NSW Waratahs hooker David Porecki is ready to again go “as hard as I can for as long as I can” as he builds on his return from a calf muscle injury in a bid to help steer his side towards 2025 Super Rugby Pacific finals contention.
After a strong performance in his comeback game last Friday against the Queensland Reds, his pledge resumes with this Friday’s Round 14 home clash against the Crusaders at Allianz Stadium in Moore Park, Sydney.
Porecki made his long-awaited return in last weekend’s bruising encounter against the Queensland Reds — a match where the NSW Waratahs showed enormous defensive resilience but fell short on the scoreboard to lose 21-18.
“It was good,” said Porecki. “The medical team did a great job in getting my calf back strong. It was a shame obviously, with what happened, but it was good to finally run out.
“I was close [to playing again] the week before, but we just took a bit of a view that it was probably a bit too risky. So, we held it off a week. It was the right decision because I felt good.”
While his body held up, Porecki admitted that match fitness is still a work in progress.
“I just told myself, go as hard as I can for as long as I can, then I’ll let them know when I’m nearing empty,” he laughed after training on Tuesday.
“Physically in the collision, I felt pretty decent. “
Despite the Reds loss, the NSW Waratahs laid down a defensive marker. They completed over two hundred tackles and dominating the collision zone.
Porecki sees the positives but acknowledged the sting of a missed opportunity.
“If you put a performance like that as a group, defensively, typically you come away with a win," Porecki said.
"From that aspect, we were very proud of the group, and everyone is proud of each other with what we have done, but we need to back it up this week.
“But if we don’t capitalise on opportunities and discipline lets us down, then it’s difficult to win games in this competition.
“If you give teams in Super Rugby a lot of attacking ball, they're going to score tries.”
As the NSW Waratahs prepare to face the Crusaders, Porecki emphasised that the team's focus is firmly on their execution rather than the opposition.
“I don’t get up more for one team over another,” Porcki said.
“But it’s heightened for us because it’s essentially a must-win, and you get to challenge yourself as a group … not so much against the Crusaders, but more so on our performance.
“Can we replicate in the collision area and defensively what we did [against the Queensland Reds]?
“Can we do that back-to-back. That’s the question we will ask ourselves as a group and we will find out what we are as a group.
"That is the focus point for us this week.”
With only three rounds left before finals, the NSW Waratahs are mathematically in the hunt for a top six spot.
However, Porecki said the squad isn’t obsessing over the ladder.
“I am going out there to win and I want to win well; so, you want to win with a bonus point and the table will take care of itself.”
Porecki, yet to play under Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, acknowledged that higher honours is at stake, but remains focused on delivering for his club.
“I have only been back one week. I am taking a very short-term approach,” Porecki said.
“I want to put my best foot forward for this club so we can play finals.
"Then it’s anyone’s game.
“Test level is based on performance, and if you’re playing well and you are consistent throughout the year, then you put yourself in the window.”
Friday night’s showdown will be the NSW Waratahs’ final home game of the regular season.
Porecki has a simple message for fans who have turned out in greater numbers this year.
“We really appreciate the support,” he said.
“We’ve made Allianz a bit of a fortress and we are looking to back that up and repeat that.
“I was watching a couple of home games this year and the way the fans got around us in big defensive moments in high phases was pretty good.
“Stick with us and believe in the process of what we are going after as a club.”
Where: Allianz Stadium, Moore Park, Sydney
When: Friday, 16 May, 2025
Kick-off: 7.35 pm (AEST)
For tickets to the game via Ticketek, click HERE
The game will be televised LIVE on Stan Sport - The Home of Rugby
