• • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • Technorati
  • Reddit
  • Stumble Upon
  • Furl

The Waratahs have taken another step towards completing their 2011 Super Rugby roster with the signing of Australian Sevens star Brackin Karauria-Henry on a two-year contract.

After joining the Brumbies Academy this season, a spate of injuries saw Karauria-Henry make his Super 14 debut off the bench in front of a crowd of 40,271 at Homebush. The following week he earned his first run-on cap against the Queensland Reds in Canberra.

However it is on the Sevens circuit where he has made his biggest name this year after developing into one of Australia’s most influential players. Karauria-Henry finished the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series with 30 tries to be Australia’s leading tryscorer and the sixth-highest tryscorer overall.

His 150 points also placed him as Australia’s second-highest pointscorer, and inside the top 15 overall.

He was a pivotal figure in Australia's stunning end to the season, which saw them lift their first Cup win in eight years in London, before finishing runners-up a week later in Edinburgh.

“This time last year I was in a cast with a broken hand and didn’t quite know what was next in terms of footy, so to be signing a Super Rugby contract twelve months later is really exciting,” said Karauria-Henry. “I really enjoyed my time in Canberra, but this is a fantastic opportunity to come back to Sydney where I’ve lived now for four or five years and push for a spot in the Waratahs side.

“There’s obviously a strong backline here at NSW so it will be hard work, but I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”

Having finished the IRB Sevens series with the Australian team in Scotland two weeks ago, Karauria-Henry is now turning his attention back to the 15-man game and attempting to win a long-awaited premiership with Southern Districts.

“I owe a lot to Souths,” said Karauria-Henry. “They gave me a chance after I broke my hand last year, and from that the opportunities with the Brumbies, the Sevens team and the Waratahs have followed.

“The guys have been doing a great job to be undefeated after nine weeks so hopefully I can be a part of a successful campaign as we go into the back end of the season.”