GARETH Milasinovich’s first appearance for Worcester Warriors may have lasted just over a minute, but head coach Carl Hogg believes the ‘one-off’ prop has the ability to become a regular at Sixways.
The 22-year-old made his senior debut for the club when he replaced Joe Rees in the closing stages of Warriors’ clash against La Rochelle.
But moments after coming on he was sent marching back after being pinged in his first scrum and then yellow carded.
Despite his infamous start to his Worcester career, Hogg handed the South African the number three jersey to face Zebre last Saturday.
And the Warriors boss said the academy ace has proven that he can play at the highest level following his arrival from the University of Johannesburg this summer.
“I think Gareth is a one-off as he has got the physical ability to cope at European level and Premiership level,” Hogg said.
“He is one heck of a physical specimen, but it is whether he can technically deliver under pressure and that’s why games in this competition are key for us.”
Milasinovich, who can play either side of the front row, joined Yorkshire Carnegie on dual registration last month and Hogg said admitted the prop had a lot to learn to become a top scrummager.
“He has got huge potential, but one of his challenges is to be able to produce that consistently on the field,” Hogg added.
“You can practise scrums in training, but when you are live in a game and you are fatigued then it is about holding your mind and head to be able to deliver around the set-piece and scrum.
“It is a difficult skill and it is tough to do, but if he gets that right, then he becomes a huge bonus for us.”