Will Miller has accepted a one-year contract extension with the NSW Waratahs, after the backrower pounced on an unexpected opportunity to start in Super Rugby.
Miller joined the Tahs for 2018 after breaking into Super Rugby last year, when he earned a short-term contract with the Melbourne Rebels.
He made a handful of appearances for the Victorian franchise before signing for his home-state team.
Playing in the same openside flanker position as Tahs captain Michael Hooper, 25-year-old Miller earned four caps off the bench early in the 2018 season.
He was handed a start at blindside flanker for games against the Sunwolves and Reds last month.
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"Getting an opportunity at the blindside is something I wasn't really expecting but I'll' take it with both hands and grab at it," MIller said on Tuesday.
"I've always wanted to be a Waratah and I am one now and look forward to playing for another season with them."
He was restored to the bench for the Waratahs last game against the LIons, with coach Daryl Gibson opting for a bigger pack.
Miller was philosophical about that decision which resulted in Wallaby Ned Hanigan shifting from lock to blindside flanker.
"It depends what team we're playing (and) if they've got a really strong lineout and scrum like the Lions did," Miller said.
"That's when I get put on the bench because obviously you need more tall timber and bigger players for those positions.
"But hopefully against some of the faster teams I can be pushing my way into that (number) six position."
That could lead to Miller earning promotion to the starting side for Saturday's clash with a mobile Blues outfit in Sydney.
He stressed the Waratahs were focusing on that game and had left behind any off-field buzz generated by incidents involving backs Israel Folau and Nick Phipps.
Miller said he had been doing a lot of work on his lineout jumping, a key area for a blindside flanker.
