The NSW Waratahs have signed the son of an Olympic gold medallist to bolster their lock stocks for the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Sydney University’s Zac Von Appen has joined the Waratahs on a wider training squad contract after playing a key role in the students’ run to Saturday’s Shute Shield final.
He is the son of kayaking great Mario Von Appen, who won gold for Germany at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
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Von Appen’s mother also represented Australia as a kayaker at the world championships while the youngster rowed for Australia at the under-23 world championships.
“It’s a real privilege for me to join the Waratahs program and something that I don’t take for granted,” Von Appen said.
“During my time rowing I would train twice a day, six times a week, and worked at a bottle shop to support myself.
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“To be able to join the program on a fulltime basis and dedicate myself to the team I’ve supported since I was a kid is incredibly special to myself and my family.
“I cannot wait to get stuck in.”
The Waratahs also landed Taleni Seu and Zane Marolt on a second row signing spree.
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New Zealander Seu has played 44 Super Rugby games for the Chiefs, partly under now Wallabies coach Dave Rennie.
The 201cm, 119kg powerhouse has more recently been playing in Japan for Toyota Industries Shuttles.
“We needed to bolster our second row stocks in the squad, and I’m really excited with the balance we have achieved with the arrival of these three recruits,” Waratahs coach Darren Coleman said.
“Taleni will help us with our short term needs with his experience, size, and physicality while with Zane and Zac, we are keeping one eye on the future as they are a couple of good long term prospects.
“We feel all three will make a great contribution to our squad ahead of our 2023 Super Rugby campaign.”
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