Waratahs eye Taranaki's James

1.00pm

The Waratahs Super 12 rugby franchise could yet foil the Hurricanes' plans to snare in-form Australian first five-eighth Brock James.

The 22-year-old from Sydney has been a revelation for Taranaki in the NPC, so much so that Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie is sitting up across the Tasman taking notice.

Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper has already asked the New Zealand Rugby Union to rule on whether the former Australian sevens player is eligible, but that outcome could become irrelevant.

McKenzie told the Dominion Post from Sydney last night that James had bulldozed his way into contention for the Waratahs' troublesome No 10 jersey.

"I've been watching the tapes and his form is good," McKenzie said.

"He's one of a couple of options we're considering, the lad is playing well.

"I've seen tapes from the first four games but I've not seen footage from last week where they got a bit of a beating (losing 51-22 to Auckland), so I'll be interested to see that. I'm a big man on consistency, playing well week in, week out."

McKenzie was aware the Hurricanes were showing an interest in James but the coach's relaxed nature suggested that if both franchises came knocking then the young pivot would return to Sydney.

"These eligibility things crop up all the time and normally they take care of themselves. He's Australian."

Such confidence is bad news for Cooper, who is faced with a paucity of first five-eighth options after David Holwell's recent decision to finish his career with Leinster in Ireland.

Cooper may be forced to take a punt on Riki Flutey or dip into the draft and see what it throws up.

James was languishing in the Waratahs' development team and, with no obvious Super 12 prospects behind journeyman Tim Donnelly and Shaun Berne, asked his agent to make some inquiries about playing abroad.

He indicated his commitment to the switch by heading to Taranaki in March to play a full club season.

James admitted yesterday the move to Taranaki raised eyebrows back home.

"A few of my mates said, 'where is this place you are going?', but everyone was very supportive of my move and I've had a great time," he said.

He brushed off the prospect of having to decide between the Waratahs and the Hurricanes.

"I don't think it will come to that -- but I'm just concentrating on the NPC at the moment."

- NZPA

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