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Shatz extends till 2014
Former St.George Queensland Reds Rookie of the Year and exciting 21-year-old backrower Jake Schatz has extended his contract with Queensland Rugby through to the end of 2014.
Schatz was already under contract for 2012 but has extended his deal for a further two seasons after impressing coaches during last year’s historic Super Rugby triumph and on the training paddock since.
Schatz was a strong contributor in his seven appearances during the Reds championship-winning 2011 campaign and was voted by coaches as the team’s best preseason training performer prior to the Christmas break.
“I’ve been extremely pleased with the standard of preseason training from the entire squad so far but no one has made more of an impact than Jake and we’re confident his hard work will pay dividends throughout the course of the year,” Reds coach Ewen McKenzie said.
“He has shown maturity beyond his years since making his debut in 2010 and has not only impressed us with his numerous physical attributes, but also with his calm approach to the game and the poise he continues to show in completing every task we’ve given him.
“There is no doubting his best position is at number eight but he has handled the challenges of playing on both sides of the scrum admirably in the past and his versatility will continue to be a major asset for the team as we strive to win another title.”
Schatz said he was thrilled to extend his time with the Reds for at least a further three years.
“I’ve been involved in the system since I was a junior and there is no place I’d rather continue my football than at the Reds. It’s a great place to be around and the environment here is where I’m confident I’ll continue to make further strides in my game,” Schatz said.
“Last season was exciting for both me personally and the team but all the players are excited for what’s ahead and to enjoy more success together as a group.
“Competition for positions will be fierce but I’ll just continue to put my head down and work hard and make sure I’m ready for an opportunity when it presents itself.”
Since earning his debut against the Crusaders in February 2010, Schatz has made his mark at the elite level with his ability at the breakdown and in defence rewarded with at least one starting berth at all three backrower positions.
In his debut season Schatz was selected to start at least one match at number eight, openside flanker and blindside flanker and was honoured with the team’s 2010 Rookie of the Year award at their Gala Dinner.
Such is the potential of Schatz that during the 2010 season he appeared on nine occasions for the Reds despite still being a member of the QAS Reds Academy.
Schatz has displayed tremendous leadership traits and was named captain of a representative Queensland XV team during an end-of-season encounter with Canada late in 2011.
Only a year earlier, Schatz was named captain of the Australian Under 20s team for the 2010 Junior World Championships in Argentina.
Schatz initially got his first taste with the Reds when selected on their development tour of Ireland and France in late 2008, coming in a watershed year for the youngster, who also won Queensland Premier Colts Player of the Year award for captaining Sunnybank to the Queensland Premier Rugby Colts premiership.
Schatz was also part of Sunnybank’s Hospital Cup triumph and Queensland Premier Rugby success in 2011.
Jake Schatz
Height: 1.92m
Weight: 109kg
DOB: 25/07/1990
Position: No.8/Flanker
Place of Birth: Brisbane, QLD
Senior Club: Sunnybank
Junior Club: Sunnybank Juniors
School: Anglican Church Grammar School
Queensland Reds Caps: 16
Queensland Reds Debut: Feb 2010 v Crusaders, Suncorp Stadium
Super Rugby Caps: 16
Super Rugby Debut: Feb 2010 v Crusaders, Suncorp Stadium
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Originally Posted by mudskipper
