NSW Waratahs: Alex Newsome signs new two-year-deal

Hailing from Glen Innes in Northern New South Wales, Newsome grew up supporting the NSW Waratahs and had aspirations to one-day play for the team in Super Rugby.

A product of the New South Wales rugby pathways, Newsome honed his rugby at St Joseph's College in Hunters Hill before moving to the Eastern Suburbs in the Shute Shield after school.

A member of the NSW U20s team in 2015, he also had a successful NRC season for the NSW Country Eagles in 2016.

"We are delighted Alex has decided to stay on for another two years," NSW Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson said.

"He's a young player and I have every confidence he'll develop into a real pivotal player in the future.

"Alex is playing in a position that is not his preferred position, but he brings to the game an incredible work rate.

"He consistently tops our work rate count, which really points to a guy who wants to work hard and you need lots of those guys in your team.

"I think in time he will develop into an excellent centre, and he's just buying his time."

"A key feature of the NSW Waratahs is the number of players we have that are born and bred from New South Wales and Alex is one of those guys who has come through our pathways which is fantastic to see."

For Newsome, there quite simply is no other place he wanted to be.

"It's very exciting, I really love this club. Growing up I always wanted to be a Waratah and I was a big Tahs supporter," he said.

"It's great that all my friends and families are in New South Wales and can also support me.

"I've enjoyed this season getting the consistent starts.

"We have a good group, good backline unit and it's been great working with all the guys.

"It's going to be an exciting run home that's for sure."