Veteran class: Why a World Cup winner wants experienced playmaker to kick on at Tahs

World Cup winner and Waratahs attack coach Mike Catt believes veteran five-eighth Jack Debreczeni is so valuable to NSW he should shelve retirement plans and play for at least another year.

Debreczeni, who will start for NSW in a crucial clash against Moana Pasifika on Friday, is weighing up his future after belatedly joining the Waratahs on a one-season deal this year. The big-kicking playmaker had intended to hang up his boots at the end of last year, following three seasons at the Brumbies and a 13-year career overall.

But Debreczeni was convinced by former Brumbies coach Dan McKellar to return for one more season in his home town of Sydney, and his experience and skill have led to him becoming the Waratahs’ first-choice No.10.

But Catt said Debreczeni’s influence around the squad in mentoring young playmakers was just as valuable, and he would be keen for the 32-year-old to play on. The former West Harbour junior said last month he’d be willing, if his body stayed healthy.

Catt is living proof that age is no barrier to success, having been a part of England’s World Cup win in 2003 at the age of 32. He also played in the final of the 2007 World Cup - his fourth - at the age of 36.

Asked if Debreczeni could play on another season, Catt said: “Very easily. There’s no question.”

“The young kids have got to learn from your experienced players. There’s not a tonne of experienced players,” Catt said.

“Somebody like a Joey Fowler or a Jack Bowen, these guys have had to teach themselves. Or Tane Edmed last year. They’ve had to teach themselves how to play Super Rugby, let alone international rugby.

“When you’ve got somebody like a Jack Debreczeni, he can hold the hand of a Joey Fowler and a Lawson Creighton, and show them how to do it without the pressures of them being in it. It creates some special players on the back of it.

“Just the way he speaks, his demeanour, his body language, how he runs the whole week. And for me as well, I can focus on other players. I don’t need to focus on Jack. And that’s the beauty about it. You don’t have to worry about him. And he will help you out and help the team on the back of it.

“He’s well capable. He’s calm. Nothing really fazes him. It’s great to have him in the team.”

The Waratahs will need all of Debreczeni’s composure against Moana Pasifika on Friday night. Up against a side that has only had one win all year, NSW would normally be strong favourites but Moana Pasifika not only have the wood on the Tahs – they’ve won their last three encounters – but they’ll be highly motivated after a turbulent week.

Moana Pasifika owners announced on Wednesday the club would fold at the end of the season, leaving players scrambling to find new clubs.

“It’s a crying shame,” Catt said. “I don’t know too much detail but, yeah, they’ll want to prove stuff.

“And I think they have done this season. They have a lot of X-factor, a lot of big bodies in their team. And it’s just making sure that when they come to the Allianz tomorrow night that we’re able to contain it and put our stamp on the game.”

After beating the Brumbies and losing to the Chiefs before a bye last weekend, Catt said the Waratahs had to be accurate to be consistent.

“All in all, we’re three from seven. And I think we’ve played against the top teams in the competition,” he said.

“They’ve been very tough and we’ve learned quite a lot over the past seven, eight weeks in terms of what needs to be done and where we need to go.

“We’re creating enough in these games and then our accuracy is just letting us down from an attack point of view. And then defensively, we’ve got to stop the teams from scoring those tries. And especially that final 20 minutes, we really need to dig in and really make sure that we make teams earn their points rather than just gifting them to them.

Catt said he was looking forward to catching up with Prince Harry, who will be attending the Waratahs game and likely visiting the dressing room post-game.

“I’ve known Harry for a long time. He was involved with the England set-up when Clive Woodward was there, from early doors,” he said. “He loves his rugby. He genuinely loves his rugby. I think some of the boys are pretty excited to meet him. Or meet Meghan, one of the two.”