“There’s always interest [from overseas clubs], I guess. I probably put myself in a pretty good position on the back end of the year and the start of this year. I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t interest. But like I said, whatever happens and falls into place will be the right move.”
Losing Gamble will be a blow for the Waratahs, given his outstanding form – and its correlation with the Tahs’ undefeated start to the Super Rugby season.
Josh van der Flier of the British and Irish Lions is tackled by Waratah Charlie Gamble during a tour match last year at Allianz StadiumCredit: Getty Images
Having debuted for the Waratahs in 2021, Gamble held down the No.7 jumper in Michael Hooper’s absence in 2022, and was so good he was moved to No.6 when the Wallabies skipper returned from a Japanese sabbatical.
Gamble has been a mainstay of the Waratahs since – this weekend is his 59th game – but with the capacity to be brilliant or quiet, he was challenged to find consistency last year by coach Dan McKellar.
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“I always say to Charlie, when he plays well, we play well,” McKellar said.
Those comments came after the Tahs’ round one win over Queensland, when Gamble was outstanding, and a second strong game against the Fijian Drua followed.
Gamble is ranked first at the Waratahs for tackles, breakdown penalties won and defensive ruck entries, and second for attacking ruck entries and tackle success – and all areas so far at increased per-game levels than any other season.
The arrival of Samu has been a big plus for Gamble, and a reunion. The pair played together when Christchurch-raised Gamble was with the Crusaders academy in 2015.
“I was looking at some of his stats – he won two titles and he played like 36 games and won 35 of them, it’s crazy,” Gamble said.
“He just allows me to play my own natural game and we see what he’s like with ball in hand and ball on edge. I feel like I can do a little bit of the dirtier work through the middle, so I feel like we complement each other really well.”
Ahead of Super Rugby’s club rugby round, Gamble shared his journey of coming to Sydney after missing selection in the New Zealand under 20s, and re-finding his love for the game by playing suburban rugby for Petersham. He moved to Easts after a year, and won a NSW contract, too.
Gamble won a Shute Shield with Easts in 2024, but has moved to Gordon this year, along with Miles Amatosero. Gamble said the number of professional players at Easts had been a factor given they couldn’t all be on the field at the same time under the Shute Shield’s points system.
Charlie Gamble playing for Petersham, Canterbury and NSWCredit: Getty, SPA Images
“I love the boys down there, love the club,” Gamble explained. “For me, I felt like I needed a bit of change. My best mate Joey Walton, who plays for Gordon … he was picking at me for a bit, so I guess I gave in and made the move.”
Easts subsequently requested the Sydney Rugby Union investigate rumours of Gordon paying Gamble and Amatosero a transfer fee, which is prohibited for contracted players under new laws this year. Sydney Rugby Union general manager Peter Watkins confirmed on Tuesday the matter had been investigated and no wrong-doing was found.