Growing up in Sydney and attending Scots college in the Eastern Suburbs, Jack Maddocks had aspirations of bringing up a half century for the Australian Test cricket side but will instead notch the same milestone in Super Rugby games, when the Waratahs take on the Reds at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
Maddocks, a former first-grade cricketer on scholarship with Sydney University, made the permanent switch to rugby after an impressive campaign for Australia at the 2016 World Rugby Championships led to a contract at the Melbourne Rebels.
Maddocks would make his Super Rugby debut for the Rebels in 2017 against the Blues, but his breakout season was in 2018 where he scored nine tries in 15 matches ending the season as the club’s leading try scorer.
Maddocks continued his strong form in 2019 for the Rebels scoring ten tries in 14 matches, but returned home to Sydney a year later, securing a move to join the NSW Waratahs ahead of their 2020 campaign.
Maddocks when asked at Wednesday’s media call was unaware of the impending milestone.
“Is it 50 for me? Oh wow, Raise the bat!” he said.
“It doesn’t feel like 50 at all, it was only 2017 when I played my first.
“I guess that’s a bit of a lesson for the guys who are making their debut this weekend, it comes around so quickly, so you have to make the most of your opportunities.
“I’m playing my 50th this weekend and I’ve enjoyed all of them here and at the Rebels, so here’s to 50 more.”
Looking ahead to the Reds, Maddocks said the Waratahs backs are aiming to play entertaining rugby in 2021.
“We have spoken about it this year that we want to be a backline that plays all areas of the field. We want to be exciting, spread the ball and we don’t want to play with any fear”
“And as a back that’s what you want to hear, the shackles are off.
“We’re pretty keen to get out there and rip in.”
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