‘Curious’ Fittler lifts lid on failed Waratahs talks, fresh start in France

Junior Wallabies centre Zach Fittler, the son of rugby league legend Brad, has signed a dream deal to play for Top 14 club Pau.

The 20-year-old has agreed to a one-year contract after the coach-less NSW Waratahs did not offer him a formal proposal to stay in Sydney.

Fittler impressed at the World Rugby Junior World Championship in Georgia in June-July.

He is yet to make his Super Rugby debut and Angus Crichton and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii appear likely to be the starting NSW centres next year.

The Waratahs parted ways with coach Dan McKellar after he missed the finals in both of his two years with the troubled club.

“Without a head coach there’s not much of a huge say in players and stuff,” Fittler told nine.com.au on Thursday.

“They didn’t know what the head coach was looking like, and they couldn’t offer anything at the moment, which is totally fine. The Waratahs are a fantastic club and, certainly, I would look to return back in a year or so’s time, whenever’s right.

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“But it just wasn’t the right time for the club.”

Another NSW Junior Wallabies star, Leo Jaques, has signed with the Cronulla Sharks where he will work with France rugby legend Frédéric Michalak.

Fittler will join a stacked Pau backline that includes France stars Fabien Brau-Boirie, Théo Attissogbe and Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, who all lit up Suncorp Stadium in July’s 42-26 Nations Championship win over the Wallabies.

Pau are captained by ex-All Blacks loose forward Luke Whitelock and their squad also features ex-Wallabies flyer Jack Maddocks and Argentina guns Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa.

Fittler spoke to Maddocks before signing on.

“Jack’s an old Scots (College) boy like myself, also did Waratahs and went through the Easts rugby system too,” he said.

“He’s a great guy, great player. So I’ve been keeping in touch with him recently, and he’s absolutely loved it and all the Aussie boys there are loving it, loving the experience. I’m in well capable hands over there. I’ll be looked after really well.”

Fittler said the interest from Pau came after the junior world champs.

Fittler starred in Australia’s final match against Argentina with a game-high five tackle busts and 88 post-contact metres - while flashing his old man’s famous left-foot sidestep.

Junior Wallabies teammates Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe (Castres) and Lehopoame Leota (Racing 92) both raved about their experience in France.

“Kingbenjamin and a couple of the other players who came over to join us in the World Cup from France - obviously I was curious, and I kept on asking questions,” Fittler said.

“They said they absolutely loved it, and that it’s a great comp, great scene. I absolutely loved and enjoyed my time at Tahs, and they’ve been nothing but great to me and helped me grow as a player.

“But I just thought it’d be a great idea to give some new scenery a look and give it a crack.”

The Top 14 season kicks off in September and Pau have already outlined what they want to see from the hard-charging Fittler.

“They like the way I play - they just want me to get more involved in rucks and be that ball-carrying 12. And then just be more dynamic, so they’ll just focus on the little skills, like my kicking game, my short passing, and just really make that a huge threat,” he said.

Mother Marie and father Brad were both thrilled for him.

“They’re absolutely over the moon for me. It’s a great experience, and they’ve said whatever I do, just grasp it with both hands and just take control and go for it.”

Fittler’s only regret is not studying French at Scots.

“Sadly, I wish I knew beforehand. I would have done, but I’ll be having to learn a bit of French when I get there.”

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