One of the big finds of a tough season for the Waratahs in 2024, hooker Julian Heaven has confirmed he will depart Daceyville following the completion of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.
A product from St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill, Heaven was parachuted into Darren Coleman’s Super Rugby side from Shute Shield side Eastern Suburbs in 2024 as injury cover for Dave Porecki, amidst a significant injury crisis at the Waratahs.
However, despite the significant step up, Heaven excelled at the higher level, earning his debut during Super Round in the Waratahs’ victory over the Crusaders, and going on to earn four starting caps and four caps of the bench in the 2024 season.
Despite being offered a two-year extension after 2025 by the Waratahs, Heaven is now set to pursue his rugby career in the United Kingdom following the completion of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.
“We had discussions with Julian and his management, and we attempted to retain him,” said Waratahs Acting General Manager, Andrew Cleverley in an official press statement.
“We are looking forward to Julian focussing on and enjoying a successful 2025 season.”
Previously, Heaven enjoyed a two-year stint with Top 14 side Lyon in 2020, earning two caps and progressing through the French side’s academy program. While in France, he was selected to be a part of Spains’ U20s side, off the back of family heritage – however, he would not play for the side following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He returned to Sydney in 2022, moving to Easts after previously being attached to Gordon and playing 17 of 18 matches of the regular season – where he caught the eye of the Waratahs’ coach Darren Coleman.
Heaven will be part of a rejigged Waratahs side for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season, and will be in competition for the starting Waratah position alongside former Wallaby captain Dave Porecki, Shute Shield and Major League Rugby title winner Mahe Vailanu, and new arrival from the Melbourne Rebels, Ethan Dobbins.
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