very far away in this cold and miserable weather, Cricket Australia have sent us a ray of sunshine this week, releasing the draw for the WBBL and BBL competitions for the upcoming season. The great news for the WBBL is more games will be televised this season than ever before, following on from the momentum of the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Fans of UNSW's own Carly Leeson will have plenty of opportunities to see her play, with her Renegades team scheduled to play seven games in Sydney, across Hurstville, Blacktown and North Sydney Ovals.